Monthly Archives: December 2025

Dartmoor National Park Authority appoints new chief executive

Dartmoor National Park Authority appoints new chief executive

Dartmoor National Park Authority has appointed a new chief executive following a "rigorous selection process". Tom Surrey said he was delighted to take up the role and had a "lifelong connection" with Dartmoor. He said he looked forward to shaping a bright and sustainable future for the national park. "Dartmoor is an exceptionally special place," he added.Mr Surrey joins the authority from the Department of Health and Social Care where he served as director of adult social care…

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South Devon residents urged to lock doors after house thefts

South Devon residents urged to lock doors after house thefts

People are being urged by police to lock their doors overnight after incidents where car keys and personal items have been taken from homes. Devon and Cornwall Police said homes across south Devon including Torquay, Newton Abbot, Teignmouth and Paignton had been targeted.The force said officers had made several arrests in relation to burglary and vehicle theft, with some offenders already convicted and facing sentencing next year.Det Sgt Jason Parsons, from south Devon criminal investigation department (CID) team,…

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Grants to help young women in Cornwall explore aviation careers

Grants to help young women in Cornwall explore aviation careers

A project which helps inspire girls and young women to develop a career in aviation, aerospace and engineering has been given a government grant of nearly £100,000.TECwomen CIC said the funding would help it deliver its TECgirls Reach for the Sky festival and Take Flight education programme.Two other projects in Cornwall were awarded funding from the government's £750,000 Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund designed to inspire young people to explore careers in aviation.Aerobility was given £60,589 to…

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Debate over Tamar crossing tag admin charge rise

Debate over Tamar crossing tag admin charge rise

Lee TrewhelaLocal Democracy Reporting ServiceTomasz Maciulewicz/BBCCampaigners are concerned about increased costs to cross the Tamar A proposed 150% increase to the monthly admin fee to cross the Tamar Bridge and use the Torpoint Ferry is to be debated at an extraordinary meeting.MPs and councillors have been largely critical of the proposed increase for people who regularly cross the River Tamar for work, education and Derriford hospital appointments.The proposed increase from 80p to £2 a month for users of…

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Seven Torquay hotels fail child exploitation checks

Seven Torquay hotels fail child exploitation checks

Only one out of eight hotels questioned an older guest checking in with an underage child, an undercover police operation has found.Officers from the Torquay Neighbourhood Police Team, with support from Police Cadets, said they recently carried out an evening of action around child exploitation.It was done as part of the national initiative Operation Makesafe, which is designed to "empower businesses and organisations to tackle child exploitation" and to "increase awareness and training of early warning signs".A plain-clothed…

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Warning as bird flu found in dead swans near Dorchester

Warning as bird flu found in dead swans near Dorchester

A warning has been issued by a council after bird flu was confirmed in several swans found dead on the outskirts of Dorchester.The swans were found in Fordington near a public footpath popular with dog walkers.Dorset Council said it was working with the landowner and government agencies to reduce any risk to the public with the area being monitored and warning signs set to be placed on nearby footpaths.Residents and visitors to the area are being asked not…

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Rainfall helps West Country recover from prolonged dry spell

Rainfall helps West Country recover from prolonged dry spell

Bea SwallowWest of EnglandPA MediaEngland experienced the second driest six-month period (from March to August) since records began in 1871Recent heavy rainfall has pulled the west of England into "recovery" status following an extensive dry spell.Prolonged dry weather status – a precursor to drought – was announced on 10 July by the Environment Agency (EA) for its Wessex area, which includes Bristol, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and parts of south Gloucestershire. The warning followed the driest spring in a…

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Sir David Attenbrrr among ice cold BCP Council gritter names

Sir David Attenbrrr among ice cold BCP Council gritter names

Sir David Attenbrrr, Ice Ice Maybe and Slip Not are among the names chosen for a council's fleet of road gritters.Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council asked residents to suggest "witty, wintry and wonderful" names for its fleet of 13 gritters.The council said it received more than 1,000 suggestions to its naming challenge - Sir David Attenbrrr is already on duty - with names currently being added to the remaining 12 vehicles.BCP's gritter fleet looks after 780 miles…

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Santas limber up for festive Weymouth Beach charity pudding chase

Santas limber up for festive Weymouth Beach charity pudding chase

Dozens of Santas are due to gather on Weymouth beach for the resort's festive Chase the Pudding charity race.The annual sprint along the beach sees a pudding pursued by about 200 runners along a three-mile (5km) route from the Pavilion to Greenhill and back again.The festive run in Dorset also features a Chase the Elf 1.2-mile (2km) run for under-14s, and raises funds for the Will Mackaness Trust. Running Santas need to register for the race on Sunday…

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US pushes for ceasefire in Sudan’s civil war as Kordofan violence escalates | Sudan war News

The United States is pressing for an immediate humanitarian truce in Sudan as fighting intensifies across the vast strategic Kordofan region, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio warning that the relentless violence is “horrifying” and all those involved will face lasting condemnation.Speaking at a year-end news conference on Friday, Rubio said the fighting in Sudan needed to stop, adding that the new year was a “great opportunity for both sides to agree to that” and allow desperately needed…

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Free Christmas parking ‘a nice surprise’ say Taunton shopkeepers

Free Christmas parking ‘a nice surprise’ say Taunton shopkeepers

Independent businesses have welcomed a town council's decision to foot the bill for parking charges for central car parks in the run-up to Christmas.Taunton Town Council is paying Somerset Council a fee so that people can use 10 of their car parks free of charge for the final Saturdays before Christmas.The move is part of an effort to support local shops and boost the festive atmosphere in the town and has been welcomed by business owners."It's a nice…

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