county news

Singing of KPop Demon Hunters songs banned at school in Poole

Singing of KPop Demon Hunters songs banned at school in Poole

Curtis LancasterSouth of EnglandGetty ImagesThe school's head teacher told parents references to demons can feel "deeply uncomfortable" to ChristiansA school has banned the singing of songs from the popular Netflix film KPop Demon Hunters.Lilliput Church of England Infant School in Poole, Dorset, sent a message to parents on Friday saying some members of the community felt the music was not in keeping with its "Christian ethos".A father, whose daughter attends the school, told the BBC the decision was…

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Truro City ‘struggling’ after Braintree Town loss – John Askey

Truro City ‘struggling’ after Braintree Town loss – John Askey

Truro City manager John Askey admitted his side are "struggling" as they slumped to a third successive National League loss without scoring.The Tinners were beaten 2-0 by relegation rivals Braintree Town in Essex on Saturday and remain bottom of the table, four points from safety.Truro have lost 13 of their 19 games in the fifth tier, having last earned a point and scored a goal in their 2-2 draw at Gateshead last month."We're struggling at the moment," Askey…

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Exeter plays key role in new toolkit to prevent falls in over 65s

A new digital toolkit designed to help reduce falls in older adults has been launched with the help of the University of Exeter. The new Falls Management Exercise Programme (FaME) Implementation Toolkit is an evidence-based, practical guide aimed at improving delivery of community exercise programmes that can reduce falls by up to 30 per cent. The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) South West Peninsula (PenARC) at the University of Exeter was…

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Gary Caldwell: Exeter City boss takes positives despite Leyton Orient loss

Gary Caldwell: Exeter City boss takes positives despite Leyton Orient loss

Gary Caldwell says there is lots to be positive about despite his Exeter City side's 2-1 loss at Leyton Orient.The Grecians led 1-0 until the final part of the game when a defensive error let in Idris El Mizouni to equalise before Tyreeq Bakinson got the winner with Exeter defender Jack Fitzwater off the field after receiving treatment.The defeat ended a five-game unbeaten run in all competitions and was just Exeter's second League One loss since the end…

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Scientists map the genetic distribution of maerl-forming algae across South West

Scientists map the genetic distribution of maerl-forming algae across South West

A habitat-building coralline algae that provides a vital nursing ground for marine species and an important blue carbon ecosystem has been genetically mapped around south-west Britain in a first-of-its-kind study. Using a technique called Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), marine biologists at the University of Exeter have identified the genetic diversity of several types of calcareous red seaweed that form maerl beds from key locations stretching from Cornwall to South Wales. It is the first time such a multi-site…

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Van driver dies in crash on A30 in Devon

Van driver dies in crash on A30 in Devon

A man has died in a single-vehicle crash on the A30, police have said.The crash happened in the westbound carriageway near Pathfinder Village in Devon at about 17:50 GMT on Friday, officers said.Devon and Cornwall Police said the driver of a Volkswagen Transporter, a man in his 60s from Northamptonshire, died at the scene.National Highways said the A30 reopened at about 02:00 on Saturday. Source link

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Film inspired by Devon woman suing water firm premieres

Film inspired by Devon woman suing water firm premieres

George Thorpe and John Danks,DevonBBCExmouth sea swimmer Jo Bateman is taking action against SWWA film about a woman campaigning against sewage pollution in the sea has premiered.Jo in the Water follows the journey of Exmouth sea swimmer Jo Bateman, who is taking legal action against South West Water (SWW) over the amount of sewage dumped into the water along the Devon coast.SWW said the film looked at historic challenges the firm had been working on resolving, including the…

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PC sacked over teen’s arrest in Bournemouth can appeal dismissal

PC sacked over teen’s arrest in Bournemouth can appeal dismissal

A police officer who was fired over his arrest of a teenager has been told he will be allowed to appeal against his sacking for gross misconduct. Dorset Police officer PC Lorne Castle was dismissed in May 2025 for holding a 15-year-old boy's throat and swearing at him in Bournemouth in January 2024.An independent panel found his actions amounted to gross misconduct and he was dismissed without notice.Dorset Police Federation said Mr Castle's case would be heard by…

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Torquay United: Under-strength Gulls knocked out of FA Trophy by Maidstone United

Torquay United: Under-strength Gulls knocked out of FA Trophy by Maidstone United

Torquay United manager Paul Wotton says the club's injury problems contributed to their 2-0 FA Trophy loss at home to Maidstone United. The Gulls saw the likes of Callum Dolan, Louis Dennis and Matt Worthington drop out from the previous week for the second-round tie and had just four substitutes.Dan Hayfield hit the post early on for the Gulls, who started well, before Dajon Golding gave the Stones a 29th-minute lead.Five minutes later, John Gilbert sealed victory after…

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Man taken to hospital with burns after Devon yacht fire

Man taken to hospital with burns after Devon yacht fire

A man has been taken to hospital with burns after a yacht caught fire, firefighters have said.The blaze broke out on a boat on a pontoon in the Wellswood area of Torquay at about 03:15 BST, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said.The man suffered burns to 5% of his body, said the fire service, while the private yacht was completely destroyed in the fire.Firefighters said the cause of the fire was believed to be accidental. Source link

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Restoration of 10ft Jesus painting found in Cornish barn begins

Restoration of 10ft Jesus painting found in Cornish barn begins

BBCThe 10ft painting of Jesus with Alison Smith at the foot of the painting touching upRestoration of a 10ft painting of Jesus on the cross discovered in a damp barn and moved to a church for safety has begun.It was discovered by Sarah Worne and her husband after they bought a plot of land near Lostwithiel, Cornwall, in October 2024.She said she had since spoken to the previous owner of the property who said she had bought it…

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BBC Weather Watchers add colour to Cornish forecasts

BBC Weather Watchers add colour to Cornish forecasts

People in Cornwall have been helping to brighten up weather forecasts in the South West with their own photographs for a decade.Since launching in November 2015, BBC Weather Watchers has given audiences the ability to send in their own pictures from where they live to show what conditions are like.Over the years, Cornish Weather Watchers have posted photos of storms sending waves crashing into the coast, sunny beaches and snow-covered fields.Describing some of the images as "standalone works…

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