Devon News

Children help search for harvest mice nests in Devon

Children help search for harvest mice nests in Devon

PA MediaChildren have been taking part in a national survey recording harvest miceChildren have been taking part in a survey to record the number of harvest mice nests in the countryside.Pupils from Holbeton Primary School in Devon visited fields near Mothercombe beach to search for the nests of Britain's smallest rodents.Two of the students, Viola and Alice, described the nests as grass and hay in a "little ball" with a hole in the middle for the "harvest mice…

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‘Adorable’ endangered king colobus monkey born at Paignton Zoo

‘Adorable’ endangered king colobus monkey born at Paignton Zoo

A rare and endangered king colobus monkey has been born at a zoo.Paignton Zoo in Devon said the "adorable baby", believed to be a girl, was born on 22 October after her 14-year old mother, Lola, gave birth in the monkey heights exhibit.It said the species was classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the zoo was one of 13 facilities across the UK which housed the "incredibly rare" species.James Shora, mammals…

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Torquay United boss Paul Wotton praises side despite Hornchurch defeat

Torquay United boss Paul Wotton praises side despite Hornchurch defeat

Torquay United manager Paul Wotton praised his side's performance despite being beaten 2-1 at home by National League South leaders Hornchurch.Callum Dolan gave the Gulls an 11th-minute lead from the penalty spot after the Gulls forward had been fouled in the box.But Hornchurch drew level through a Henry Hearn penalty nine minutes later before Angelo Balenta scored what proved to be the winner three minutes after the break.Torquay created a host of openings after going behind but could…

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Retired banker completes 200th marathon in 200 days

Retired banker completes 200th marathon in 200 days

BBCSteve James finished his 200th marathon in 200 days in Topsham, where he began the challenge in AprilA 66-year-old man has completed 200 marathons in 200 days around the British coastline.Retired banker Steve James travelled 5,240 miles (8433km) since setting off from Topsham, Devon in April, and returned there to finish his challenge on Saturday.Researchers at the University of Exeter monitored the impact on his body throughout the journey.Mr James said: "I haven't had a day off in…

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Snowdrops flower early at the Garden House in Devon

Snowdrops flower early at the Garden House in Devon

Snowdrops are flowering early at the Garden House near Yelverton, West Devon.The blooms appeared in October, weeks before their usual season, and experts said the early blooming was due to the UK's long, dry summer.Head gardener Nick Haworth explained that the plants were from hot southern European countries where autumn flowering is not unusual."We've got around 400 varieties of snowdrops at The Garden House and while it's not unusual to see the odd Mediterranean snowdrop popping its head…

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Teen honoured with memorial at new skatepark

Teen honoured with memorial at new skatepark

Alex Green,South West and John Ayres,In TotnesBBCTracey Swan, Max Hamilton's mother, was at the event at Totnes SkateparkThe mother of a teenager who died after he fell off his skateboard has welcomed the opening of a new skatepark in his hometown.Max Hamilton, 19, from Totnes, Devon, died in 2019 after he hit his head when he lost control of his skateboard on Greenbank Road in Plymouth.There is a memorial to him at the new skatepark, which was officially…

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Couple return to stage where they met for 20-year anniversary

Couple return to stage where they met for 20-year anniversary

A couple who met on stage celebrated a milestone anniversary by visiting the place where it all began. Helen and Graham Tudor met while performing in the pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk at Theatre Royal Plymouth in 2005, after unexpected changes in the production. They had not been scheduled for the show but, after a last-minute casting call, found themselves performing the lead roles of Jack and Princess Apricot. One year later, Mr Tudor proposed to the now…

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Dartmoor visitors warned to stay away from cows during calving

Dartmoor visitors warned to stay away from cows during calving

Dartmoor National Park AssociationDartmoor National Park Association is asking visitors to keep a safe distance from cows and their calves People are being urged to stay away from cows and give them space during calving season.Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) revealed there had been cases of people putting their children on the back of calves.Deputy head ranger Ella Breins said they did not like putting signs up on Dartmoor but they only do it if they had "genuine…

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Jack Fitzwater: Exeter defender says club want to avoid being ‘turned over’ in FA Cup

Jack Fitzwater: Exeter defender says club want to avoid being ‘turned over’ in FA Cup

In the past two seasons, the Grecians have signed two Halifax Town players - Millenic Alli and Andrew Oluwabori - and Fitzwater expects the current crop of players at the National League club will give them a stern test."The clubs seem to have a good relationship. Both [players] came in and did well. We're going to have to go there with a gameplan and be ready for a really tough afternoon," he said."Hopefully we do the basics well,…

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Hundreds turn out to oppose Holsworthy mega solar farm plans

Hundreds turn out to oppose Holsworthy mega solar farm plans

Kirk EnglandSouth West environment and tourism correspondentBBCStephen Crowther, from the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is opposing the plansHundreds of people have attended a meeting in opposition to plans for one the UK's biggest solar farms.More than 200 residents packed into Holsworthy Memorial Hall in Devon earlier to hear concerns about the proposed 1,100 hectares (2,700 acres) Beacon Solar project.The Campaign to Protect Rural England's (CPRE) described the plans as "a market dash in favour of government policy",…

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New plans to carve Devon up into four unitary authorities

New plans to carve Devon up into four unitary authorities

Miles DavisDevon political reporterGetty ImagesA new plan has emerged to carve Devon up into four unitary authorities as part of local government reorganisationA new plan for Devon to be carved up into four unitary authorities has emerged.Under the government's massive shake up of local government, all district and county councils will be abolished so that one authority will run all council services in any one area.Plymouth, Torbay and Exeter have now revealed they are all working together on…

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