‘Deeply inclusive’: Skateboarding comes of age

Post published:September 21, 2025

Jonathan MorrisSouth WestUK Surf & Skate Expo/Oli ChapmanTony Alva at Newquay was a historic moment for fansWhen 68-year-old skateboarding legend Tony Alva carved through the concrete bowl at the Surf Skate Expo in Cornwall, a point was made for all people of a similar age.Skateboarding is not just for the young. It is for anyone with balance, an acceptance of the humiliation when you are learning, and a love for riding.Jon Bishop, 51, from Newquay, came from board sports like surfing and found skateboarding during lockdown. "I built a ramp for my son during Covid," he recalls. "Then I thought, why not give it a go myself?"What surprised Mr Bishop most was not just the thrill of skating, it was the community."You can have a six-year-old and a 60-year-old in the same bowl, and it's all hunky-dory," he said. "The culture is so inclusive."UK Surf & Skate Expo/Oli ChapmanTony Alva pushing the limitsAlva featured in Dogtown and Z-Boys, a documentary about the original California skaters who pioneered vertical skating in empty swimming pools during the 1970s.Newquay's Concrete Waves skatepark, with its tiled edges and concrete coping, is "mellow facsimile", said Mr Bishop."But it's got the same spirit. Seeing Tony skate it…

Devon boy, 7, wins young animal handler of the year

Post published:September 21, 2025

A seven-year-old boy from Devon has won a major award at the 2025 Young British Farming Awards. Jack, from near Kingsbridge, won the junior Young Handler of the Year award after having success in the last two years showing sheep and cattle.The awards ceremony took place at Cannon Hall Farm last week, with Jack being praised for his "enthusiasm, confidence and ability" to get the best out of his animals.Jack's recent success includes Champion Junior Handler at the Royal Cornwall Show, and Reserve Champion overall junior handler.A young handler is a young person who goes in with a sheep and tells the judge what they know about the breed of sheep they have. It is also about who can show off the sheep the best. Jack's mum, Sadie, said: "I'm very, very proud and surprised."He was the youngest on the day and to come home as the winner was an amazing moment." Source link

Paul Wotton: Torquay United boss impressed by Ebbsfleet victory

Post published:September 20, 2025

Torquay United manager Paul Wotton says he 'loved' his side's 1-0 win over Ebbsfleet United. Jordan Young flicked in Callum Dolan's cross from inside the penalty area to score the decisive goal midway through the first half at a windy Plainmoor.The win saw Torquay keep a clean sheet for the first time this season and move up to third place in National League South - six points off leaders Hornchurch. "It was hard earned, absolutely. Credit to Ebbsfleet, they're a top team, and they'll be right up there at the end of the season," Wotton told BBC Radio Devon."I thought the first half we were really good, into a hell of a wind - good value for our lead at half-time. I loved us first half."You can see what we're doing, you can see the forward play, defensively, we were sound as well."So all in all it's a lovely three points today."The clean sheet particularly pleased Wotton up against a side who he feels, despite only winning three of their nine games this season, will end up in the play-off places. "That was more like us from last season defensively," he said."I don't think we can overemphasise how good of a…

Bath 14-23 Exeter Chiefs: Visitors gain Prem Cup revenge

Post published:September 20, 2025

Bath: Woods; Emens, Hennessey, Butt, Offiah; Linegar, Carr-Smith; Kirk, Spandler, Verden; Cuckson, Richards (C), Staddon, Cowan, Green.Replacements: Pearce, Summerfield, A.Griffin, Jeanes, Ridgway, le Roux, C.Griffin, Timmins.Yellow Card: Summerfield, Kirk.Exeter Chiefs: Hodge; Brown-Bampoe, Hammersley, Slade, John; Skinner, Varney; Blose, Yeandle (C), Tchumbadze; Tuima, Pearson, Roots, Tshiunza, Vintcent.Replacements: Dweba, Goodrick-Clarke, Iosefa-Scott, Zambonin, James, Chapman, Coen, Lilley.Yellow Card: Tuima.Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys Source link

