Devon News

All-female tuna fishing crew aim to inspire others

The first all-female Atlantic Bluefin tuna fishing crew to launch from Salcombe has set sail. The crew, comprised of women from marine charities, female skippers, and even a member of Team England Angling had the goal of inspiring other women to join the industry.Hannah Rudd, head of marine at the Angling Trust said: "There are so many different career options for so many different interests, whether you want to go into policy, be a scientist, work in recreational…

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Plymouth sees start of ‘one of the biggest’ play areas

Work to create "one of the biggest city centre play areas in the country" has started, a council has said.In July, the first part of Plymouth's Armada Way regeneration project opened to the public.The city centre scheme has been the subject of debate after more than 100 trees were felled in March 2023.Councillor Mark Lowry said Plymouth City Council wanted the play village to be "a destination in its own right".He said: "The High Street has changed dramatically…

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Crisis over big dogs in care in South West sparks RSPCA appeal

Crisis over big dogs in care in South West sparks RSPCA appeal

RSPCATwo-year-old Sox was found abandonedThe RSPCA is urging people in the South West to consider adopting larger dogs because it is struggling with record numbers in its care.New data from the charity revealed it can take up to seven times longer for some bigger breeds to find a new home compared to smaller ones.As a result, "gentle giants" like Cane Corso cross Lemmy and Labrador cross Sox are being repeatedly passed over during their time in kennels at…

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Exeter pet owner sentenced for dog ‘pack attack’ on woman

A woman whose three German shepherd-cross dogs attacked a woman in a playing field and mauled a small dog to death has been given a 12-month suspended sentence.Sarah Pike, 51, from Exeter, admitted being the owner in charge of dogs dangerously out of control that caused injury in December at Exwick playing fields, in Exeter, when the animals were off their leads.Pike also admitted two other charges on the same day of being the person in charge of…

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Exeter College restaurant wins best of the year for second time

Exeter College restaurant wins best of the year for second time

Exeter CollegeEdie and Millie were visited Birmingham and impressed the judgesA student-run eatery in Devon has been named college restaurant of the year for the second time.Exeter College's fine dining restaurant @Thirty-Four was awarded the AA College Restaurant of the Year - the "highest accolade" achievable for students.The restaurant won the award for the first time in 2023 and were presented with the 2025 award in London at the AA Hospitality Awards.Exeter College said Edie and Millie, two…

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Owner puts struggling Paignton Zoo on the market

Paignton Zoo is on the market, its owner the charity Wild Planet Trust has confirmed.No guide price has been released, but a spokesperson confirmed the 85-acre (34-hectare) estate - home to more than 2,000 animals - together with an additional 18 acres (7 hectares) of adjacent land was for sale and "the intention is for it to remain as a zoo". The trust, which has previously acknowledged financial pressures, said it had already taken steps to address the…

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Electrical shop returns to Devon high street after 18 years

An electrical shop will return to a high street after 18 years.Hockridge Appliance Centre operated in Tavistock for 12 years, before closing the branch for commercial reasons in the 2000s.Now the company, which has a store in Launceston, is returning to the town with a new shop in Brook Street on the site of the Towls electrical appliance store, which is closing after 53 years.Owner Karl Hockridge said he was "delighted" to bring the family firm back to…

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Coach aims for wider Devon wheelchair basketball team recognition

Coach aims for wider Devon wheelchair basketball team recognition

BBCJack Davey leads the Exeter Otters, who were founded in 1980The head coach of a Devon-based wheelchair basketball club says his "big goal" is to see his side become as well-known as other professional rugby and football sides in its city home.Jack Davey leads the Exeter Otters, who were founded in 1980 and are believed to be the UK's oldest such team.In previous years, the club had struggled to put out a side out, but the club is…

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South West Water AI trial ‘is cutting sewage pollution’

South West Water AI trial ‘is cutting sewage pollution’

Kirk EnglandSouth West environment and tourism correspondentBBCAI is being used to help identify changes in water levels in the network that could indicate if a blockage is developing in a sewerA trial that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to predict if sewers are becoming blocked has helped cut pollution, South West Water has said. The AI analysed data from 12,000 sensors on the network, monitoring how water levels were rising and falling, to help determine if a sewer is…

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Train operator GWR to be renationalised in about a year

Train operator GWR to be renationalised in about a year

PAGWR will follow West Midlands Trains, Govia Thameslink Railway and Chiltern Railways in transferring back under public controlTrain company GWR (Great Western Railways) will be returned to public ownership "in about a year's time", one of its bosses has said.The operator, which runs services across the south-west of England, Wales and to London, is expected to be among the next four operators named in the government's plan to nationalise nearly all rail services in England by 2027.Managing director…

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Plymouth-based frigate tests new missile off Norway

On-board cameras show a Royal Navy warship successfully firing a powerful new type of missile for the first time.HMS Somerset, based in Plymouth, launched the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) during a training exercise in Norway, working alongside Norwegian and Polish forces. The missile can hit targets more than 100 miles (160km) away and is designed to replace the older Harpoon system.The NSM is faster, more accurate, and harder to detect, the navy said.Cdr Matt Millyard, HMS Somerset's commanding…

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