Devon News

A38 section in Devon shut due to bridge defect, says highways

A38 section in Devon shut due to bridge defect, says highways

A section of the A38 has been closed due to a bridge expansion joint defect, highways bosses have said.National Highways said both lanes on the eastbound carriageway have been shut between the B3380 at Lower Dean and A384 at Buckfastleigh in Devon for emergency repairs.It added repairs would be carried out overnight, with engineers set to be at the site until 06:00 GMT on Wednesday.Bosses said the problems were with the steel joints which were "built into the…

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Licence review for Exeter’s Timepiece nightclub over spike claim

Licence review for Exeter’s Timepiece nightclub over spike claim

Miles DavisDevon political reporterBBCThe family of a young woman who allegedly had her drink spiked are applying for Timepiece in Exeter to have its licence reviewedA student who allegedly had her drink spiked in Freshers' Week is calling for a nightclub to have its licence reviewed.Documents set to be reviewed by Exeter City Council's licensing sub-committee said staff at Timepiece failed to call an ambulance and told the woman to move away from the club on 20 September.Staff…

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Traders say A382 closure in Newton Abbot has hampered sales

Traders say A382 closure in Newton Abbot has hampered sales

Plants GalorePlants Galore owner Tony Joyner said turnover at the Newton Abbot store had fallen by 34%Business owners said they have experienced a drop in sales since a two-year roadworks project started.The A382, which connects Newton Abbot to the A38, has been closed since September as part of Devon County Council's (DCC) scheme to improve safety, ease congestion and boost options for walkers and cyclists.Tony Joyner, owner of the Plants Galore garden centre just off the A382, said…

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Derek Adams: Former Plymouth manager returns as director of football

Derek Adams: Former Plymouth manager returns as director of football

Plymouth are currently bottom of League One and have lost their past five matches in all competitions.They have won just four out of 15 league games so far under former Watford boss Cleverley, who was appointed in the summer. The ex-Manchester United midfielder said following their 3-1 defeat by Huddersfield on Saturday that he will "fight" to turn the team's fortunes around.The club's former head of recruitment Tom Randle - who oversaw the summer transfer window - left…

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Reclaim The Night 2025 – Exeter Observer

Reclaim The Night 2025 – Exeter Observer
Reclaim The Night 2025 – Exeter Observer

Good journalism costs money  Upgrade to paid E O Exeter Observer Local news that matters ON OUR RADAR Annual protest against sexual violence and harassment of women and girls in public space. Leigh Curtis Good journalism costs money The only way to cover the cost of producing and publishing Exeter Observer's independent public interest journalism

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Devon man to shave moustache off after 50 years

Devon man to shave moustache off after 50 years

Rob EwenRob Ewen from Okehampton first grew his moustache in 1975A man who has been growing his moustache for 50 years is planning to shave it off to raise money for charity.Rob Ewen, from Okehampton, Devon, said he first grew his moustache in 1975 when he completed his Royal Marines training to make him look older and because it was fashionable at the time.Mr Ewen said he was raising money for The Royal Marines Charity and for men's…

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South West falls silent for Armistice Day ceremonies

South West falls silent for Armistice Day ceremonies

BBCMembers of Torbay's Royal British Legion attended a ceremony in TorquayPeople across the South West fell silent at Armistice Day events held across the region.A two-minute silence was held across the UK at 11:00 GMT to commemorate the exact time of an agreement to end the fighting in World War One on 11 November 1918.Events in places including Penzance, Truro, Plymouth, Exeter and Torquay were held for people who wished to pay their respects.There were also commemorations made…

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Barnstaple charity helping children cope with grief

Barnstaple charity helping children cope with grief

BBCLauren, 13, has received help from Barnstaple-based charity Families in Grief after her grandparents diedA girl said a Children in Need-backed charity has helped her deal with grief and regain confidence.Following the loss of her grandparents, Lauren, 13, received support from Families in Grief, who work with children, young people and their families who have experienced the death of a loved one.The Barnstaple charity has received a £105,000 grant, split over three years, from Children in Need to…

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Appeal after serious sexual assault in Sidmouth park

Appeal after serious sexual assault in Sidmouth park

Police are investigating a report of a serious sexual assault on a woman in Devon. Devon and Cornwall Police said the woman was assaulted by a man in The Byes, Sidmouth. The victim is being supported by specially trained officers and witnesses have been asked to come forward.Police said the incident happened at about 23:30 GMT on Sunday. Officers are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time or anyone with information to assist the…

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Plan for three mobile saunas at Blackpool Sands rejected

Plan for three mobile saunas at Blackpool Sands rejected

A plan to put mobile saunas on a Devon beach has been rejected.South Hams District Council's Development Control Committee heard it would be a "dereliction of duty" to allow the saunas at Blackpool Sands.Sea Kayak Devon and the Blackpool Start Partnership already have one sauna on the sands and had applied to replace it with three new pods - which would have been visible from the road and coast path.Planning officers believed the benefits of the saunas would…

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Cottage approved after unlawful demolition

Cottage approved after unlawful demolition

Miles DavisDevon political reporterBBCSome of the work that was carried out at Singleton Gardens in April exceeded the planning consentA stop notice was issued by Torbay Council after demolition work was carried out at the siteTorbay Council's planning committee heard this was the latest in a series of applications made for the site on Meadfoot Sea Road in the Wellswood area of Torquay.Mike Cowdery from the Torquay Neighbourhood Forum said the latest planning application did "nothing but sow…

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‘I’ve given seven babies to other families and do not regret it’

‘I’ve given seven babies to other families and do not regret it’

Jen SmithSouth West health correspondentEmma PilarzEmma Pilarz has had nine children - seven of them for other peopleEmma Pilarz is a mother-of-two from Barnstaple in Devon. But she has given birth nine times – seven of the babies were for other people. She is one of a handful of surrogates across the south-west of England who have been telling the BBC why they chose to become a surrogate as the practice comes under increasing scrutiny."I'd had my two…

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