county news

Two birds of prey stolen from Cornish rescue centre

Two birds of prey stolen from Cornish rescue centre

Two birds of prey have been stolen from a rescue centre, police have said.Keepers at the Cornish Birds of Prey Centre CIC said a gyr falcon and a striated caracara were taken between 17:00 GMT on Thursday and 07:00 on Friday.Kelly Grigg, the owner of the centre at Winnard's Perch, in Cornwall, said the bolt and padlock to one of its aviaries had been "hit with force".She said she thought whoever had stolen the birds would have had…

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Ex-offender paying back with South West court support charity

Ex-offender paying back with South West court support charity

CASS+Ex-chief executive Carole Edwards and volunteer Kelly Peake are celebrating the CASS+ 20th anniversaryAn ex-offender who now works with a charity offering support to people navigating the justice system, said volunteering had helped her "rebuild myself".Kelly Peake volunteers with CASS+, a charity offering free advice and support through court in Devon and Cornwall.She told BBC Radio Cornwall "I love volunteering" and it is about "just being of service to my community".The charity has this week marked its 20th…

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Street artist releases book of paintings depicting Bristol

Street artist releases book of paintings depicting Bristol

Chloe HarcombeWest of EnglandBernard BrydenPeter Brown, also known as Pete the Street, paints landscapes and street scenesAn artist who paints street scenes and landscapes around the world has released a book about his work in Bristol.Artist Peter Brown, also known as "Pete the Street", has spent 32 years capturing views of cities including Bath, London and New York.He hopes the book Bristol Paintings will help readers discover new places and revisit familiar locations. "I just hope that I've…

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Volunteers across the South honoured with King’s Award

Volunteers across the South honoured with King’s Award

Curtis LancasterSouth of EnglandPop in Place Bere RegisThe volunteers at Pop in Place in Bere Regis were among the awardeesAn inclusive football club and the team behind a community festival are among the groups to be given an award by the King.Volunteers across the South of England join 232 awardees nationwide that have been honoured with a King's Award for Voluntary Service.The highest UK accolade for local volunteer groups recognises exceptional contributions to communities.Each winner will receive a…

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A30 in Devon closed overnight after serious crash

A30 in Devon closed overnight after serious crash

PAPolice said the road would be closed for "several hours"A serious crash has closed part of the A30 in Devon.National Highways said a vehicle had flipped on to its roof, and police said the road would be closed for "several hours".Emergency services were called to the dual carriageway between the A377 near Exeter and the A382 near Whiddon Down at about 17:50 GMT, police said.Devon and Cornwall Police said there was "significant" congestion on the road, and officers…

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Trains cancelled on branch line due to flooding

Trains cancelled on branch line due to flooding

Flooding has closed part of the railway line in Cornwall, Great Western Railway (GWR) has confirmed. Train services running between Liskeard and Looe have been cancelled and disruption is expected until the end of the day, the firm said.It said Network Rail was monitoring water levels and inspections would need to be carried out before the line was reopened. GWR said it was sorry for the disruption and added it had requested replacement transport options between Liskeard and…

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Storm Claudia brings flooding and disruption to the West

Storm Claudia brings flooding and disruption to the West

Bea SwallowWest of EnglandBBCRoads are closed and rivers are bursting their banks as Storm Claudia closes inMajor flooding has closed roads across the west country as Storm Claudia brings amber weather warnings and heavy downpours.Traffic monitoring site INRIX is reporting queueing traffic and one lane closed due to flooding on the M5 southbound after J19 A369 near Portishead, Somerset.Rising river levels are also expected to cause flooding overnight for the River Avon at Twyning in Gloucestershire, and Winford…

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Wiltshire PCC says scrapping role will ‘politicise’ policing

Wiltshire PCC says scrapping role will ‘politicise’ policing

BBCWiltshire PCC Philip Wilkinson described the move as "doomed to failure"A police and crime commissioner (PCC) claims the government's decision to scrap the role is an attempt to "politicise" policing.Philip Wilkinson, who was elected PCC for Wiltshire in 2021, described the move as "thoughtless, heartless and doomed to failure".He said: "Take away all the functions [of PCCs], it's going to mean a less effective, less efficient and more politicised police force."Under the changes, when the commissioners' terms end…

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Devon charities win King’s Award for Voluntary Service

Devon charities win King’s Award for Voluntary Service

Four organisations in Devon are among the winners of the King's Award for Voluntary Service.The British Association for Immediate Care Devon (BASICS Devon), Bob the Bus, Erme Valley Riding for the Disabled and Rainbow Living were all recognised this year.The award aims to highlight voluntary groups and was created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee.Lord-Lieutenant of Devon David Fursdon said: "I am delighted that volunteers in four Devon organisations have received this prestigious award."Mr Fursdon…

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West Country schools and fundraisers mark Children in Need

West Country schools and fundraisers mark Children in Need

Chloe HarcombeWest of EnglandBBCMany children around the West Country, including these Priestley Primary School pupils in Calne, Wiltshire, had the chance to meet Pudsey earlierPeople around the West Country have been fundraising and meeting Pudsey for BBC Children in Need.Challenges and bake sales have been held across Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire in a bid to raise as much money as possible for the cause.BBC Children in Need funds vital support for children and young people struggling with…

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‘It’s crazy how much we have to spend’

‘It’s crazy how much we have to spend’

Seb NobleCornwall political reporter, CamborneBBCOllie, Lacy, and Luke said the cost of bus travel to college was becoming unaffordableTransport costs "should not be the barrier" for students learning and working in Cornwall, a college deputy principal has said.Staff and students at Cornwall College's Camborne campus said the cost and unreliability of buses in the county made it hard for them to study effectively or hold down weekend jobs.MPs on the Transport Select Committee have called for the government…

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