Devon News

Police lock down Exeter streets after serious assault

Police lock down Exeter streets after serious assault

Police have sealed off parts of Exeter after a person was found with a serious injury in Cowick Street.Officers were sent to the area at around 16:30 GMT following reports of an assault, said Devon and Cornwall Police. Cordons are in place around Cowick Street, Prospect Place and Cowick Park and Police say units will stay in the area throughout the evening and overnight.A spokesperson said: "If anyone sees anyone acting suspiciously, we are advising members of the…

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Closing down signs in Plymouth’s House of Fraser store

Closing down signs in Plymouth’s House of Fraser store

BBCA sign in the shop window says the store will close in the spring.Closing down signs have appeared in the windows of a longstanding House of Fraser department store.A sign attached to the glass at the Plymouth store, said it would be closing in March 2026.The store, which was previously known as Dingles, had faced closure in 2018 before a rescue deal secured its future.Frasers, the owner of House of Fraser, has been approached by the BBC for…

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Devon gorse fires on same moor started deliberately

Two gorse fires in the same area of moorland were thought to have been started deliberately, a fire service has said.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 blazes which involved gorse on the moor affecting a total area of about 600m (1,968ft).The service said the fires were extinguished…

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Study explores wellbeing impact of board games

Study explores wellbeing impact of board games

Caroline RobinsonSouth WestUniversity of PlymouthThe aim is to create the first toolkit of how tabletop role-playing games could be used to enhance people's wellbeingResearchers are exploring the ways board games and tabletop role-playing games could be used in health and social care interventions.The University of Plymouth said researchers found games such as Dungeons and Dragons and Dixit could lead to improvements in confidence, assertiveness, and real-life social engagement, especially in neurodivergent players.It received funding alongside Manchester Metropolitan University…

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Devon residents asked to donate used Christmas trees for otters

Devon residents asked to donate used Christmas trees for otters

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…

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Firefighters tackle two gorse fires on Devon moorland

Firefighters tackle two gorse fires on Devon moorland

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…

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The 12 most important shipwrecks of the South West

The 12 most important shipwrecks of the South West

Rebecca RicksBBC South West InvestigationsPA MediaThe MSC Napoli grounded about a mile off Sidmouth, Devon, in 2007For mariners the waters of the South West have long been a challenging, and historically deadly, coastline. In the days before GPS it was the home of tragedies, disasters and misfortunes with thousands of wrecks now laying undiscovered, plundered or broken at the bottom of the sea. With the knowledge of experts, we examine some of the most notable shipwrecks to come…

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Devon’s local heroes recognised by King Charles

Devon’s local heroes recognised by King Charles

Royal NavyAngie Cheal, pictured encouraging a fellow sailor during a recovery triathlon, described the honour as "incredible"A number of people in Devon have been honoured by His Majesty the King in the 2025 New Year Honours List.Among those recognised is Angie Cheal, a Royal Navy Warrant Officer, who has been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her dedication to helping sailors and Royal Marines recover from serious illness and injury.The Plymouth-based 51-year-old…

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Josh Hodge: Newcastle re-sign England A full-back from Exeter

Josh Hodge: Newcastle re-sign England A full-back from Exeter

Hodge, a former England Under-20 international, has scored 29 tries in his 89 appearances for the Chiefs.As a product of the Newcastle academy, Hodge's homecoming represents a turning of the tide of recent seasons, with the club's sporting general manager Neil McIlroy keen to see the deal as a statement to their emerging talent."There's understandable frustration around the number of players who have developed in Newcastle's academy, but who have moved away to fulfil their ambitions," McIlroy said."We…

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Decline in adoption rates at Devon animal rescue group

Decline in adoption rates at Devon animal rescue group

An animal rescue centre said less people have been adopting its dogs due to animals' behavioural issues.Gables Cats and Dogs Home in Plymouth said some dogs in its care were "difficult" and had certain requirements, making it harder to find their forever homes.General manager Claire Sparkes said a lot of the rescue dogs were bought in during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown and had not been socialised or trained. She added that some dogs also suffered from separation anxiety,…

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Greg Fisilau: England ‘can’t ignore’ Exeter centre – Dave Walder

Greg Fisilau: England ‘can’t ignore’ Exeter centre – Dave Walder

With Exeter's marquee summer signing Len Ikitau ruled out until March with a shoulder injury, the Chiefs turned to Will Rigg at inside centre.The 25-year-old made his first league start of the season and impressed in defence as well as making a number dangerous breaks in Exeter's win over TigersWith Tamati Tua out for the season with an Achilles injury, the former Coventry back laid down his credentials to try to fill the number 12 shirt in Ikitau's…

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