Author: Chloe Parkman

This author has written 41 articles

Devon ceremony marks start of Royal Fleet Auxiliary build

Devon ceremony marks start of Royal Fleet Auxiliary build

BBCThe bow sections of the ships are being built in Appledore, north DevonA steel cutting ceremony has been held to mark the start of construction of a new modern support ship for the Royal Navy.The name of the ship, which is more than twice the length of a football field, was announced as RFA Resurgent during the event in Appledore, Devon.The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said £115m was being invested across four shipyards for the Fleet Solid Support…

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Fire at ‘very dangerous’ derelict Devon hotel was arson

Fire at ‘very dangerous’ derelict Devon hotel was arson

A fire at a "very dangerous" derelict hotel is being treated as arson, police say.Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said crews from multiple fire stations were called to the blaze in Seaton, Devon, at about 03:13 GMT on Wednesday.Devon and Cornwall Police urged people not to visit Seaton Heights Hotel, which it said was "now much more dangerous following the structural damage caused by the fire".The force said the blaze had a "great effect on the…

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Devon tourism chiefs say chancellor needs to offer them hope

Devon tourism chiefs say chancellor needs to offer them hope

BBCRick Turner said the tourism sector was "massively impacted" by the last budgetThe boss of a rural attraction has said tourism needs to be offered hope when Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the Budget on Wednesday. Rick Turner, director of The Big Sheep in north Devon, said the government's last budget led to closures and sucked enthusiasm out of the tourism and hospitality sector.He said: "We need the bright light in the future to see where we're going, rather…

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Devon man loses finger 13 years after black widow spider bite

Devon man loses finger 13 years after black widow spider bite

Dan CheethamDan Cheetham says his blood was "almost like plasticine" after the biteA former Royal Marine has had a finger amputated, 13 years after being bitten by a black widow spider. Plymstock resident Dan Cheetham, 41, suffered the venomous bite on his right hand in 2012 while in the middle of the Mojave Desert in California during a training exercise. Mr Cheetham, originally from Wrexham, said he was taken to hospital via a 14-minute helicopter ride at the…

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Woman who lived on Exeter streets said life was ‘unbearable’

Woman who lived on Exeter streets said life was ‘unbearable’

YMCA ExeterAmelia Teare, in the red dress, said life on the streets was "really scary" as a vulnerable womanA woman who turned her life around after spending months living on the streets, said it became "unbearable".Amelia Teare, 29, from Dorset, struggled with addiction and slept in doorways across Exeter for about three months after she "lost her way" during lockdown."Being a vulnerable female specifically it's really scary being alone and outside. I didn't want to change, I didn't…

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New ice warning for Cornwall as snow falls across South West

New ice warning for Cornwall as snow falls across South West

Princetown Primary Community SchoolGritters have been out overnight as snowfall has been reported at locations across the South WestA new weather warning for ice has been issued for Cornwall, as both the county and parts of Devon were hit by snow and ice.Devon County Council said Princetown Community Primary School was shut due to low staff numbers as a result of the weather conditions.Callywith College in Cornwall said "no lessons" would take place and buses had been suspended…

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Devon Remembrance Sunday services honour armed forces

Devon Remembrance Sunday services honour armed forces

Johnny Rutherford/BBCA service was held at the at the war memorial in Northernhay Gardens in ExeterServices are taking place across the region to mark Remembrance Sunday.The Bishop of Plymouth, the Rt Revd James Grier, led this year's service on Plymouth Hoe, which began with a two-minute silence at the Royal Naval Memorial at 11:00 GMT."War and conflict today weighs heavy and looms close, especially for those who offer our lives in our armed services," he told the service.…

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Remembrance Sunday services being held across Devon

Remembrance Sunday services being held across Devon

Services are taking place across the region to mark Remembrance Sunday.The Bishop of Plymouth, the Rt Revd James Grier, will lead this year's service on Plymouth Hoe, which will begin with a two-minute silence at the Royal Naval Memorial at 11:00 GMT.Lord Mayor, councillor Kathy Watkin, said: "This year is especially poignant as it marks the 80th anniversary of both VE Day and VJ Day and the end of the second world war."Exeter City Council said a service…

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Veterans reach Land’s End in Cornwall after marching 925 miles

Veterans reach Land’s End in Cornwall after marching 925 miles

Twenty-eight Royal Marine veterans have marched 925 miles (1,490km) from John O'Groats to Lands End in Cornwall for charity.They set off on the eight-day long speed march on 31 October and arrived at their destination on Saturday. The challenge has raised thousands of pounds for a number of charities including Combat Stress, the Royal Marines Charity, Papyrus, Alzheimer's Society and Cancer Research, organisers said. The final figure has yet to be confirmed.Organiser Mark Gordon said: "We've recaptured this…

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Devon ‘Frankenstein trees’ offer safe haven for wildlife

Devon ‘Frankenstein trees’ offer safe haven for wildlife

Dead trees and branches have been bolted together to make homes for wildlife.Conservation charity the Woodland Trust said the "Frankenstein trees" were hauled from Kingsettle Wood in Dorset to Yonder Oak in Devon and placed along the flight path of barn owls, sparrowhawks and kestrels.They said the deadwood would offer a safe perch for the "magnificent" birds of prey.Sam Hamer, the charity's site manager, said: "By bolting on extra branches from other dead trees and then slashing them…

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Dartmoor visitor centre shuts for final time due to rising costs

Dartmoor visitor centre shuts for final time due to rising costs

BBCThe centre will close on FridayA visitor centre on Dartmoor is set to shut for the final time.Dartmoor National Park said the closure of Princetown Visitor Centre, which is based in the Duchy Hotel, on Friday, was due to "rising costs and reduced government funding".It said the centre had served as an information and exhibition space since 1993, and added: "The focus is now on ensuring a smooth transition back to the landlord, the Duchy of Cornwall, before…

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Car crash causes damage to historic Devon shopfront

Car crash causes damage to historic Devon shopfront

A business owner says she is "shocked and sad" after a 300-year-old property was damaged in a car crash.Devon and Cornwall Police said the car crashed into a home furnishings shop on Fore Street, Kingsbridge, at about 15:25 GMT on Sunday.Officers said there were no injuries but the driver was reported to court for driving without due care.Hazel Donovan, who runs the shop Donovan alongside her partner Trevor Tilbury, said: "I'm really sad. The building has been in…

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