Devon News

Hormone therapy has “no impact” on dementia risk, study finds

Hormone therapy has “no impact” on dementia risk, study finds

There is "no evidence" drugs used to treat menopausal women either increases and slashes the risk of dementia, researchers have said.A study conducted by University College London, with support from the University of Exeter, reviewed whether hormone therapy - also known as hormone replacement therapy or HRT - impacted the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).The findings, which were part of a larger review commissioned by the World Health Organisation, suggested there was "no significant association" between HRT…

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Kate Bush ‘heartbroken’ over friend missing at sea

Kate Bush ‘heartbroken’ over friend missing at sea

AFPKate Bush said Matthew Upham was kind, thoughtful and a great deal of funSinger-songwriter Kate Bush said she was "heartbroken" after her friend went missing during a Christmas Day swim in Devon.Ms Bush said Matthew Upham, a local antiques dealer, was one of her "very dearest friends" who she had known for 30 years. The 67-year-old Running Up That Hill singer said Mr Upham's family and friends were "heartbroken" by the news.Emergency services were called to Budleigh Salterton…

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The story of the buried whale’s head

The story of the buried whale’s head

BBCExcavating the whale's head took some heavy equipmentEarlier this year, I found myself standing in a field, watching, as a digger lifted the remains of an enormous fin whale's head from a resting place few people knew about. It was the culmination of an investigation into something I initially thought may be a myth but turned out to be true - a whale's head being buried somewhere in my hometown.On Valentine's Day 2020 the crew of a former…

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Record-breaking silk dress on display in Devon

Record-breaking silk dress on display in Devon

BBCArtist Kirstie MacCleod estimates there are between 1-1.5 million stitches on the dress, which took 10,000 hours of workA red silk dress embroidered by 380 people in 51 countries over the course of 14 years has gone on display at Killerton House near Exeter.The Red Dress Project, which saw 87 panels created and stitched together between 2009 and 2023, was begun by Somerset-based artist Kirstie MacCleod. She said: "What I really love is that probably the women and…

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The Prem: Exeter 24-10 Leicester Tigers: Chiefs go second in table

The Prem: Exeter 24-10 Leicester Tigers: Chiefs go second in table

Exeter: Woodburn; Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Rigg, Ridl; Skinner, Varney; Sio, Dweba, Tchumbadze, Jenkins (c), Zambonin, Hooper, E. Roots, Fisilau.Replacements: Yeandle, Goodrick-Clarke, J. Roots, Tuima, James, Chapman, Haydon-Wood, John.Sin bin: Tuima (76)Leicester: Steward; Radwan, Perese, Kata, Hassell-Collins; Searle, Whiteley; N. Smith, Blamire, Heyes, Henderson, Chessum (c), Moro, Reffell, Cracknell.Replacements: Theobald-Thomas, Haffar, Hurd, Thompson, Williams, Van Poortvliet, Bailey, Hamer-Webb.Sin bin: Williams (51), Searle (62)Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe. Source link

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Retirement flats planned for school playing field in Exeter

Retirement flats planned for school playing field in Exeter

Retirement flats could be built on the site of an old school playing field if plans go ahead.McCarthy and Stone has submitted plans for 36 one and two-bedroom apartments on the old playing field of Bramdean School, in Exeter, which closed in 2020.The developers said there was a "real need" for the accommodation in Exeter "with an ageing population and limited specialist accommodation for local older people to downsize to".More than 120 people have objected to the plans,…

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Police investigate unexplained Christmas Day death near Chudleigh

Police investigate unexplained Christmas Day death near Chudleigh

An investigation has been launched after the death of a man at a rural property on Christmas Day.Devon and Cornwall Police said officers were called to the property north of Chudleigh, in Devon, at about 10:50 GMT over concerns for a man.The force said a fire was thought to have occurred but was out when officers arrived, and a man aged in his 80s was found in the property and pronounced dead at the scene.Police said the death…

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Therapy goats in Devon “bring a bit of something different”

Therapy goats in Devon “bring a bit of something different”

BBCRon, the pygmy goat, visits care homes, schools and youth clubs with his playmates Bonbon and PercyPygmy goats are among the therapy animals being taken to care homes, schools and youth clubs in Devon, to foster well-being and combat isolation.Tim Sheppard set up the not-for-profit business Tavistock Therapy Goats in 2024, to bring a sense of the outdoors to people who can struggle to access to the countryside.Mr Sheppard has other animals at his smallholding, and sometimes brings…

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‘Phenomenal year’ for The Box museum and art gallery in Plymouth

‘Phenomenal year’ for The Box museum and art gallery in Plymouth

A Devon museum and art gallery said 2025 had been a "phenomenal year" as it celebrated reaching 1.1 million visitors since opening five years ago.The Box, owned by Plymouth City Council, opened its doors during the Covid pandemic and has hosted more than 60 exhibitions.Cabinet member for culture, councillor Jemima Laing said she had never envisaged what a success it would be and how it had become the "heart of the city's cultural life", adding that she looked…

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Traders in South Hams having to pay for staff parking fees

Traders in South Hams having to pay for staff parking fees

Bradley GerrardLocal Democracy Reporting Service & BBC News, DevonMadison OmanMadison Oman said nearly all her co-workers drive to work from outside the South HamsSmall business owners in South Devon have said higher parking charges are making it harder to recruit and retain staff, with some having to pay for their staff to be able to park.South Hams District Council had frozen parking charges for four years but decided to increase them in April.Some business owners in Kingsbridge, Salcombe…

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Signalling issues impact South West train services

Signalling issues impact South West train services

Trains have been disrupted in the South West due to a "shortage of signalling staff".National Rail said services from Exeter to Exmouth, Yeovil Junction and Basingstoke were being impacted by the issue.Railway lines between Exeter Central and Exmouth, Exeter and Honiton were closed with passengers advised their tickets could be used on other trains and buses.An update from Network Rail said a replacement signaller had been arranged but service disruption was expected to continue until about 13:00 GMT.…

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Tom Cleverley unhappy with Joe Ralls red card in Plymouth Argyle Reading loss

Tom Cleverley unhappy with Joe Ralls red card in Plymouth Argyle Reading loss

Plymouth Argyle boss Tom Cleverley insisted Joe Ralls should not have been sent off in his side's 4-1 Boxing Day loss to Reading.The midfielder was dismissed for denying a goalscoring opportunity after giving away a penalty in the 12th minute, which the Royals converted. Argyle's first home game on Boxing Day in nine years proved a tough watch for the Home Park faithful as Reading scored three times in six minutes to lead 3-0 before the midway point…

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