The Exeter Daily - #Exeter

Devon man wins silver for the UK at INBA Natural Bodybuilding World Championship

everydayadonis — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 15:31:40 +0000

Devon based model and entrepreneur Ed Akay made his Men’s Physique bodybuilding competition aged 40 in May 2024, by mid June he had won silver medal for the UK at the INBA Natural Bodybuilding Championship in the Netherlands.

Ed was part of Team UK (organised by UKDFBA – UK Drug Free Bodybuilding) and competed in two categories, Physically Challenged (where he won silver) and Mens Master Physique over 40 where he held his own against very experienced competition. What makes this story even more unique is that Ed was the only competitor in the contest to compete in both a physically challenged contest (Ed is partially paralysed in his left foot due to a childhood illness) and an “able bodied contest”.

Ed and his trainer Matthew White of MW Strength and Performance have been working together for 4 years on a journey that started as a charity fitness challenge during lockdown to Ed resuming his modelling career aged then 37 and eventually appearing on over 60 magazine covers and now making the step to the international bodybuilding stage.

Matthew White (CEO of MW Strength & Performance) Says: “Sometimes you can run into destiny, Ed has done that pages over and it’s been a humbling experience in this book since chapter 1.”

Chris Honor (Founder of Honor Athletic, Ed's Clothing Sponsor) Says: “Ed’s passion and drive for overcoming challenges is a reason I work with people like Ed, who have an unrivalled mentality to overcome challenges and become forever stronger. It is testament to his and Matt's dedication and attention to detail that has been reflected in Ed's achievement so early in his bodybuilding career.”

Visit Build It Live at Westpier Point, Exeter on 9 & 10 September 2023

PenningtonPR — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 19:34:07 +0000

Build It Magazine Launches NEW South West Exhibition for 2023

Build It incorporating SelfBuild & Design have added a new show to their existing Build It Live exhibitions and tickets are now on sale for a new show taking place at Westpoint Arena in Exeter on 9 and 10 September 2023.

All the Build It Live shows are designed to help find everyday solutions to perfectly manage a home building or renovation project and the Exeter show will be no exception as it will also offer a weekend of inspiration with top tips and expert self build property advice all under one roof.

Chris Batesmith, Editor of Build It Magazine which organises the Build It Live Shows said:

“At Build It magazine we have been providing expert guidance to self builders and renovators for the past 30 years. All our Build It Live shows bring together leading suppliers who will be showcasing all the latest innovations. Our visitors can also book free one to one advice sessions with Build It’s independent experts and listen to free seminars in the Build It Live theatre. The seminars and workshops cover a wide range of topics including how to find land and secure planning permission, the different routes available for managing a self build project and how to renovate a home with character, carry out a successful barn conversation or update an old house for modern eco living.

“Visitors can also listen to the popular sessions where Build It magazine readers take to the stage to share their own stories with tips and advice on how to avoid common pitfalls when taking on a self build project.”

Introduced last year the hugely popular Sustainable Building Products Pavilion will also be at the Exeter show.

Whether building from scratch or renovating an old house, if you want a truly sustainable, healthy home, then every aspect of your project needs to be considered in detail – from low-energy design strategies through to the products and finishes that go into both the structural fabric and the internal fit-out. A visit to the Sustainable Building Products Pavilion, in association with The Alliance for Sustainable Building Products (ASBP), is ideal to receive advice and source some of the UK’s best eco products on the market.

With heating being a current hot topic, the Heating Advice Clinic has plenty of guidance on the best heating systems available for your home right now together with all the latest information on government grants available for installing air and ground source heat pumps.

Financial experts will also be on hand to advise on how to finance your project.

What’s included with a visit to ‘Build It Live’

From cutting-edge products to traditional suppliers and companies, Build It Live offers so much to suit your style and your budget! Understanding the choice of products and deciding which ones are right for you is best achieved face-to-face so this event showcases thousands of products in one place.

Ask Our Experts

Experts from Build It Magazine will provide FREE impartial guidance on any part of your own project whether it’s a self build, renovation or home extension. Bring along your plans and ideas and save thousands on consultancy fees by asking our experts. It is best to book your one to one appointment when you first arrive at the show.

The Land Zone

Visit the Land Zone, brought to you by PlotBrowser – the online portal dedicated to finding real building plots across the UK including barn conversion opportunities. Discover the various routes to finding the right plot for your build. The Land Zone will offer valuable tips for finding land, and you’ll be able to browse live listings currently for sale, which makes it easier to secure your very own piece of land.

Build It Live Clinics and Demonstrations

Several free advice seminars and demonstration clinics will take place through the weekend including:

Heating Advice Clinic

Basement Advice Clinic

Extensions Advice Clinic

Build Cost Clinic

Sustainable Building Products Pavilion

Visit the Sustainable Building Products Pavilion, in association with The Alliance for Sustainable Building Products (ASBP), to gain advice and source some of the UK’s best eco products on the market.