Devon young heroes celebrated in BBC Make a Difference awards

Post published:September 20, 2025

BBCDan said presenting on radio gave him more confidence off airFour young people from Devon are being recognised for their contributions to the community.The BBC Make A Difference Young Hero Award celebrates under 16s making a positive impact in local communities and will be announced at a ceremony on Thursday.This year's finalists include 10-year-old Hugo who sells lemonade for the Make a Wish Foundation - in memory of his grandmother, and 15-year-old Henry, who supports children and families living with cancer, following his own recovery.Dan, a radio presenter at Ocean Youth Radio, and Georgina, 11, who lives with a rare genetic condition and educates her family and school about it, have also been recognised. Dan said of radio: "It's changed me as a person."'The lemonade boy'Hugo raises money for the Make a Wish Foundation in memory of his grandmotherThis year's finalists were selected from hundreds of public submissions.Hugo, from South Molton, who known locally as "the lemonade boy", was seven when his grandmother died."He was very close to her," said his mother, Claire."So we lost him for a bit."To help him deal with his own grief, Hugo decided to support the Make A Wish Foundation so "other children would not have…

M5 lane in Devon remains closed after resurfacing overruns

Post published:September 20, 2025

One lane is closed on the M5 southbound after overnight works overran, highways bosses say.The lane is closed between junctions 28 and 29 because resurfacing works had "not been completed", said National Highways on X, adding that it would remain closed throughout Saturday.The motorway was completely closed on Thursday night and much of Friday after two multi-vehicle collisions.In one crash, Devon and Cornwall Police said a driver in his 30s from Plymouth died after four vehicles collided at about 23:10 BST on Thursday near junction 28 and their next of kin had been informed.A man in his 40s has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and remains in police custody.Four other people were taken to hospital for treatment after that incident, none of whom were believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries, police said.The fatal collision followed another three-vehicle crash at 21:50 on the M5 near Willand. Source link

Blue lobsters in Devon and Cornwall waters rising, say scientists

Post published:September 20, 2025

Jonathan MorrisSouth West andGeorge ThorpeSouth WestBBCBlue lobsters have a genetic mutation which produces the vivid colourBright blue lobsters have long been considered one of nature's wonders, widely touted as a one-in-two-million find. But scientists and hatchery experts are now questioning whether these beautiful electric blue crustaceans are truly as rare as once was believed.Why do lobsters turn blue?The colour of a lobster's shell is the result of a complex interplay between two compounds, according to Prof Jamie Stevens of the University of Exeter.They include: Astaxanthin, a red pigment that lobsters absorb from their dietCrustacyanin, a protein that binds with astaxanthin to produce a blue hueIn most lobsters, this combination results in a dark, muddy blue-green shell that helps them blend into the seabed.A blue lobster on the left compared with its more common relative on the rightWhen the balance shifts, either due to genetics or environmental factors, the colour can become dramatically more vibrant."When we talk about blue lobsters, we're often seeing extra blue lobsters," Prof Stevens said."These are lobsters with a genetic mutation that causes an overproduction of crustacyanin, giving them a vivid, electric blue appearance."What role does environment play?Chris Weston, senior hatchery technician at the National Lobster Hatchery in…

Giant Sun artwork rises in Plymouth’s Market Hall

Post published:September 20, 2025

A monumental new artwork representing the Sun has arrived in Plymouth.Internationally renowned artist Luke Jerram has brought his latest installation, Helios, to the Market Hall in Devonport.The 23ft (7m) wide inflatable sphere is illuminated and accompanied by audio which includes a dawn chorus and sounds from solstice celebrations."We're not normally allowed to look at the Sun because it's so damaging to our eyes, this artwork lets people see the surface of the Sun, in a safe and beautiful way," said Jerram.Jerram, whose previous works include large-scale sculptures of the Earth and Moon that have toured cathedrals around the world, said Helios was inspired by a desire to complete the celestial trilogy."I was interested in making a Sun, but I wanted it to be quite different," he explained. "The National Trust got very excited about the idea, and commissioned the piece."It's since toured stately homes across the UK and has been really well received."Now, Helios is making its way to a different kind of grand setting, the architecturally striking Market Hall in Devonport. "It's a practical challenge, the sculpture is seven metres in diameter, so you need a building big enough to house it," he said. "But I also want these artworks…

