Devon News

Ethan Roots targets England recall after signing new Exeter Chiefs deal

Ethan Roots targets England recall after signing new Exeter Chiefs deal

The forward moved to Exeter in the summer of 2023 and was one of a group of impressive new faces in his first campaign as a new-look Chiefs side surprised many with a sixth-placed finish. But last season Exeter managed just four league wins and finished second from bottom - their worst-ever top-flight campaign. However, Roots has been in good form this season as Exeter have surged to second place in the Prem ahead of a weekend trip…

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Bigger and complex household debts concern charity

Bigger and complex household debts concern charity

Anna VarleSouth West social affairs correspondentBBCTom Kehily from Ilfracombe started falling into debt after he lost his job and his relationship broke downAverage debt owed by households in part of Devon have risen by more than £4,000 in two years, a charity said.Christians Against Poverty (CAP) said research it had carried out showed the average household debt in North Devon was £14,330 in 2025, compared to £10,139 in 2023.Reverend Ben Warrender, a debt centre manager for the charity…

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Exeter care agency put into special measures by Care Quality Commission

Exeter care agency put into special measures by Care Quality Commission

Yui Mok/PA WireHorizon Care (South West) Ltd has been placed into special measures by the Care Quality CommissionA home care agency which helps more than 200 people living in their own homes in Exeter has been put into special measures by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).The watchdog inspected Horizon Care (South West) Ltd in September after receiving "information of concern" about the service. It issued a warning notice that "rapid and significant" improvement was needed to safeguarding, care…

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Johnly Yfeko: More injury woe for Exeter City defender

Johnly Yfeko: More injury woe for Exeter City defender

Exeter City defender Johnly Yfeko faces more time on the sidelines after suffering a fresh injury.The 22-year-old centre-back missed the second half of last season after a series of hamstring injuries.He has played 11 times this campaign but the former Rangers defender injured an abductor muscle last week and has undergone a scan. "It doesn't look great," Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell told BBC Radio Devon. "It's another huge frustration. We were going to start him again on…

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300-1 Blowers becomes longest-priced winner in UK horse racing history

300-1 Blowers becomes longest-priced winner in UK horse racing history

Blowers became the longest-priced winner in UK racing history when he took the opener at Exeter on Thursday at odds of 300-1.The previous record was held by Equinoctial, who triumphed at Kelso in November 1990 at 250-1.The feat has been achieved twice in Ireland, most recently by Sawbuck at Punchestown in April 2022, and also by He Knows No Fear in 2020 at Leopardstown.Trained by Nigel Hawke and ridden by James Best, the five-year-old is named after retired…

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Torbay healthcare partnership’s future under threat

Torbay healthcare partnership’s future under threat

Miles DavisDevon political reporterBBCThe partnership between Torbay Council and Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust is said to have reduced hospital admissionsA healthcare partnership which helps to reduce hospital admissions is at risk.Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT) works with Torbay Council to provide adult social care services.However, council leader Dave Thomas told cabinet members the health trust was "giving serious consideration" to ending the partnership because of the cost of providing the service.TSDFT said…

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Joe Ralls: Plymouth Argyle in talks to extend midfielder’s contract

Joe Ralls: Plymouth Argyle in talks to extend midfielder’s contract

Ralls' contract extension could be the first of a number of pieces of business in January as Argyle look to try and correct their tough first half of the season.They have won just seven of their 20 League One games as a combination of injuries and a lack of attacking players have hampered their season. Newly-appointed director of football Derek Adams, a former Argyle boss, is leading the Pilgrims' plans for the January transfer window, and Cleverley is…

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How a Devon charity raised £20,000 for Christmas presents

How a Devon charity raised £20,000 for Christmas presents

Available for over a yearCaroline Wilson, co-founder of the charity and chair of its trustees, spoke with John Acres about how Operation Santa has been able to raise money to buy gifts for children from disadvantaged families. Picture credit: Getty Images/Universal Images GroupProgramme WebsiteShow less Source link

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Ethan Roots: Exeter’s England forward signs contract extension

Ethan Roots: Exeter’s England forward signs contract extension

New Zealand-born Roots, who qualifies for England through his English father, has played 55 times for Exeter, scoring 10 tries. Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter feels the forward is one of the club's "most influential players"."He's really back to his absolute physical best, dominating some games with his collision quality and the work-rate he's putting in around the field," Baxter added."He's one of those players that we can build a really successful side around. "He's been key…

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Rare wolf pups’ birth spark Paignton Zoo celebrations

Rare wolf pups’ birth spark Paignton Zoo celebrations

Zookeepers in the South West have been celebrating the birth of two rare wolf pups.The maned wolf pups - which have yet to be named - were born in November to parents Tolock and Lua at Paignton Zoo, which was recently saved from closure after a new owner was found to take it over.The zoo said fewer than 17,000 maned pups survive in the wild across South American grasslands and said every birth was "significant for conservation efforts".Zoo…

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Monster wave brings record hope for Devon surfer Laura Crane

Monster wave brings record hope for Devon surfer Laura Crane

Laura Crane drops into the monster wave at Nazare in PortugalA surfer hopes she has made it into the record books after potentially riding the biggest wave taken on by a woman.Laura Crane, 30, from Devon, was launched into a towering wall of water she described as "one of the most perfect big waves" she had ever surfed after competing at the Nazare Big Wave Challenge in Portugal on Saturday.The wave is being assessed by the Big Wave…

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Plymouth Jewish Community CIC begins with Hanukkah event

Plymouth Jewish Community CIC begins with Hanukkah event

BBCCandles were lit to mark the four nights of Hanukkah which have passed since the holiday beganThe lighting of a giant menorah has taken place in Plymouth to coincide with the launch of a community interest company (CIC) by and for Jewish people.The Plymouth Jewish Community CIC was founded to become the home of Jewish culture and conversation in the city, organisers said. At the event, candles were lit by Rabbi Mendy Singer to mark the four nights…

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