Author: Emily Johns

This author has written 18 articles

Barnstaple charity helping children cope with grief

Barnstaple charity helping children cope with grief

BBCLauren, 13, has received help from Barnstaple-based charity Families in Grief after her grandparents diedA girl said a Children in Need-backed charity has helped her deal with grief and regain confidence.Following the loss of her grandparents, Lauren, 13, received support from Families in Grief, who work with children, young people and their families who have experienced the death of a loved one.The Barnstaple charity has received a £105,000 grant, split over three years, from Children in Need to…

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Snowdrops flower early at the Garden House in Devon

Snowdrops flower early at the Garden House in Devon

Snowdrops are flowering early at the Garden House near Yelverton, West Devon.The blooms appeared in October, weeks before their usual season, and experts said the early blooming was due to the UK's long, dry summer.Head gardener Nick Haworth explained that the plants were from hot southern European countries where autumn flowering is not unusual."We've got around 400 varieties of snowdrops at The Garden House and while it's not unusual to see the odd Mediterranean snowdrop popping its head…

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Devon libraries Halloween costume loans ‘really useful’

Devon libraries Halloween costume loans ‘really useful’

Library users have welcomed a scheme run by Devon libraries offering people the chance to borrow Halloween costumes donated by other visitors.Libraries Unlimited, the charity that runs the Devon County Council and Torbay's libraries, described the scheme as "cost-effective" as it was designed to prevent the public from purchasing costumes that would only be worn once.Katheryn and her daughter Sophie visited Pinhoe Library, Exeter, on the hunt for a Halloween costume.Sophie chose a Rapunzel costume for this year,…

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Barnstaple museum exhibition celebrates North Devon innovation

An exhibition has opened in Barnstaple to showcase North Devon's growing reputation for innovation and technology.Northern Devon Innovates, which opened at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon, said it would focus on local businesses developing products and ideas for global markets.The exhibition includes case studies of companies like AutoNaut, Ecotribo and Krempel to show that there is more to the region than "agriculture and farming".Alison Mills, director of the museum, said the exhibition was due to run…

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RNLI lifeguards return to South West beaches for half-term

RNLI lifeguards in the South West have returned to some beaches for the school half-term holiday.It said lifeguards would patrol 23 beaches across Devon, Cornwall and Jersey for the half-term period from Saturday, 25 October until Sunday, 2 November.Henry Saddler-Irvine, RNLI regional lifeguard lead for the South West, said "conditions can be challenging at this time of year" with autumn storms "bringing large swells and an increased risk to people on the coast". The RNLI said lifeguards would…

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Dartmouth food festival attracts more than 20,000 visitors

A food festival, which attracts thousands of visitors, is returning for its 21st year.This year's Dartmouth Food Festival is being held between 24 to 26 October from 10:00 BST each day and is free for visitors to explore.Organisers said there would be a chef demo theatre, wine seminars, talks with guests, and market stalls from more than 100 local producers, suppliers and growers.Festival ambassador, Orlando Murrin, said it was a "phenomenal event" that attracted more than 20,000 visitors.The…

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