Devon News

‘Convincing’ Torquay United secure 3-1 victory at Farnborough

‘Convincing’ Torquay United secure 3-1 victory at Farnborough

Boss Paul Wotton has praised his Torquay United side after their 3-1 win at Farnborough in National League South.The victory was just a second away win of the season for the Gulls, who move up to sixth place in the table.Louis Dennis gave the Gulls the perfect start as he put them 2-0 up inside the first 15 minutes.The forward fired in from close range in the second minute before being in the right place at the right…

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Devon to see 1,300 more children get free school meals

Devon to see 1,300 more children get free school meals

Miles DavisDevon political reporterPA MediaMore children are getting free school meals after councils switched to auto-enrolmentAbout 1,300 children in Devon are now getting free school meals who were not previously entitled to them.Devon County Council and Torbay Council have changed the rules so families who are entitled to free school meals automatically get them without having to apply.The increase in the number of children who are eligible also brings with it extra "pupil premium" funding that can be…

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Otter St Mary Tar Barrel event sees thousands flock to town

Otter St Mary Tar Barrel event sees thousands flock to town

BBCThe annual event is believed to date back to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605Thousands have flocked to a rural town to see flaming tar barrels carried along its streets for Bonfire Night.Ottery St Mary was expected to double in size with 20,000 visitors and the Devon town had to close to visitors with the car parks filling up early due to poor weather.The evening spectacle, which is believed to date back to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, started…

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‘Not much can prepare you’

‘Not much can prepare you’

Erin Blackin Ottery St MaryNigel FowlerThe origins of the event have been lost to historyA rural town hosts one of the most "exhilarating" annual events in the country where local people run through crowd-lined streets with flaming barrels above their heads.Organisers said "not much can prepare you" for the tradition of Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels, which has taken place in the Devon town for so long its true origin has been lost to history. On Wednesday the…

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Joe Ralls: Plymouth Argyle sign former Cardiff City midfielder

Joe Ralls: Plymouth Argyle sign former Cardiff City midfielder

Plymouth Argyle have signed former Cardiff City midfielder Joe Ralls on a short-term contract, initially until January.The 32-year-old was a free agent after leaving the Cardiff City Stadium in the summer after 14 years with the Bluebirds.Ralls, who had a loan spell with Yeovil Town earlier in his career, scored 34 goals in 409 appearances for Cardiff in all competitions."Joe has extensive experience at Championship level and will bring that experience and leadership qualities to our young squad,"…

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BBC Devon presenters finish Children in Need challenge

BBC Devon presenters finish Children in Need challenge

BBCBBC Radio Devon presenter Caroline Densley walked around Plymouth and Devonport on day two of the challengeBBC Radio Devon presenters have completed their part of a 1,000-mile (1,609km) three-legged charity challenge for Children in Need (CIN).Caroline Densley and Michael Chequer walked a combined 28.3 miles (45.5km) while tied to a different person, which included volunteers and staff from CIN-funded projects, over the course of the two-day fundraising challenge.On Wednesday, Densley walked around Plymouth and Devonport, while Chequer completed…

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Bonfire night challenging for pets, Devon vet says

Bonfire night challenging for pets, Devon vet says

BBCRalph, a Romanian rescue dog, is "extremely scared" of fireworksPet owners are being encouraged to keep their animals indoors on Guy Fawkes Night.Many events are planned across Devon on 5 November, including plenty of colour and sounds thanks to firework displays.While many enjoy fireworks, Peter Spruell, head vet at White Lodge Veterinary Surgery in Exmouth, urged people to spare a thought for cats, dogs and other pets that could become anxious because of the loud noises.Mr Spruell said…

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BBC presenters head into Children in Need challenge final stretch

BBC presenters head into Children in Need challenge final stretch

BBCBBC Radio Devon presenter Caroline Densley will be walking around Plymouth and Devonport on day two of the challengeBBC Radio Devon presenters have set off on the second and final day of a 1,000-mile (1,609km) three-legged charity challenge for Children in Need.Caroline Densley and Michael Chequer plan to walk 12.5 miles (20.1km) while tied to a different person, which have included volunteers and staff from Children in Need-funded projects, over the course of the two-day fundraising challenge.On Wednesday,…

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Plymouth anti-child exploitation operation has ‘haunting’ results

Plymouth anti-child exploitation operation has ‘haunting’ results

Police have described the results of an operation to target child exploitation in Plymouth as "haunting".On 30 October, officers from Devon and Cornwall Police's city centre neighbourhood team conducted a day of action around the exploitation of children.Police cadets worked with officers to conduct test purchases at hotels, in which an attempt was made to book a double bedroom for one night, to be paid for with cash, no ID was provided, and neither officer or cadet carried…

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Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels 2025: Youngest runner meets oldest

Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels 2025: Youngest runner meets oldest

Dan Wareing and Andrea Ormsby,DevonBBCJessica told Les White she was "excited and a little bit nervous" for the eventWearing "a warm woolly jumper" is key to success at one of Devon's most historic traditions, according to the oldest man taking part this year.Les White, 69, will be taking part in the Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels on Wednesday evening, with up to 20,000 spectators expected.A total of 27 flaming barrels will be carried, or rolled, through the town,…

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BBC Radio Devon presenters take on three-legged challenge

BBC Radio Devon presenters take on three-legged challenge

BBCMichael Chequer was joined by breast cancer survivor Louise ButcherBBC radio presenters endured wind and rain on the first day of a 1,000-mile three-legged charity challenge for Children in Need.Caroline Densley and Michael Chequer from BBC Radio Devon intend to cover 12.5 miles (20.12km) over the two-day challenge. The pair have walked each mile tied to a different person, including volunteers and staff from Children in Need-funded projects.Densley, who began the challenge at Exmouth Lifeboat Station, said the…

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