Devon News

Plymouth triple-amputee wins armed forces inspiration award

Plymouth triple-amputee wins armed forces inspiration award

A former Royal Marine commando has won an award as part of a national platform which celebrates the achievements of the armed forces community.Plymouth-based triple amputee Mark Ormrod MBE won the 'Inspiration Award' at the Soldiering On Awards in London on Wednesday.Mr Ormrod, 42, lost both legs and his right arm when he stood on an improvised explosive device while on patrol in Afghanistan on Christmas Eve in 2007.When accepting the award, Mr Omrod said it was an…

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South West Water given red score over pollution

South West Water given red score over pollution

Caroline Robinson,South West and Kirk England,South West environment and tourism correspondentBBCSouth West Water has never risen above a two star rating for environmental performanceSouth West Water (SWW) has been rated "red" for its environmental performance for the 14th year in a row, meaning it is "significantly below target", the Environment Agency has said.The company was given two stars out of a possible four in the annual Environmental Performance Assessment report for 2024.The agency said the water firm had…

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70 horses and foals rescued in 15-month operation in Devon

70 horses and foals rescued in 15-month operation in Devon

Caroline RobinsonSouth WestThe Mare and Foal SanctuaryA foal with bright blue eyes was taken in as part of an operation to rescue 70 horsesSeventy rare-breed Icelandic horses and foals have been rescued in a 15-month welfare operation by animal charities.Public concerns were first raised in May 2024 about the herds of semi feral horses kept at several sites around Devon. The reports prompted a complex welfare operation by The Mare and Foal Sanctuary and RSPCA.The sanctuary said there…

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Devon and Somerset campaign urges young drivers not to drive at night

Devon and Somerset campaign urges young drivers not to drive at night

Anna VarleSouth West home and social affairs correspondentBBCA campaign has been launched to reduce the number of fatal road traffic collisions among 17-24 year oldsA campaign has been launched to help reduce the number of fatal road traffic collisions involving 17 to 24 year-olds.Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service's Top 3 campaign highlights the three greatest risks young drivers face - passing driving tests with limited experience, driving late at night, and distractions from peers.Young male drivers…

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‘Devon derby match disorder will be dealt with robustly’, police

‘Devon derby match disorder will be dealt with robustly’, police

Caroline RobinsonSouth WestBBCCh Insp Victoria Richards said there would be 180 police officers at the matchPolice have said they are prepared to deal with any disorder surrounding a Devon derby football match on Thursday. Ch Insp Victoria Richards of Devon and Cornwall Police said the sold out fixture at Exeter's St James Park was "medium risk" and a "highlight of the south west football calendar".She said: "A small minority of fans may be looking to cause some disorder…

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Devon family’s ‘turmoil’ over Ryanair name change policy

A family said they were shown a lack of empathy by an airline following a bereavement. Sophie Taylor, from Chudleigh, Devon, purchased two tickets with Ryanair in October 2024 as part of a package holiday to Lanzarote for her mum Sharon Watkins' 60th birthday celebration. Sadly, her mother died in August, two months before the holiday was due to take place. When Ms Taylor requested to change the name on her mother's ticket to her father's name, she…

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Agatha Christie meets Mr Men in new children’s books

Agatha Christie meets Mr Men in new children’s books

Emma SaundersCulture reporterTHOIP (a SANRIO company)/Agatha Christie LtdMiss Marple and Mr Poirot have been given the Little Miss and Mr Men treatmentIn a first for Agatha Christie, four of the crime novelist's famous mysteries are being adapted for children – with the help of the Mr Men and Little Misses.The illustrated books, aimed at pre-school and primary age children, will feature Christie detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple working alongside Roger Hargreaves's much-loved children's characters.Two of the books…

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Storm Benjamin ‘to bring wind and heavy rain’ to South West

Storm Benjamin ‘to bring wind and heavy rain’ to South West

Caroline RobinsonSouth WestMet OfficeA yellow weather warning for wind and rain has been issued for ThursdayHeavy rain and wind gusts up to 60mph (97 km/h) are forecast for the South West on Thursday due to Storm Benjamin. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly from 06:00 to 15:00 BST.It is also warning of heavy rain from 00:00 until 21:00 in Devon and Cornwall as Storm Benjamin,…

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Man who tried to smuggle Iraqis sentenced after Devon arrest

An Iraqi national has been sentenced for breaching UK immigration laws after arriving on a yacht from France with a group of fellow migrants, including a baby.Failed asylum seeker Rasty Hassan, 27, was intercepted off the coast of Brixham, Devon, in September 2024 aboard the 26ft (8m) yacht Induna, Plymouth Crown Court heard.He pleaded guilty to arriving in the UK without entry clearance and to conspiring to facilitate illegal entry for others and was handed a two-year prison…

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Ethan Roots: Exeter flanker backed to earn England recall

England will also have 'A' internationals over the autumn period which could be a chance for Roots to show his worth having missed out on the England training squad that was announced earlier this week.Exeter have started the season well, winning two and drawing one of their four matches, having ended last season second from bottom.Baxter says it affects him personally when players are called up or miss out on the England squad. "All I've said to him…

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Devon derby: Exeter City prepare to resume Plymouth Argyle rivalry

The bosses of both sides know a thing or two about derby matches.Exeter's manager Gary Caldwell was Celtic captain and led his side out against Rangers in one of the fiercest derbies in world football.Meanwhile Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley - a former Manchester United, Everton and Watford player - has been involved in big games against Manchester City, Liverpool and Luton. "Until you're in a derby you don't really know what it's like, so I don't think…

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Parking changes made at Plymouth beauty spot

Parking changes made at Plymouth beauty spot

Parking charges have been introduced to part of a car park after it was taken over. All of the car park at Devil's Point in Plymouth was previously free for three hours but has been reconfigured to operate as two areas, with 40% now part of the Royal William Yard (RWY) facilities, which have charges, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.Urban Splash, which was responsible for the regeneration of RWY, said the changes were part of a longstanding…

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