Where to buy tickets

Tickets are now on sale from the website. The standard ticket price will be £12 per person. Children under 16 are admitted free with an accompanying adult.

Open Saturday between 10am and 5pm and Sunday between 10am and 4.30pm. Tickets are valid on either day or can be used to attend on both days.

For further information and to book tickets for Build It Live in the South West visit www.builditlive.co.uk

When purchasing tickets, all paying visitors will have the opportunity to purchase a 12 month subscription to Build It Magazine with a huge discount for only £19.99.

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Event Date

Saturday, September 9, 2023 - 10:30am to Sunday, September 10, 2023 - 4:30pm

Venue

Westpoint Arena

Air Marketing launches online sales training academy

Air Marketing — Sat, 10 Jun 2023 09:04:17 +0000

Exeter-based sales and marketing agency, Air Marketing, has announced further expansion with the launch of a virtual sales training academy to help businesses upskill their sales teams – The SDR Academy by Air Sales Academy.

The SDR Academy is designed to help businesses across the UK, train Sales Development Representatives (SDRs) in skills including cold calling, social selling, email writing, and objection handling. All sessions are live and interactive, allowing delegates to ask questions as they learn.

Delivering the live sessions will be trainers like Erik Pollitt, a Sales Trainer & Consultant with over fifteen years of experience (including as Learning & Performance Manager at ao.com), Owen Richards (Air’s Founder & CEO) and James Ski (Founder of Sales Confidence).

Erik said: “Many businesses want to create a comprehensive training package for sales staff but don’t have the time, money, or experience. This is where Air’s Sales Academy comes into its own. With over 100 sessions on offer, delegates can attend as many or as few sessions as they want, whether they’re working from home or the office.

We offer an ongoing training solution. One that sees your sales reps experience industry leading training sessions every week. And with a cost of as little as £15 per person per session, companies will see a fantastic return on their investment.”

Owen Richards, Founder & CEO of Air Marketing, continued: “We’ve been providing sales support to companies across the country for several years, employing and training SDRs. As a part of that journey we have built a best-in-class training academy internally, and it makes sense to open that experience up to other organisations. We’re perfectly placed to offer relevant, innovative, and effective SDR training, and help other companies get the most out of their investment in sales roles.

It’s been exciting pulling all of the content together and now we’re able to offer this brand-new service to businesses that want to improve their sales results and see tangible results. I’m just looking forward to getting started.”

To find out more about The SDR Academy, visit the website here, or call 0345 241 3038.

Exeter golf captains get in the swing for hospital charity

Andy Keeble — Sat, 20 May 2023 07:48:46 +0000

Golfers at the Exeter Golf and Country Club have teed off a year of fundraising for the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

Men’s and ladies’ 2023-24 golf captains Geoff Fidler and Vicki Rogers have chosen the RD&E Charity as their charity of the year and hope to raise £20,000 to support the hospital’s oncology department.

The department treated Geoff for prostate cancer more than a decade ago, and again last year, when his cancer returned.

He said: “Throughout my time in radiotherapy, I met many other cancer patients who were also being treated by the marvellous team of radiologists, and like myself, had nothing but praise and admiration for the staff who cared for us.

“I really wanted to give something back by raising funds to help further improve the facilities within the oncology department, and together with the help of Vicki, we have set a target of £20,000.”

Geoff and Vicki plan to hold a series of events during their captaincy year, including ladies’ and men’s pro-am events and captaincy days.

They have already raised more than £1,000 and boosted their efforts further this week with the 15th Annual Ladies’ Charity Pro-am on Tuesday (May 16). More than 100 players graced the greens at the parkland golf course on Topsham Road, raising £2,752.25.

Vicki said: “We had a super day of golf and are delighted to have been able to raise so much money for the RD&E Charity, as well as awareness about how the charity makes such a difference to local people.

“Any donation no matter how small, will help our hospital provide better facilities over and above what’s possible with NHS funding.”

Debbie Allen, fundraiser at the RD&E Charity, said: “We are thrilled that Geoff and Vicki have decided to use their captaincy year to help their local hospitals go the extra mile for local patients and their families.

“Every pound raised will fund the things that make a big difference, and bring moments of joy, comfort and hope to those who need it most.”

To make a donation to Geoff and Vicki’s captaincy fundraising, visit https://rdecharity.enthuse.com/pf/geoff-fidler

Former residents speak in support of threatened Exeter homeless project

DebbieGranville — Tue, 16 May 2023 14:36:35 +0000

Former residents of an Exeter project which provides accommodation and support for people at risk of homelessness or rough sleeping, say they fear lives could be at risk if it closes under proposed council cuts.

Gabriel House has played a central role in preventing homelessness and rough sleeping in Exeter for more than 10 years.

Employing 11 staff, 42 residents are supported 24/7 to address health problems, develop life skills and work with other services to build support networks, before moving into sustainable accommodation.

In the last year alone, 98 people have been housed at Gabriel House and provided with specialist support to develop independent living skills before moving on into independent accommodation.

