Devon News

Dartmouth food festival attracts more than 20,000 visitors

A food festival, which attracts thousands of visitors, is returning for its 21st year.This year's Dartmouth Food Festival is being held between 24 to 26 October from 10:00 BST each day and is free for visitors to explore.Organisers said there would be a chef demo theatre, wine seminars, talks with guests, and market stalls from more than 100 local producers, suppliers and growers.Festival ambassador, Orlando Murrin, said it was a "phenomenal event" that attracted more than 20,000 visitors.The…

Continue ReadingDartmouth food festival attracts more than 20,000 visitors

Storm Benjamin brings rainbows to Devon and Cornwall

Rainbows have been wowing people on a day when heavy rain battered the South West. In Devon and Cornwall two weather warnings were cancelled on Thursday after Storm Benjamin was due to hit.Rainfall of 50mm (1.97in) or more had been expected in some areas of Devon and Cornwall.A rainbow is formed by the dispersion of light when it passes through a raindrop and it slows and changes direction, due to water being denser than air. Source link

Continue ReadingStorm Benjamin brings rainbows to Devon and Cornwall

Devon care home fined £200K after two disabled residents drowned

Devon care home fined £200K after two disabled residents drowned

Jonathan MorrisSouth WestDevon and Cornwall PoliceAlison Tilsley, 63, and former rugby player Alex Wood, 43, died in the incidentA care home has been ordered to pay more than £200,000 after two wheelchair users drowned and a third was seriously hurt when a leaking boat capsized during a day trip.Exeter Magistrates' Court heard Burdon Grange Care Home, near Beaworthy in Devon, failed to carry out basic safety checks before taking six residents to Roadford Lake, near Launceston, Cornwall, in…

Continue ReadingDevon care home fined £200K after two disabled residents drowned

Family’s grief over ‘wicked’ murder of grandmother in Exeter park

Family’s grief over ‘wicked’ murder of grandmother in Exeter park

PALorna England's family said they have a "permanent empty void" because they miss her so muchThe family of a woman who was murdered by a stranger in a park say they will "never come to terms with the death of such a wonderful lady".Lorna England, 74, was murdered as she walked home from a shopping errand through Ludwell Valley Park in Exeter in February 2023.Her family spoke after Philip Spinney, senior coroner for Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, concluded…

Continue ReadingFamily’s grief over ‘wicked’ murder of grandmother in Exeter park

Harry Ascherl: Exeter sign centre following a trial with the club

Harry Ascherl: Exeter sign centre following a trial with the club

Exeter Chiefs have signed centre Harry Ascherl on a deal until the end of the season, following a trial with the club.The 24-year-old has been with the Prem outfit since pre-season and played the full 80 minutes of their defeat by Gloucester in the Prem Rugby Cup last month.He previously played for Bristol, making nine appearances between 2019 and 2024 having come through their academy system and has spent the past year in Australia playing for Sydney University…

Continue ReadingHarry Ascherl: Exeter sign centre following a trial with the club

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…

Continue ReadingPlymouth triple-amputee wins armed forces inspiration award

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…

Continue ReadingSouth West Water given red score over pollution

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…

Continue Reading70 horses and foals rescued in 15-month operation in Devon

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…

Continue ReadingDevon and Somerset campaign urges young drivers not to drive at night

‘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…

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

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…

Continue ReadingDevon family’s ‘turmoil’ over Ryanair name change policy

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…

Continue ReadingAgatha Christie meets Mr Men in new children’s books