Pair going from Devon to Africa in ‘Sheila the three-wheeler’

Post published:October 22, 2025
Post last modified:October 22, 2025

BBCThe journey will raise money for School in a Bag charityTwo men are hoping to break a Guinness World Record by being the first to travel from Devon to Cape Town in a three-wheeled car.Oliver Jenks, 34, from Newton Abbot, and Seth Scott, 31, from Canada, said they would be setting off on the 10,000 mile (16,093km) journey to South Africa in their Reliant Robin over the next few days to raise money for Yeovil-based charity, School in a Bag.The pair said modifications had been made to "Sheila the three-wheeler"' but…

Spider mating season may mean increase in sightings

Post published:October 22, 2025
Post last modified:October 22, 2025

Autumn is spider season, with arachnids becoming adults and males starting looking for a mate. So spiders seen in homes could look bigger and people may spot more of them as males are more confident when trying to find a partner.Buglife Cornwall conservation officer Scott Martin said: "Usually the males have big palps [appendages near the mouth] to grab hold of a female and that's what looks quite scary. But, when you see a house spider, they're just using them to grab hold of the female to mate." Although some people…

Plymouth homeless man given hope after charity feet care

Post published:October 22, 2025
Post last modified:October 22, 2025

BBCSteve began having his feet treated fortnightly at Shekinah's free podiatry clinicA man who had been living in his car for four months has spoken about the life-changing support he received from a charity's foot clinic.Steve, who found himself homeless in July this year, was not only battling physical pain but also struggling mentally."When I first came to Forgotten Feet, I was homeless," Steve, from Plymouth, recalled. "My feet were in pain, I was struggling to walk, it felt like I was kicking my toes against a brick wall."Forgotten Feet, founded…

Israel, Hamas return more bodies of captives under Gaza ceasefire deal | Israel-Palestine conflict News

Post published:October 22, 2025
Post last modified:October 22, 2025

Israel and Hamas have exchanged the remains of more captives, but the Palestinian group says Israel is failing to uphold the terms of the Gaza ceasefire agreement by refusing to reopen the crucial Rafah border crossing with Egypt.The bodies of two more Israeli captives, one soldier and one civilian, were returned to Israel late on Tuesday, and identified early on Wednesday as those of Aryeh Zalmanovich, 85, and army Master Sergeant Tamir Adar, 38.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listThe International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) had earlier received…

Cold cells, meagre meals: Palestinian American boy suffers in Israeli jail | Israel-Iran conflict News

Post published:October 21, 2025
Post last modified:October 21, 2025

Defense for Children International – Palestine (DCIP) has obtained testimony from Palestinian American teenager Mohammed Ibrahim, whose case has become a symbol for the mistreatment of minors in Israeli jails.In an interview with a DCIP lawyer, published on Tuesday, 16-year-old Mohammed described the harsh conditions he has faced since his detention began in February, including thin mattresses, cold cells and meagre meals.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list“The meals we receive are extremely insufficient,” he is quoted as saying.“For breakfast, we are served just three tiny pieces of bread, along…

Why are so many people opting out of parenthood? | Women

Post published:October 21, 2025
Post last modified:October 21, 2025

We dive into the BirthStrike movement and the wider phenomenon of declining populations.In this episode, we dive into the BirthStrike movement and the wider phenomenon of declining populations. Why are so many people opting out of parenthood?We also explore governments’ controversial efforts to reverse the trend, and unpack what it means for the future of labour, care, and the planet. Is a declining population a crisis or a chance to rethink the way we live?Presenter: Stefanie DekkerGuests:Therese Lee – Feminist activist and content creatorBlythe Pepino – Founder of BirthStrikeDevi Sridhar –…

Plans for ‘educatering’ site with 100 jobs in east Devon refused

Post published:October 21, 2025
Post last modified:October 21, 2025

Miles DavisDevon political reporterBBCThe site near Lympstone would be used for growing food and educating children about where food comes fromPlans to create 100 jobs in a food business that would provide local products for school meals and educate children about food production have been turned down.The Goosemoor company wanted to build what it calls an "educatering" facility near Lympstone in east Devon, which it said would generate an estimated £15m for the local economy.The business is based on "providing schools with the specific fresh ingredients to prepare meals at the…

Reform elects new group leader on Cornwall Council

Post published:October 21, 2025
Post last modified:October 21, 2025

The Reform UK group on Cornwall Council has elected its new leader after its former one unexpectedly resigned.Councillor Paul Ashton, who represents St Austell Poltair and Mount Charles, won a vote of the party's councillors.He succeeded councillor Rob Parsonage who stood down last week from the position he had held since May's local elections.Reform won 28 seats on the authority but failed to take control after it was unable to agree a coalition deal with any of the parties.Councillor Roger Tarrant was elected as deputy leader of the group, which is…

Key route between Bristol and Bath to be upgraded

Post published:October 21, 2025
Post last modified:October 21, 2025

A series of major upgrades to a key route between two cities have been unveiled.The West of England Combined Authority (Weca) revealed on Tuesday new proposals to revamp the A4 between Bristol and Bath.Under the plans, road crossings and bus stops will be upgraded, with new segregated cycle lanes and bus lanes installed. The Bristol to Bath Railway Path could also be extended.Helen Godwin, the Weca mayor, said the proposals follow feedback from 5,000 residents in 2023 and "should help cut congestion and pollution".The fresh proposals will go out to public…

Chard mental health champion recieves British Empire Medal

Post published:October 21, 2025
Post last modified:October 21, 2025

The Lord-Lieutenant of SomersetJulie Matthews was given her medal for services to mental health in SomersetA mental health practictioner who was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) said the ceremony made her feel "remarkable".Julie Matthews, 66, runs Chard Watch, a organisation helping people with mental health difficulties in the town.Julie was among a number of Somerset residents who recieved the award from the Lord-Lieutenant at The Newt estate.She said it made her feel like she had left her mark, but admitted it was "blooming hard work".Julie set up a peer support…

Tributes paid to former Plymouth MP Oliver Colvile

Post published:October 21, 2025
Post last modified:October 21, 2025

Jonathan MorrisSouth WestBBCOliver Colvile was loved on all sides of the House of Commons, said Conservative former minister Graham StuartTributes have been paid in Parliament to former Conservative MP Oliver Colvile, who has died aged 64.Mr Colvile represented Plymouth Sutton and Devonport from 2010 to 2017. He was known for his advocacy for hedgehogs and in 2015 called for the animals to become a national symbol of the UK.His death was announced in the House of Commons, with shadow health secretary Stuart Andrew leading the tributes, describing Mr Colvile as "a…

‘Multiple police failings’ in murder investigation, watchdog rules

Post published:October 21, 2025
Post last modified:October 21, 2025

Leigh BoobyerWest of EnglandBBCKelly Faiers, 61, from Weston-super-Mare was found "critically ill" before dying in MineheadA police force provided an "unacceptable" level of service to the family of a woman thought to have been killed by her sex offender partner, a watchdog has ruled.Kelly Faiers, 61, died at Richard Scatchard's home in Minehead, Somerset, on October 15 2023. Officers attended the scene and spoke to Scatchard, who had previously been convicted of sexual offences in which he administered drugs to victims.Scatchard, 70, disappeared the next day and was found dead months…