Author: Caroline Robinson

This author has written 33 articles

Otter St Mary Tar Barrel event sees thousands flock to town

Otter St Mary Tar Barrel event sees thousands flock to town

BBCThe annual event is believed to date back to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605Thousands have flocked to a rural town to see flaming tar barrels carried along its streets for Bonfire Night.Ottery St Mary was expected to double in size with 20,000 visitors and the Devon town had to close to visitors with the car parks filling up early due to poor weather.The evening spectacle, which is believed to date back to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, started…

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Five teenagers arrested in Bideford fire murder probe

Five teenagers arrested in Bideford fire murder probe

Five children have been arrested as one person remains unaccounted for after a house fire, police have said.Four boys and a girl – all aged under 18 and from north Devon – have been held on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life following the blaze in Bideford.A murder investigation was launched following the fire at a terraced house in Honestone Street on Tuesday evening. A man remains unaccounted for, and his next-of-kin have been informed, police…

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South West Water given red score over pollution

South West Water given red score over pollution

Caroline Robinson,South West and Kirk England,South West environment and tourism correspondentBBCSouth West Water has never risen above a two star rating for environmental performanceSouth West Water (SWW) has been rated "red" for its environmental performance for the 14th year in a row, meaning it is "significantly below target", the Environment Agency has said.The company was given two stars out of a possible four in the annual Environmental Performance Assessment report for 2024.The agency said the water firm had…

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70 horses and foals rescued in 15-month operation in Devon

70 horses and foals rescued in 15-month operation in Devon

Caroline RobinsonSouth WestThe Mare and Foal SanctuaryA foal with bright blue eyes was taken in as part of an operation to rescue 70 horsesSeventy rare-breed Icelandic horses and foals have been rescued in a 15-month welfare operation by animal charities.Public concerns were first raised in May 2024 about the herds of semi feral horses kept at several sites around Devon. The reports prompted a complex welfare operation by The Mare and Foal Sanctuary and RSPCA.The sanctuary said there…

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Storm Benjamin ‘to bring wind and heavy rain’ to South West

Storm Benjamin ‘to bring wind and heavy rain’ to South West

Caroline RobinsonSouth WestMet OfficeA yellow weather warning for wind and rain has been issued for ThursdayHeavy rain and wind gusts up to 60mph (97 km/h) are forecast for the South West on Thursday due to Storm Benjamin. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly from 06:00 to 15:00 BST.It is also warning of heavy rain from 00:00 until 21:00 in Devon and Cornwall as Storm Benjamin,…

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Topless runner takes part in topless swim in Devon

Topless runner takes part in topless swim in Devon

Caroline RobinsonSouth WestBBCLouise Butcher took part in Devon Hospitals Charity Topless Swim 2025A cancer survivor and campaigner has taken part in a charity swim. Louise Butcher, who is known as the Topless Runner, was among the swimmers at the Royal Devon Hospitals Charity Topless Swim 2025 which aimed to raise funds and awareness of breast cancer. The swim at Ilfracombe raised more than £30,000 with 200 ladies "all proudly showing their breasts" including some who had mastectomy scars.Teams…

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Fisherman catch 210kg bluefin tuna off Devon coast

Fisherman catch 210kg bluefin tuna off Devon coast

Caroline RobinsonSouth WestIan PerkesBrixham Fish Market said the fish was caught by the team on Pechos Grandes on ThursdayA fish wholesaler has purchased a 210kg (463lb) bluefin tuna for more than £2,000.The fish was caught on Thursday by the team at Pechos Grandes and was sold at an auction on Friday at Brixham fish market.Ian Perkes, a wholesaler and exporter based in Brixham who bought the fish, said it was the biggest one caught in the area."We know…

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Plymouth Sound swimming pontoons to be put away for the winter

Plymouth Sound swimming pontoons to be put away for the winter

Caroline RobinsonSouth WestPlymouth Sound National Marine ParkThe swimming pontoons in Plymouth Sound are due to be removed in the week commencing 6 OctoberTwo swimming pontoons are to be removed for the winter months.Plymouth Sound National Marine Park said they would be removed during the week of the 6 October depending on weather conditions.The pontoons are due to be cleaned and put in winter storage and returned to the water the beginning of April.Tors Froud, partnership and inclusion manager…

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PE teacher from Plymouth wins gold at Pickleball championships

PE teacher from Plymouth wins gold at Pickleball championships

Caroline RobinsonSouth WestKirsty GrayKirsty Gray (holding racket) won the gold medal in the senior ladies eventA teacher who has only been playing pickleball for a year has won a gold medal in the senior ladies event at the European Pickleball Championships in Rome.Kirsty Gray, from Plymouth, said she was "completely in shock" after winning the contest.Thirty countries took part in the European Pickleball Federation's second European Team Championships from 19 to 21 September.Gray said: "I keep looking back…

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