Devon News

Charity’s celeb advent calendar talks about mental health

Charity’s celeb advent calendar talks about mental health

Spark UKSir Stephen Fry is one of the celebrities included in the mental health advent calendarA mental health charity has launched an advent calendar which shares celebrity messages to encourage people to talk about mental health. Spark UK, a charity launched in North Devon, has released its fifth and final advent calendar which includes celebrities such as Sir Stephen Fry, Henry Rowley and Alfie Boe.The non-profit mental health charity was launched in 2020 by teenager Conor Warren with…

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Charity’s celebrity advent calendar highlights mental health

Charity’s celebrity advent calendar highlights mental health

Spark UKSir Stephen Fry is one of the celebrities included in the mental health advent calendarA mental health charity has launched an advent calendar which shares celebrity messages to encourage people to talk about mental health. Spark UK, a charity launched in North Devon, has released its fifth and final advent calendar which includes celebrities such as Sir Stephen Fry, Henry Rowley and Alfie Boe.The non-profit mental health charity was launched in 2020 by teenager Conor Warren with…

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Memorial bench planned for murdered lecturer Claire Chick

Memorial bench planned for murdered lecturer Claire Chick

There are plans for a memorial bench to be placed in the centre of the University of Plymouth in memory of a university lecturer who was murdered.Claire Chick was stabbed to death​ in January by her estranged husband, who is now serving a life sentence.She was awarded a posthumous PhD in October and friends and colleagues at the university created the Claire Chick Nursing Fund to support student nurses. Professor Aled Jones, from the School of Nursing and…

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Work begins on Paignton coastal flood protection scheme

Work begins on Paignton coastal flood protection scheme

Watch: A flythrough of the planned coastal defences (This video has no sound)A multimillion-pound project to upgrade a seafront to protect hundreds of homes at risk of coastal flooding has started.Paignton seafront and Preston beach in Devon are getting new defences designed to protect about 350 homes and businesses from damaging easterly storms in decades to come.The Environment Agency said its climate change models predicted larger areas of Paignton would become affected by coastal flooding over the next…

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Constantin Ursu beats Ryan Amos to win European title with ‘faultless’ display

Constantin Ursu beats Ryan Amos to win European title with ‘faultless’ display

Ursu's fight was his first since March following surgery for a torn bicep.The win took his record to a perfect 14 victories from 14 fights against an opponent who had lost just two fights in his career going into the bout. "It was a faultless display, Constantin did everything correct," added Dann. "Coming off the back of a major surgery, a big injury, he went into the contest ahead of schedule and he performed exceptionally in my opinion."He…

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Disruption as rain hits the South West coast

Disruption as rain hits the South West coast

Strong winds and heavy rain has hit south-west England with disruption across Devon and Cornwall.A number of trees have fallen down in Devon, with drivers urged to seek alternative routes.According to Highways, there is a fallen tree on Bodmin Street near Holsworthy, one partially blocking the B3165 and reports of a tree partially overhanging the road joining the A383 near Bickington.The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for rain for Devon and Cornwall from 00:01 GMT on…

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Gary Caldwell: Exeter City boss proud of performance in Bradford City loss

Gary Caldwell: Exeter City boss proud of performance in Bradford City loss

The result means Exeter have lost three of their past five league games.But despite the club's difficult league position, and financial issues off the field that means his budget is frozen, Caldwell is confident his side have what it takes to stay up. "I know the outcome of a football match is what everyone cares about and what you need to get right," he said."But over the course of 46 games we have to be clear on what…

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Exeter City captain blending firefighting with football

Exeter City captain blending firefighting with football

BBCBow Jackson says the two jobs complement each otherA professional footballer says her other job as a firefighter provides good preparation for what happens on the pitch.Exeter City captain Bow Jackson has worked with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service for the last seven years.Since joining the Grecians in 2022 she has helped the club gain promotion to the third tier of the women's game.Speaking about her two contrasting roles she said: "I'm probably exposed to pressures…

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‘Commitment’ to keep Devon’s libraries open

‘Commitment’ to keep Devon’s libraries open

BBCA consultation from Devon County Council to consider the future usage of libraries is set to run until 22 FebruaryThere are no plans to close libraries as "mounting financial pressures" are dealt with, council bosses have said.Devon County Council (DCC) has launched a consultation asking for views about the future of the 50 libraries run on its behalf by the Libraries Unlimited charity.Proposals include reducing and standardising opening hours, using technology to allow registered users to enter sites…

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HMS Richmond welcomed home to Plymouth after eight months

HMS Richmond welcomed home to Plymouth after eight months

BBCThe Royal Navy frigate is crewed by 200 men and womenHundreds of relatives and friends of HMS Richmond's crew welcomed them home on Sunday following an eight-month mission. The Royal Navy said that the Plymouth-based frigate and its 200-strong ship's company, including sailors, aviators, and Royal Marine Commandos, had played an integral role in its premier deployment of 2025, Operation Highmast.HMS Richmond visited South Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines and India during its mission, in addition to taking part…

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Premiership Women’s Rugby: Gloucester-Hartpury thrash Bristol Bears

Leicester Tigers were first on the board at Franklin's Gardens, home to Loughborough Lightning, as Georgie Lingham scored in the fourth minute of the game. Plunged into her Premiership debut by an early substitution, Loughborough full-back Lucia Scott scored with her first touch in the league, showing pace to dot down a grubber provided by club veteran Bo Westcombe-Evans. It was a productive afternoon for Westcombe-Evans who, on her 50th appearance for Loughborough, crossed four times to claim…

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North Devon hospital’s A&E asks for life-threatening cases only

North Devon hospital’s A&E asks for life-threatening cases only

Patients have been told they should visit a Devon hospital's A&E department only if they have a life-threatening injury or illness. North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple is "under extreme pressure", its NHS trust explained in a Facebook post on Sunday.The post, by the Royal Devon University Healthcare trust, advised patients to call 111 or visit its website before heading to the hospital if they were unsure how serious their condition was.The trust wrote: "Please be kind to…

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