Devon News

Olly Woodburn: Exeter back’s versatility impressing boss Rob Baxter

Olly Woodburn: Exeter back’s versatility impressing boss Rob Baxter

Exeter boss Rob Baxter says Olly Woodburn's recent performances could justify a new deal for the veteran back.The 34-year-old impressed in a first start at full-back in the dramatic win at Saracens on Saturday and he has also covered at centre in recent seasons. Woodburn has scored 60 tries in 185 games for the Chiefs since joining in 2015, but is out of contract at the end of this season. "Right here and now it's going to be…

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Devon couple set up free Christmas Day lunch for those in need

Devon couple set up free Christmas Day lunch for those in need

Olivia ProwseOlivia Prowse, here with husband Mat, says helping others beats sitting at homeA woman who will spend Christmas making free lunches for people in need says it is "the right thing to do".Olivia Prowse, 58, from Loddiswell, Devon, has organised the event on 25 December, alongside husband Mat, to help people who would otherwise be alone or struggling on Christmas Day.Mrs Prowse said 13 people had signed up to attend the event in the village near Kingsbridge,…

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RNLI volunteers prepare to help those in need over Christmas

RNLI volunteers prepare to help those in need over Christmas

Darren Blight"Knowing we can make a difference is what keeps us going," says Wes FosterRNLI volunteers said it was "never easy leaving loved ones" at Christmas to attend a coastal emergency, but "making a difference" made it worthwhile.Wes Foster, a member of the Plymouth RNLI team, said: "Being on call means we're always ready to step away from the celebrations at a moment's notice to help someone in need."Johnny Bray, from Lizard lifeboat crew, in Cornwall, said "we're…

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‘Heartbroken’ family’s tribute to man after fatal Plymouth crash

‘Heartbroken’ family’s tribute to man after fatal Plymouth crash

Devon and Cornwall PoliceThe family of Michael Cockburn-Hilton paid tribute to their beloved son, brother and partnerTributes have been paid to a 23-year-old man who died following a road collision in Devon.The family of Michael Cockburn-Hilton said his death had left them "heartbroken beyond words" and described him as a beloved son, brother, and partner.Devon and Cornwall Police said the motorbike rider was pronounced dead at the scene of the two-vehicle collision also involving a car at about…

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Plymouth Argyle owner Simon Hallett lends club £9.8m after relegation

"2024-25 was a disappointing year on the pitch as our men's first team suffered relegation from the Championship after two seasons," Hallett said, in notes published with the accounts."That outcome was particularly disappointing as it was the first season in several years in which we failed to get results that were significantly better than were implied by our football budget. "Our strategy has been based on outsmarting our opponents, not outspending them, and in 2024-25 we failed."Hallett leant…

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Gary Caldwell: Exeter City boss hails impressive defensive record

Gary Caldwell: Exeter City boss hails impressive defensive record

Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell says he has been impressed with how defensively solid his side has been this season.The 20th-placed Grecians have conceded just 20 goals in their 20 League One games this season - the third-lowest in the division.They are the only club that has a positive goal difference in the bottom half of the table and have conceded just one goal in their past four games in all competitions."It was a big part of our…

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Dawlish guide dog wins award for life service

Dawlish guide dog wins award for life service

A guide dog has been given a national award to recognise his life of service.Ridley, an 11-year-old black Labrador-cross golden retriever, from Dawlish, Devon, scooped the Hero Dog Award at the Guide Dogs People Awards for 2025.It recognised his work, not only as a guide dog, but his continued contribution as an ambassador dog, therapy dog, and loyal companion to his owners Peter and Marylou Boston, ceremony organisers said.Mr Boston said: "Ridley is an extraordinary dog whose life…

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Stephen Varney: Exeter’s Italy scrum-half signs new deal

Stephen Varney: Exeter’s Italy scrum-half signs new deal

Exeter's Italy scrum-half Stephen Varney has signed a new contract with the Prem club.The 24-year-old moved to Sandy Park in the summer after a season at French side Vannes having spent much of his career at Gloucester. He has started six of Exeter's seven league games this season in their impressive start to the Prem campaign, scoring his first league try for the club in the comeback win over Saracens on Saturday.He is the second Exeter player to…

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Boy, 14, seriously injured in Plymouth stabbing

Boy, 14, seriously injured in Plymouth stabbing

A 14-year-old boy has been taken to hospital with serious injuries after he was stabbed in a city centre.The attack happened on Monday evening at 18:50 GMT in the Notte Street and Athenaeum Street area of Plymouth.When officers arrived, they found the boy had been stabbed multiple times. He was taken to hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries, Devon and Cornwall Police said.The force said there would be an increased police presence in the area as officers…

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Fiddler crabs break down microplastics

Fiddler crabs break down microplastics

Getty ImagesResearchers sampled 95 fiddler crabsA species of crab has been found to play an "unheralded role" in the breakdown of microplastic particles, according to scientists. The University of Exeter said scientists observed fiddler crabs in a polluted mangrove forest in Colombia ingest "large quantities of small plastic particles in the sediment". It said the species could break down plastics within days - but scientists warned of a potential release of harmful nanoplastics into their tissues and, consequently,…

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Man develops dog walking app in Devon after being made redundant

Man develops dog walking app in Devon after being made redundant

A man from Devon has turned losing his job into a dog walking adventure with a new app.When Christian Jones from Bideford adopted his Staffordshire terrier Bud, he wanted an app that would give him ideas for new walks and when he was made redundant in April 2025, he realised he could make his own.Mr Jones said: "The idea is that it has all the information which I find useful as a dog walker like livestock, for if…

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