county news

Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels 2025: Youngest runner meets oldest

Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels 2025: Youngest runner meets oldest

Dan Wareing and Andrea Ormsby,DevonBBCJessica told Les White she was "excited and a little bit nervous" for the eventWearing "a warm woolly jumper" is key to success at one of Devon's most historic traditions, according to the oldest man taking part this year.Les White, 69, will be taking part in the Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels on Wednesday evening, with up to 20,000 spectators expected.A total of 27 flaming barrels will be carried, or rolled, through the town,…

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Bethan’s Rock museum reopens in Poole after £10m revamp

Bethan’s Rock museum reopens in Poole after £10m revamp

Sarah Spina-MatthewsSouth of EnglandBCP CouncilPoole Museum welcomes visitors back from Wednesday after its "soft launch"A town's museum that is famously home to a girls rock is set to reopen to the public following a £10m redevelopment. Poole Museum in Dorset officially reopens on Wednesday following the "soft launch" of its new galleries and exhibitions. Visitors will once again be able to see Bethan's Rock - a treasured stone donated by a five-year-old girl - alongside its other artefactsThe…

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Concerns about Highbridge killer ‘not added to health record’

Concerns about Highbridge killer ‘not added to health record’

Martin Jones,BBC West Investigations in Wells and Chris Lockyer,SomersetFamily handoutPaul Wells was killed by his neighbour in Highbridge, Somerset, in 2020Concerns raised about a man who went on to kill his neighbour were not recorded on his mental health record, an inquest has heard.Richard Matthews, who had severe mental health problems, stabbed his neighbour Paul Wells in Highbridge, Somerset on 25 June 2020.The inquest into Mr Wells' death heard that at least four attempts to raise concerns about…

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BBC Radio Devon presenters take on three-legged challenge

BBC Radio Devon presenters take on three-legged challenge

BBCMichael Chequer was joined by breast cancer survivor Louise ButcherBBC radio presenters endured wind and rain on the first day of a 1,000-mile three-legged charity challenge for Children in Need.Caroline Densley and Michael Chequer from BBC Radio Devon intend to cover 12.5 miles (20.12km) over the two-day challenge. The pair have walked each mile tied to a different person, including volunteers and staff from Children in Need-funded projects.Densley, who began the challenge at Exmouth Lifeboat Station, said the…

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Ex-solicitor accused of rapes in Plymouth court and police cells

Ex-solicitor accused of rapes in Plymouth court and police cells

BBCSome of the alleged offences took place in the cells at Plymouth Magistrates' CourtA former criminal defence solicitor has been charged with the sexual assault and rape against eight men and a woman in the cells of a police station and a magistrates' court, a court has heard.Alan Harris, 71, is on trial at Winchester Crown Court, accused of 18 charges of indecent assault, eight charges of sexual assault, three charges of rape and one of another serious…

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Body recovered after safety work at burned house in Bideford

Body recovered after safety work at burned house in Bideford

A body has been recovered following safety work at the scene of a property fire, police have said. A murder investigation had been launched into the fire at a terraced house on Homestone Street at around 20:30 GMT on 28 October, and a number of arrests were made.Devon and Cornwall Police said a man had remained unaccounted for and work involving structural engineers has been taking place at the scene.The body was recovered on Sunday once part of…

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Exmoor road to close as part of police investigation

Exmoor road to close as part of police investigation

A road will be closed on Wednesday as part of an ongoing police investigation.The A396 will be shut between Wheddon Cross and Timberscombe in West Somerset from 09.30 to 16:30 GMT.Somerset Council said the closure was requested by Avon and Somerset Police, in relation to "an ongoing investigation".Drivers have been told to plan ahead, with the bus between Dunster and Minehead being diverted. Source link

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Cornwall’s new Reform leader says party is not in crisis

Cornwall’s new Reform leader says party is not in crisis

The new leader of Reform UK in Cornwall has said the party in the county is not in crisis but going through a "blip". Cllr Paul Ashton was appointed the party's Cornwall leader on 21 October but a week later saw five members leave over concerns about national and local priorities, to form a new Cornish Independent Non-Aligned Group. Mr Ashton said the party had had a "bit of a reset, new leadership, new vision, new strategy and…

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Devon’s Turner Twins climb Himalayan mountain with 1920s kit

Devon’s Turner Twins climb Himalayan mountain with 1920s kit

The Turner TwinsHugo (left) and Ross Turner wanted to show whether vintage climbing kit could handle the testTwin brothers have conquered a Himalayan mountain, one dressed in modern clothing, the other wearing a replica of kit worn by British explorers 100 years ago.Hugo and Ross Turner, from Christow in Devon, have taken part in a number of extreme adventures and said they wanted to see how their bodies reacted in the freezing temperatures of Mera Peak, near Everest,…

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Frome traffic scheme for ‘safer school streets’ made permanent

Frome traffic scheme for ‘safer school streets’ made permanent

Frome Town CouncilThe scheme in Frome has been rolled out permanently A project which aims to keep children safe on the school run has been made permanent following an 18-month trial.Roads around a number of schools in Frome will now have traffic calming measures in place year-round, including speed reductions and timed road closures.The Frome Town Council scheme encouraged children to walk or cycle to school and involved Avanti Park School, Critchill School, Oakfield Academy and Trinity Church…

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Agreement renewal strengthens research, education and patient benefits in Cornwall

A partnership between the University of Exeter and the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) has been renewed, strengthening a relationship to foster leadership in health research, education, and innovation to benefit patients in Cornwall and beyond. The third iteration of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations is designed to advance world-class education and research, develop a skilled, research-active healthcare workforce across Cornwall and the wider South West, and enhance population health. The two organisations already…

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