‘Being prescribed time at the coast helped me back into work’

BBCKelly Pardy's eight-week nature prescription included snorkelling and rock-poolingKelly Pardy was born with juvenile macular degeneration - a visual impairment that affects her central vision.The impact of the condition became particularly challenging when she became unemployed for a period of time. However, a referral to a "blue" social prescribing scheme in 2023 run by the Ocean Conservation Trust helped her through this difficult time.The eight-week nature prescription included snorkelling, rock-pooling and spending time at the National Marine Aquarium…

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FA Cup first round draw: Robbie Savage’s Forest Green face Jack Wilshere’s Luton

Weston-super-Mare v Aldershot TownSalford City v Lincoln CityLuton Town v Forest Green RoversGainsborough Trinity or Hartlepool United v Accrington StanleyColchester United v Milton Keynes DonsTranmere Rovers v Stockport CountyWigan Athletic v Hemel Hempstead TownNewport County v GillinghamCheltenham Town v Bradford CityBarnsley v York CityReading v Carlisle UnitedBromley v Bristol RoversPeterborough United v Cardiff CityOldham Athletic v Northampton TownCrewe Alexandra v Doncaster RoversTamworth v Leyton OrientStevenage v Chesterfield Boreham Wood v Crawley TownFarnham Town or Sutton United v AFC…

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Piano bike musician cancels tour dates after Tamworth van theft

Chloe Marie AstonMs Aston was performing in Tamworth when the van was takenA woman who set out to busk in every town in the UK with her custom-built "piano bike" has cancelled a string of tour dates after her van was stolen.Chloe Marie Aston, from Ilfracombe, Devon, was performing in Tamworth on Saturday when the vehicle, which she left locked, was taken from Spinning School Lane car park."It was a horrible shock, just disbelief", the 21-year-old said, adding…

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Filming of Harry Potter is ‘massive’ for Devon and Cornwall

Terry BurtonFilming took place at Kynance Cove among other places in the regionPeople around the South West have said the production of a new Harry Potter TV series is "absolutely massive" for the region.The new HBO show, based on JK Rowling's best-selling series of novels, has been filming in Devon and Cornwall at places including Cadgwith and Carnglaze Caverns.Terry Burton went to Kynance Cove to take some pictures of the film crew and said the new series "is…

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Human skull found in bag at statue prompts police probe

Police have launched an investigation after a carrier bag containing a human skull was found next to a statue in Devon.Officers were called to Kings Quay, in Brixham, at 15:40 BST on Thursday where they found the plastic bag beside the Man and Boy statue on the quayside.The bag has been seized by police and, following examination, the bone was confirmed to be a human skull. Police said inquiries suggested the skull was located by fishermen out at…

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Health secretary Wes Streeting urged to visit Torbay Hospital

Guy HendersonLocal Democracy Reporting ServiceGuy Henderson/LDRSMP Steve Darling (bottom left) wants Health Secretary Wes Streeting to visit Torbay HospitalA Devon MP has urged the health secretary to visit a "crumbling" hospital which he said was in desperate need of renovation.Steve Darling said Torbay Hospital was in a "dire and critical condition" with sewage leaks and structural problems and he called on Wes Streeting to take a look "without delay".The previous Conservative government had promised a complete rebuild of…

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Mother murdered by stranger ‘was kind and warm’, inquest told

The family of the woman who was murdered by a stranger in Devon are still coming to terms with her loss, an inquest has heard.Wife, mother and grandmother Lorna England, 74, was murdered as she walked through Ludwell Valley Park in Exeter in February 2023.At the hearing in Exeter, her son Richard described his mother as the "embodiment of warmth and kindness" who put others before herself. Daughter Jackie added Mrs England was "always up for a laugh…

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‘Complicated’ EPR packaging tax criticised by South West firms

George ThorpeSouth West andSeb NobleCornwall political reporterBBCBusiness owners think Extended Producer Responsibility would force price rises for customersBusinesses in the South West have raised concerns a new tax on packaging could force them to raise prices.The government introduced Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) this month which required firms to cover the cost for collecting, recycling and disposing of packaging it produces, with the money going to councils which collected the waste.Owners of businesses have criticised the tax, which some…

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Reading FC vow ‘strongest action’ after alleged racism at Exeter

Reading FC says it will support the "strongest possible action" if an alleged racist comment from one of its supporters is proven.The Royals' League One match at Exeter City on Saturday was paused in the 74th minute by referee James Durkin after the allegation was made by a player.The club said on Monday it has a "zero-tolerance approach to all forms of discrimination" and will work with Exeter and the football authorities to investigate what happened.The match, attended…

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Crime reporting tool helping Teignmouth businesses

Traders in a seaside town believe an online crime reporting tool will make a "big difference".The UK Partners Against Crime (UKPAC) Business Crime Reduction Partnership was launched in Teignmouth in August with 12 months of funding from Devon and Cornwall's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Alison Hernandez.So far, 10 businesses and Teignmouth Town Council have signed up to UKPAC which lets people report crimes and share information between themselves and police to tackle repeat offenders.Jo Gask, owner of…

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Ollie Watkins to miss England World Cup qualifier against Latvia with injury

England striker Ollie Watkins will miss the World Cup qualifier in Latvia on Tuesday because of injury.The 29-year-old was replaced at half-time of the Three Lions' 3-0 win against Wales on Thursday.Watkins scored his side's second goal at Wembley but collided with the post late in the first half after missing a chance.England boss Thomas Tuchel said afterwards that the Aston Villa forward was "OK" but the striker has returned to Villa and will miss the trip to…

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Stuart Hogg on retirement mistake and Montpellier reset

Hogg admitted shouting and swearing and acting in an abusive manner towards his ex-wife when he appeared in court last year.The former full-back, who joined Exeter from Glasgow Warriors in 2019, was spared jail time when sentenced in Selkirk Sheriff Court in January and was instead ordered to complete a community payback order with one year of supervision.In March, a sheriff noted Hogg's "complete compliance" with the order and said no further review of it would take place.He…

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