Devon News

Bideford to hold two food and drink festivals in 2026

A food and drink event in north Devon will be held twice in 2026 after a "record-breaking" number of visitors this year, a council has said.Torridge District Council said the eat:Bideford festival had more than 8,500 attendees this year compared to 6,000 in 2023, when the event was first held.The council said "We are thrilled to announce that Bideford won't just be getting one festival in 2026… we're getting two."Economic development manager Chris Fuller said the food and…

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Exmouth house fire extinguished after eight-hour battle

A blaze which engulfed a house and garden for nearly eight hours in a seaside town is believed to have been started accidentally, firefighters said.Several crews from Devon and Somerset Fire Service were called out to the incident on Claredale Road in Exmouth at about 12:50 BST on Friday and led to warning to avoid the area.The service said the blaze had started in the garden of the property before spreading to the house. All people and a…

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Plymouth students asked to take part in Red Bull mast challenge

Plymouth students asked to take part in Red Bull mast challenge

REDBULLThe challenge involves running up a greased mast to grab a flag as quickly as possibleStudents from universities in Plymouth are being invited by Red Bull to take part in one of its challenges.The sports drink company said its Up The Mast challenge was a success in 2024 when it was hosted at St Andrews Harbour in Scotland.The challenge involves running up a greased mast to grab a flag as quickly as possible with participants ending up in…

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Navy removes live grenade and WW2 shell in Cornwall and Devon

A team of Royal Navy divers from HMNB Devonport disposed of a live grenade and a World War Two shell in two separate call-outs.The team first responded to a grenade found at the Cornwall Energy Centre in St Austell, confirmed to be a live British military grenade, on Wednesday.It was then urgently sent to Plymstock in Plymouth, following a report of an artillery shell found under a shed in a residential property.After assessment, both items were safely removed…

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Devon reorganisation plans criticised by Exeter council leader

Devon reorganisation plans criticised by Exeter council leader

Miles DavisDevon political reporterBBCExeter City Council leader Phil Bialyk wants to see the city expand to form a new unitary authorityPlans to reorganise local government in Devon have been heavily criticised by a rival council leader.All of the district councils and the county council will be abolished and replaced by unitary authorities in the biggest shake-up of local government for 50 years.Devon County Council unveiled its plans on Thursday to create the unitary authority New Devon - retaining…

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Three Devon areas in line for £20m of government funding each

Three areas in Devon are set to get £20m each over 10 years for improvements from a £5bn government scheme aimed at reviving high streets, parks and public spaces.Devonport and Mount Wise and St Budeaux, both in Plymouth, are on the list of 169 communities to receive the Pride in Place funding.Torbay's Blatchcombe and Blagdon will also receive the government cash boost.Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport said: "The best thing about this new money is…

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Firefighters tackling Exmouth house fire

Firefighters are tackling a blaze at a house in a seaside town.The incident was reported at about 12:50 BST on Friday on Claredale Road in Exmouth, with six crews from Devon and Somerset Fire Service being sent to the scene.The fire service said its crews were working internally and externally at the property to contain the spread of the flames.A spokesperson added the crews had been removing plasterboard and roof tiles as part of efforts to prevent further…

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Tegan Finn: Plymouth Argyle youngster relishing senior opportunities

Growing up as an Argyle fan - his favourite player was Graham Carey - has given Finn a love for the club that is is matched by his talent.Former boss Wayne Rooney gave Finn his debut away at Leeds United as a 16-year-old making him the sixth youngest debutant in the club's history.He says his dream is to impress in front of the fans at Home Park that he was once sat with - as well as earn…

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Exeter City’s Ilmari Niskanen helps steer young people from crime

An Exeter City footballer hopes to use his own "positive and negative" experiences to encourage young people to stay in education and away from crime.Finnish midfielder Ilmari Niskanen, who was convicted of a drink driving offence in March, is taking part in a new scheme set up by the Exeter City Community Trust.Change Our Path targets 12-18 year-olds identified as being involved in - or at risk of - youth crime and educational disengagement.Niskanen said he wants to…

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PE teacher from Plymouth wins gold at Pickleball championships

PE teacher from Plymouth wins gold at Pickleball championships

Caroline RobinsonSouth WestKirsty GrayKirsty Gray (holding racket) won the gold medal in the senior ladies eventA teacher who has only been playing pickleball for a year has won a gold medal in the senior ladies event at the European Pickleball Championships in Rome.Kirsty Gray, from Plymouth, said she was "completely in shock" after winning the contest.Thirty countries took part in the European Pickleball Federation's second European Team Championships from 19 to 21 September.Gray said: "I keep looking back…

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Devon and Somerset fire service told to make improvements

Devon and Somerset fire service told to make improvements

BBCStaff have been urged to record faults and escalate them to senior leadsDevon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has been told to make improvements when it comes to issues that may affect the time taken to get to incidents. A revisit inspection of the service by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services in July found "long-standing issues" with the system which had "not previously been resolved in a timely manner".It said some of…

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Jack Mackenzie: Plymouth Argyle defender suffers further injury setback

Plymouth Argyle defender Jack Mackenzie will be out for a further four to six weeks after suffering from shin splints.The 25-year-old has yet to play for the Pilgrims since his summer move from Aberdeen after suffering tendonitis in his knee during pre-season.But having overcome that problem the Scottish Cup winner has been sidelined with a new issue which will likely keep him out until November.It is another blow to the Pilgrims who have lost Julio Pleguezuelo, Caleb Watts…

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