Devon County Council is considering removing its contribution to the ‘Homelessness 18+ Prevention Fund’ from 30 September. This essential funding supports a number of organisations engaged in homelessness prevention, including Gabriel House.

Charitable housing trust BCHA, which operates Gabriel House on behalf of Devon County Council, has recorded a series of podcasts with former Gabriel House residents, in which they talk of its profound effect on their lives.

Rebecca Harrison says Gabriel House became her family when she found herself homeless.

“I had nothing. But now I have a support network and friends, which has helped me to become independent and improve my confidence.

“The team at Gabriel House helped me to obtain therapeutic support and provided training, opening up opportunities for the future. I now have a Level 2 certificate in Food Hygiene and I’m studying a Level 3 course in Management and Peer Mentoring.

“I have my own place and have become a volunteer at Gabriel House, which means I can support other people. Eventually I would like to work as a Housing Support Worker for BCHA. Gabriel House changed my life.”

Former resident Dan Martins agreed: “I came to Gabriel House after leaving prison. It stopped me going on the streets.”

Dan also went on to help create a café there for other isolated people.

“Gabriel House has helped us feel normal, part of the community,” he continued.

“I think there will be a rise in crime if these services close because people on the streets are vulnerable and do what they have to do to survive.”

Nathan O’Conner came to Gabriel House from being on the streets and was a resident for four months before moving into his own accommodation.

He said: “I lost my job as a chef and the accommodation that went with it. I was homeless and suicidal. But Gabriel House helped me with my mental health and my finances. The staff are there when you have down days and know how to help you get back on top of things.

“I don’t think I would be here without Gabriel House. There are a lot of people on the streets of Exeter and there are going to be a lot more if this funding is cut.”

BCHA is a leading provider of services for people experiencing homelessness across the south west.

Caroline Moylan, Chief Operating Officer at BCHA, said: “Unless alternative funding can be identified to support Gabriel House, its removal will result in the loss of much needed supported housing provision.

“This would place more than 40 people who have complex support needs at immediate risk of homelessness, with far-reaching and long-lasting consequences for homelessness and rough sleeping in Exeter.

“We appeal to Devon County Council to retain this vital funding lifeline, so the service can continue to support people who have experienced trauma as they rebuild their lives.”

BCHA is working closely with stakeholders, commissioners and partners to try and identify a viable solution that will enable Gabriel House and other essential homelessness prevention services to remain open.

Devon County Council held a public consultation on its plans. This closed on April 19. They are currently reviewing responses and an announcement is believed to be scheduled for July.

To listen to the Gabriel House podcasts please follow these links:

Dan and Rebecca: https://www.bcha.org.uk/media/talk-shows/episode-nine-%E2%80%93-the-future-of-gabriel-house-part-1/

Nathan: https://www.bcha.org.uk/media/talk-shows/episode-nine-%E2%80%93-the-future-of-gabriel-house-part-2/

A Premium Whisky Blind Tasting Event

Azu Spirits — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 10:45:40 +0000

Local spirits tasting specialist, Azu Spirits, are hosting their first blind tasting event at Exeter Golf and Country Club on Thursday 26th January at Wear Park Restaurant. Following a range of successful guided tasting events in Devon, Azu Spirits are now offering their signature blind tasting experience at this exclusive event, which will explore a diverse collection of premium single malt Scotch whisky.

Blind tasting presents an entertaining way to scrutinise these superior single malts and focus on their distinct differences before discovering the fascinating stories behind each brand.

The events will feature six numbered sharing bottles including Oban 14, Bowmore 15 Darkest, Glendronach 15 Revival, Glengoyne 18, Lagavulin 8 and Glen Moray 10 Chardonnay Cask. Azu Spirits will present and guide the tasting experience, revealing the brand by a luxury wax-sealed ‘reveal’ envelope. Guests will use exclusive Glencairn nosing glasses with water pipettes to enjoy the full tasting experience and challenge their tastebuds.

Ellie from Azu Spirits said, “Centred around sharing, our social blind tasting experiences create a space where fellow whisky lovers can gather together and delve deep into the fascinating flavours, history and production of single malt Scotch whisky. So close to Burns Night, it’s a perfect place to raise a drink to Scotland’s national Bard and Azu will provide a small collection of his poetry.”

Tickets are £25 per person and include the six premium single malts and nibbles.

Thursday 26th January – 7pm for 7.30pm

Head to https://exetergcc.co.uk/events/whisky-tasting-with-azu-spirits/ to book.

The Exeter Daily - #Exeter

Devon man wins silver for the UK at INBA Natural Bodybuilding World Championship

Visit Build It Live at Westpier Point, Exeter on 9 & 10 September 2023

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Air Marketing launches online sales training academy

Exeter golf captains get in the swing for hospital charity

Former residents speak in support of threatened Exeter homeless project

A Premium Whisky Blind Tasting Event

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Image

Event Date

Category

Venue