Good week
Blue Chip Vacations in Exeter has seen a ‘healthy rise in bookings’ due to the vocalic ash that has halted flights throughout Europe. Managing director Alan Taylor said: “Naturally, people have become concerned about flight certainty, especially when the impact of threatened BA strikes is added into the mix. As a result, holidays in Devon and the South West have become increasingly popular, and we are actively looking to encourage visitors to the region.
Devon County Council and Exeter City Council are welcoming back the Halfords Tour Series cycle race in Exeter on Thursday, June 3. In 2009 more than 12,000 spectators turned out for the race and it generated an additional £470,000 in visitor spending in the city. This year’s event boasts 10 of Britain’s strongest cycling teams, and a line-up of some of Britain’s best Olympic and elite cyclists including Ed Clancy, Chris Newton and Rob Hayles.
Beetroot is the new super veg, according to new research from Exeter University, which reveals how drinking beetroot juice reduces energy expended by muscles. The new research builds on a previous study which showed that drinking beetroot juice can boost stamina by up to 16 per cent. See our science story
Bad Week
After spending £330,000 on the rebrand of the merged North and East Devon Colleges to create the much-maligned Petroc brand, the college needs to reduce running costs by £2 million, with possibly 99 jobs under threat.
Exeter’s Heavitree Arch, which is under fire again after the costs associated with the public art work have increased and the panels on the art work have found to be rusty and may be replaced. See Issue of the Week.