Andrew Parkinson: Plymouth Argyle chief executive officer resigns

Post published:September 19, 2025

Andrew Parkinson has quit his role as Plymouth Argyle's chief executive officer after just over six years in the job.Parkinson, one of the key figures behind the ultimately ill-fated appointment of Wayne Rooney as Argyle boss last year, became CEO in May 2019.He was part of the club's rise from League Two to the Championship as the Pilgrims claimed two promotions in four seasons."After nearly seven years at Argyle, I feel now is the right time to move on," Parkinson told the club website., external"When I took on this role, my aim was to help the club progress on and off the pitch."In that time we have seen sold-out attendances, record revenues and recognition through several industry awards across a number of disciplines."Parkinson, who oversaw the redevelopment of Liverpool's Main Stand as the Reds' director of operations among his previous jobs, first joined Plymouth in 2018.His role was similar to the one he held at Anfield, primarily involved in the Mayflower Grandstand renovation, before becoming CEO several months later.Plymouth chairman Simon Hallett paid tribute to Parkinson's impact."Andrew leaves Argyle in far better shape than he found it when he arrived," Hallett said."Under his leadership, we have re-established Argyle's position in the…

Andrew Oluwabori: Yeovil Town bring Exeter City forward back on loan

Post published:September 19, 2025

Yeovil Town have signed Exeter City forward Andrew Oluwabori on loan until January 2026.The 23-year-old moved to the Grecians from FC Halifax Town in February and has made eight appearances for the club.His only goal came in the 3-1 win over Huddersfield Town in April and he has yet to play a league game this season.It is Oluwabori's second spell at Huish Park, having made 24 National League appearances for Yeovil while on loan from Peterborough United in 2022-23. Source link

More seahorses being spotted close to the shore in South West

Post published:September 19, 2025

Watch: Seahorses off the coast of Devon and CornwallA conservationist has said more sightings of seahorses have been reported in the waters around the South West recently.Neil Garrick-Maidment, the founder of Devon-based The Seahorse Trust, said two of the creatures had been seen in the inner harbour in Torquay for the first time, having previously only been recorded in the outer one.Andrea Andrews-Benson's daughter had been crabbing in Torquay's harbour on Monday when she caught a seahorse and quickly returned it to the water.She said: "What a beautiful creature, we didn't realise how rare it was to catch one."Andrea Andrews-BensonMs Andrews-Benson said they had quickly returned the seahorse to the harbour waterMr Garrick-Maidment said: "People think they're this mystical creature that comes from tropical seas and reefs and stuff like that, but they forget that under our own waters, and particularly around the South West peninsula, we have the most amazing biodiverse habitat there is in the world."We are at risk of losing it, but there is everything there - look at all the different dolphin species, we've now got humpback whales back again, we've always had orca living off our waters, we've got seahorses, we've got jellyfish, the list goes…

Getting SEN support is ‘like fighting a war’

Post published:September 19, 2025

Miles DavisDevon political reporterBBCRachel Turner says trying to get the education her daughter is legally entitled to is "a constant battle"The mother of an autistic teenager says her council's special educational needs service has "failed" her daughter.Rachel Turner from Exeter said getting the support her daughter was entitled to under a care plan agreement with Devon County Council was like "fighting a war".The council has overspent on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services by more than £50m in the first four months of this financial year.Julian Brazil, the leader of the council, apologised to families and said fixing a "broken system" was his number one priority.'In limbo'Ms Turner said trying to get an education for her daughter had "turned our life upside down"."The education system has just failed her completely," she said.She said at one point last year, funding for a tutor was slashed by 90%, only to have that decision overturned just before the beginning of this school year.Ms Turner said she and her daughter were left "in limbo", unable to get information, with council staff not returning calls or emails.She said: "You've got a complete fight on your hands to get them the education they're entitled to."Local authorities…