Somerset owner ban after horses found with “bones protruding”

Post published:December 30, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
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A man has been banned from keeping horses for seven years after the RSPCA found animals in his care to be "severely underweight" and "in need of urgent care".Kevin Roper, of Turnpike Road in Axbridge, Somerset, admitted an animal welfare offence and was ordered to pay £400 costs and a £240 victim surcharge during sentencing at North Somerset Magistrates' Court on 15 December.An RSPCA investigation found he had failed to give his three cob-type horses "the care they…

Devon residents asked to donate used Christmas trees for otters

Post published:December 30, 2025
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An animal charity has asked people to donate their real Christmas trees to create natural playgrounds for rescued otter cubs.The UK Wild Otter Trust, based in north Devon, said the trees provided enrichment for the animals and gave them the chance to play, explore and hide.The trust said otters were "famously elusive creatures, and in their natural environment, they rely on vegetation for shelter and safety" and "Christmas trees can recreate these conditions perfectly".The trust said it could…

A decimated Gaza marks the end of another year of Israeli bombs | Israel-Palestine conflict News

Post published:December 30, 2025
Post category:Al Jazeera
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Over the past year, Gaza’s infrastructure has been subjected to a devastating reality.What once functioned under strain has been pushed beyond the point of collapse. Electricity networks, water systems, hospitals, roads and municipal services have been systematically destroyed or severely damaged, leaving daily life defined by survival.It is not unusual for families to plan their days around the sound of generators, if fuel is available at all. Parents and children queue for hours for a few litres of…

Firefighters tackle two gorse fires on Devon moorland

Post published:December 30, 2025
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Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue ServiceFire crews tackled the fires on Monday afternoonFirefighters have tackled two gorse fires in the same area of moorland.Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the fires broke out on Monday at about 15:20 GMT in the West Anstey Common area, in Devon.South Molton Fire Station said on social media there were two separate fires which involved gorse on the moor and totalled about 600m (1,968ft).The service said the fires were…

World-leading critical minerals expert awarded OBE

Post published:December 30, 2025
Post category:Exeter Uni News
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One of the world’s foremost experts on critical minerals and mining, Professor Frances Wall, has been awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours List, it has been announced. The Professor of Applied Mineralogy at the Camborne School of Mines, based at the University’s Penryn Campus in Cornwall, received the award for “services to Geoscience and Sustainable Resource Development”. Speaking on receiving the honour, Professor Wall said: ‘I am delighted to have been named for this award. It…

West Country bridges set to reopen in 2026 after long closures

Post published:December 30, 2025
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Beth CruseWest of EnglandBBCThe A432 Badminton Road bridge has been closed since July 2023Several key bridges across the West of England are scheduled to reopen in 2026 after years of disruption.Many of these bridges have been shut for years due to serious structural problems, while others have faced setbacks after engineers uncovered damage during repairs. Most of the projects are now scheduled to finish in 2026, although progress will depend on weather conditions and specialist work. Here is…

Christmas funding crises mean West councils face tough choices

Post published:December 30, 2025
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Pete SimsonPolitics West ProducerPA MediaCouncils across the West have already suffered serious shortfalls in their budgetMost of us think of Christmas as being about mince pies, mulled wine and Santa.But there is one tradition that befalls our local councils does not involve anything remotely festive. They have to work out how their financial settlements from the government will effect their overall budgets next year.In the West of England, like elsewhere in the country, several local authorities have either…

Wareham military children charity founder gets MBE

Post published:December 30, 2025
Post category:BBC Dorset
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A woman who set up a charity to help support military children has been appointed an MBE.Louise Fetigan, from Wareham, has been recognised in the king's New Year Honours list for services to young people in Dorset.The 43-year-old founded the charity Little Troopers in 2011, which supports children with parents in the armed forces by providing resources to help ease the challenges of military life.Ms Fetigan said she "adored" the charity, adding it had taken "so much sacrifice,…

‘The best gift’ says charity founder in Bournemouth awarded MBE

Post published:December 30, 2025
Post category:BBC Dorset
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The founder of a charity supporting disabled people into work has been recognised in the New Year Honours list.Samantha Everard, known as Sammy, has been made an Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for the work she does with her Bournemouth-based charity Support and Mentoring Enabling Entrepreneurship (SAMEE).SAMEE, founded in 2015, helps disabled people develop employability skills and explore self-employment.Reflecting on the honour she said this was "the best gift" to share with her "incredible…

Medical professionals recognised in Kings New Years Honours list

Post published:December 30, 2025
Post category:BBC Cornwall
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Caroline RobinsonSouth WestNHS England South WestDr Michael Marsh was recognised for his contribution over many years to healthcare and public serviceA former medical director is among medical professionals who have been recognised in the King's 2026 New Year Honours list.Medical professionals across NHS England South West were recognised for services to healthcare, including two from Cornwall. Dr Michael Marsh, NHS England's former South West Medical Director, was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for…

MP, Paralympian and campaigners to get New Year Honours

Post published:December 30, 2025
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Rachel RussellSouth of EnglandGETTY Images/BBCFrankie Allen (L) and Peter Boyd-Smith (R) are both being recognised in the New Year honoursAn MP is among those from the south of England to be recognised in the New Year Honours list, alongside an array of campaigners and a Paralympian.Anneliese Dodds, who has represented Oxford East since 2017 and was Sir Keir Starmer's former development minister until she resigned in February, has been made a dame.Dodds, 47, said she was "delighted" to…

South West Water helping veterans beat winter money worries

Post published:December 30, 2025
Post category:BBC Cornwall
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South West Water (SWW) has joined forces with a charity to help military veterans tackle money worries this winter.The company will attend armed forces hubs across Cornwall, run by the Veterans Regroup project, for free monthly sessions offering confidential advice on debt, health and finding work, to support veterans, serving personnel and their families.SWW has been part of the project since 2023, offering help with bills, water meters and special tariffs for those who need extra water for…