Gardeners invited to sign up for waste collection
Residents can renew or subscribe to the garden waste collection service in the South Hams. Source link
Budget-friendly half-term activities for families
With rising living costs, half-term activities on a budget are vital to keep the children entertained. Source link
Plymouth Literary Festival return to be ‘major cultural moment’
Katie Geraghty, director of the festival, which aims to make literature more accessible and engaging for people of all ages and backgrounds, said: "We are in the National Year of Reading, so we're actually doing a whole government project to try and get people back into reading. Source link
Charity issues safety advice to cold water festive swimmers
The RNLI has issued safety advice to people planning to go cold water swimming over Christmas and New Year.The charity said festive dips had become an increasingly popular tradition but stressed safety precautions were essential to reduce the risk of injury.It advised swimmers to avoid going alone, stay within their depth and take time to let their bodies adjust to the cold, adding that volunteers would be on call throughout the festive period and ready to respond to…
Teenager takes on 450km Christmas run for Salvation Army
A teenager is running 450km throughout December "to make a real difference for those in need".Aidan Watts, 19, is increasing his distance by 1.5km each day, finishing with a 36km run on Christmas Eve.He took on the challenge to support The Salvation Army's Christmas Present Appeal in Devonport, which provides gifts for children in families facing financial hardship.Mr Watts' efforts exceeded his initial expectations, with donations doubling his original target of £300, prompting him to set a new…
Devon volunteer doctors become association’s charity of the year
A group of volunteer emergency doctors has been named as an association's charity of the year. BASICS Devon, whose volunteers respond to serious medical emergencies, supporting the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, has been named the charity of 2026 for the Devon County Agricultural Association (DCAA).Each year, the DCAA selects one charity to support - which includes making them the sole organisation eligible for donations throughout the Devon County Show.John Lee, a DCAA member, who cast…
Plymouth artist Ellie Johnson wins award for murals work
A mural artist has won an award for her work beating more than 2,000 people.Ellie Johnson, known as Mrs Murals, was awarded the Women in Arts, Media and Culture Award at The West Country Women's Awards at a ceremony held in the Crowne Plaza, Plymouth.Among her work, Mrs Murals has transformed subways in Plympton and a primary school in Sherford, Plymouth.Judge Trish Caller praised her community-focused artwork and said her application stood out for its impact and strong…
Santa fun run in Plymouth cancelled due to weather forecast
Plymouth's annual Santa Fun Run has been cancelled due to concern about the strong winds and rain which have been forecast.On Saturday night event organiser Roger Punch said much of the course would be exposed to the bad weather. He said the "difficult decision" had been taken to cancel the event since "our primary concern is to ensure the safety of all participants".The event had been organised by Saltram Rotary Club with support from Plymouth Waterfront partnership to…
Mum’s illness inspires Devon girl, 5, to take on 5k Santa run
Ellis RussellMaddie is taking part in a 5k Santa run to raise money for Crohn's and ColitisA five-year-old girl is set to take part in a 5k (3.1 mile) Santa run to help people suffering from the same illness as her mum.Maddie is to take on the Exeter City Santa Run for the charity Crohn's and Colitis on Sunday, and said: "I want to raise money so I can help poorly people like mummy to get better."Her mother,…
Double ferry service to run in Dartmouth over festive season
A double ferry service is due to run over the Christmas period despite an annual refit and inspection.Dartmouth's double ferry service on the River Dart would run from Monday 8 December to Sunday 4 2026, South Hams District Council said.Julian Brazil, South Hams District Council's executive member for community services, operations and leisure, said: "Christmas is a special time in Dartmouth, and we want everyone to be able to enjoy the festivities without worry."Our maintenance and inspections are…
Kingsbridge College head calls smartphone ban ‘transformatory’
A college principal has said a smartphone ban introduced in September had been "fantastic".Tina Graham at Kingsbridge Community College said teachers had pushed for change after noticing a growing dependence on smartphones among pupils and rising issues around safeguarding and inappropriate online content.Parents were consulted in April, and the Ms Graham said she decided "quite quickly" to move to an outright ban on smartphones while still allowing simple "brick" phones so students could contact their families in emergencies.She…
Children in Need funds help give young people confidence boost
BBCOrganisers said young people aged nine to 18 were part of the project Young people have said a Children in Need-backed project has helped them to build their confidence and meet like-minded people after they moved to the UK.Mary, 14, who moved to England from Nigeria in 2023, said she joined the Young Voices Inspire group in Plymouth after she found the move "quite hard" due to her shy personality.Plymouth Jollof Kitchen Community Interest Company (CIC) which runs…