Farm higher inheritance tax rate ‘does not go far enough’

Post published:December 24, 2025
Post category:BBC Cornwall
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Farmers in Cornwall have said the government's climbdown on inheritance tax has not gone far enough.On Tuesday, the government said it would raise the inheritance tax (IHT) relief threshold for farmers from £1m to £2.5m for the 20% tax it announced in April.Labour MP for Truro and Falmouth Jayne Kirkham defended the government's U-turn and said the new threshold "would exempt the vast majority of our working family farmers".Maria Warne-Elston, 23, a fifth generation farmer in Cornwall, said…

Somerset conservationists work to save rare UK plant

Post published:December 24, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
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Conservationists in Somerset are attempting to save one of the UK's rarest plants from the brink of extinction.The starved wood-sedge (also known as Carex depauperate) is only found in two sites nationwide, one of which is in Axbridge in Somerset.It has been struggling to survive and so The Species Recovery Trust has moved some plants into captivity to "bulk up" its numbers in the hope of establishing two new populations within the Mendip Hills National Landscape.The starved wood-sedge…

‘Chance of snow’ in South West on cold Christmas Day

Post published:December 24, 2025
Post category:BBC Cornwall
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There could be snowfall in the south-west of England on Christmas day, a forecaster has said.Even though forecasters have not predicted a white Christmas on 25 December, there's "a very small chance" of snow falling on Dartmoor as afternoon rain showers push into parts of Devon and Cornwall, the Met Office said.Devon and Cornwall are expected to see a low of -1C (30F) and a high of 5C (41F) on Thursday with easterly winds causing big waves for…

Australia’s NSW passes tough anti-protest, gun laws after Bondi attack | Protests News

Post published:December 24, 2025
Post category:Al Jazeera
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Palestinian, Jewish and Indigenous groups say they will launch constitutional challenge to anti-protest laws described as ‘rushed’.The state of New South Wales (NSW) will have the toughest gun laws in Australia as well as wide-reaching new restrictions on free speech in the wake of the Bondi Beach mass shooting, which left 15 people dead.Less than two weeks after the attack on a Jewish celebration, new legislation was passed by the state’s legislative assembly in the early hours of…

Olly Woodburn: Exeter back’s versatility impressing boss Rob Baxter

Post published:December 24, 2025
Post category:Devon News
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Exeter boss Rob Baxter says Olly Woodburn's recent performances could justify a new deal for the veteran back.The 34-year-old impressed in a first start at full-back in the dramatic win at Saracens on Saturday and he has also covered at centre in recent seasons. Woodburn has scored 60 tries in 185 games for the Chiefs since joining in 2015, but is out of contract at the end of this season. "Right here and now it's going to be…

Devon couple set up free Christmas Day lunch for those in need

Post published:December 24, 2025
Post category:Devon News
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Olivia ProwseOlivia Prowse, here with husband Mat, says helping others beats sitting at homeA woman who will spend Christmas making free lunches for people in need says it is "the right thing to do".Olivia Prowse, 58, from Loddiswell, Devon, has organised the event on 25 December, alongside husband Mat, to help people who would otherwise be alone or struggling on Christmas Day.Mrs Prowse said 13 people had signed up to attend the event in the village near Kingsbridge,…

Bristol couple write children’s book to honour night-shift staff

Post published:December 24, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
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BBCTim and Katie Hodkinson wanted to recognise the sacrifices of night-shift staff during the festive periodWhile most families are spending time together over the next few days, many healthcare workers will be on shift looking after those who need it most. Now Dr Tim Hodkinson and his wife, dental nurse Kate Hodkinson, have released a children's book, 'Twas the Night Shift Before Christmas', to honour medical staff who work over the festive period instead of spending time with…

South West traders say Christmas has been ‘stressful but fun’

Post published:December 24, 2025
Post category:BBC Cornwall
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James TrevettCombe Garden Centre manager James Trevett (left) said the Christmas period was a "stressful fun" timeTraders in the South West say Christmas continues to be a vital time of year - even if it is "stressful".The festive period is traditionally an important time for businesses with many building displays and stocking up to target shoppers looking for gifts.Some businesses in Devon and Cornwall have decided to focus purely on the festivities by becoming Christmas tree farms or…

RNLI volunteers prepare to help those in need over Christmas

Post published:December 24, 2025
Post category:Devon News
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Darren Blight"Knowing we can make a difference is what keeps us going," says Wes FosterRNLI volunteers said it was "never easy leaving loved ones" at Christmas to attend a coastal emergency, but "making a difference" made it worthwhile.Wes Foster, a member of the Plymouth RNLI team, said: "Being on call means we're always ready to step away from the celebrations at a moment's notice to help someone in need."Johnny Bray, from Lizard lifeboat crew, in Cornwall, said "we're…

John Inman’s legacy lives on through dame costumes in Weymouth

Post published:December 24, 2025
Post category:BBC Dorset
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Sophie CridlandSouth of EnglandBBCAbout 20 of John Inman's pantomime dame costumes are now owned by Weymouth pantomime dame Jamie RidingA larger than life wig, more make up than you feel comfortable in and a big frilly dress are what makes a traditional pantomime dame.The comedic character is traditionally a male in drag and the late actor, John Inman, played the dame many times.Some of the Are You Being Served? TV legend's costumes have been handed down to the…

Kingston Maurward House roof repair plans ‘would cause harm’

Post published:December 24, 2025
Post category:BBC Dorset
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Trevor BevinsLocal Democracy Reporting ServiceLDRSKingston Maurward House has been described as "a fine example of a Georgian English country housePlans to use a synthetic covering to repair the roof of a Grade 1 listed manor house "would cause harm" to the building's historic status, experts have said. The agricultural college based at Kingston Maurward House, near Dorchester in Dorset, has applied to replace a flat roof to prevent leaks.But Historic England said the materials proposed would be "not…

Winterstoke Road Bridge to be demolished amid £11m scheme

Post published:December 24, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
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Bea SwallowWest of EnglandNorth Somerset CouncilWinterstoke Road Bridge was built in the early 1940s and is now reaching the end of its safe lifespanA historic bridge which played a vital role in a town's war effort will be demolished when the railway tracks fall quiet on Christmas Day.Winterstoke Road Bridge in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, was built in 1941 to provide access to the RAF's aeroplane production factory in Oldmixon.North Somerset Council said due to its age, "it is now…