county news

Businesses concerned over Ross Bridge closure

Businesses concerned over Ross Bridge closure

A business owner in Penzance has called the planned closure of a swing bridge connecting the town centre to the harbour front a "tragic mistake".Cornwall Council has confirmed Ross Bridge is to be taken away for restoration and a road closure put in place for four months, it said it is looking at options to reduce disruption.But it follows four months of roadworks for pedestrian-friendly schemes and utility infrastructure, which some people in the area have said caused…

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Plymouth leaseholders’ torment over alleged cladding fraud

Plymouth leaseholders’ torment over alleged cladding fraud

Johanna CarrSouth West InvestigationsBBCDavid and Sara Corry said the stress of the past few months had affected their health and their relationshipIt was supposed to provide an idyllic seaside retirement but David and Sara Corry's leasehold flat has become a source of stress so severe it nearly broke their 40-year marriage."It's been like a nightmare - I mean sometimes we were going to bed six o'clock in the evening just to close our minds to it," Mrs Corry…

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Maidenbrook memorial to servicemen and women unveiled

Maidenbrook memorial to servicemen and women unveiled

A war memorial to servicemen and women, past and present, has been unveiled.A headstone has been carved and put in place in Maidenbrook Country Park in Taunton to be used as a place for quiet reflection.It has been made to replicate the size and style of the thousands of Commonwealth war graves around the country. Terry Williams from the Somerset Poppy of Honour Memorial Group, who led the project, said: "It's for those who leave, never to return…

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Flamingo ‘on the run’ from wildlife sanctuary

Flamingo ‘on the run’ from wildlife sanctuary

A flamingo is "on the run" after escaping from a wildlife sanctuary in Cornwall.Staff at Paradise Park in Hayle, Cornwall, said the young flamingo, called Frankie, had taken flight from the walled garden at the park on Sunday morning, despite it having clipped feathers.They said the bird was seen at the park at 08:00 GMT, then near Porthtowan at about 10:15 GMT.In a post on social media, the park said staff were out "searching the area" and welcomed…

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Walkers protest over riverbank access

Walkers protest over riverbank access

Alex Green,South West and John Ayres,in GalmptonBBC"Mass trespasses" are taking place on riverbanks across the country this monthCampaigners have taken to the banks of the River Dart as part of a "mass trespass" over the right to roam on riverbanks in England.About 30 Right to Roam activists gathered along the river in Galmpton, Devon, calling on the government to review its manifesto pledge to "create nine new National River Walks".The campaign group said the pledge was "unworkable", adding…

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Lights and music fill streets for historic Bridgwater Carnival

Lights and music fill streets for historic Bridgwater Carnival

Thousands of people lined the streets of a Somerset town for a dazzling night of light and colour. The Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival, which has been running since 1847, saw illuminated carts and costumed performers fill the streets on Saturday evening.More than 1,000 people performed in the procession, bringing musicals and dance to life under the night sky.Bridgwater is the first of eight carnivals on the Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival circuit. Source link

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Carnival lights and Punkie night

Carnival lights and Punkie night

BBCThousands of people descended on Bridgwater for the annual carnivalThe spooky season has come to a head this week, with Halloween celebrations across the county.Somerset saw care homes give away pumpkins and villages celebrate unique traditions.And thousands descended on Bridgwater for the annual Guy Fawkes Carnival, which featured colourful displays and carnival dancers.That and more can be seen in our weekly picture roundup.Shine bright: Around 150,000 people descended on Bridgwater on Saturday night to watch the dazzling lights…

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Person in sea off Cornwall ‘saved’ by lifeboats and coastguards

Person in sea off Cornwall ‘saved’ by lifeboats and coastguards

A person has been rescued by lifeboats in Cornwall after they were seen struggling in the sea.Falmouth lifeboat, part of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), said coastguards, lifeboat volunteers and a doctor were sent to help the person, who was in the water near the mouth of the Helford River, on Saturday afternoon.The RNLI's inshore lifeboat was launched within eight minutes with a full crew of four, including the doctor, arriving 10 minutes later."The casualty was quickly…

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Cornwall pilot aims to help young people who feel isolated

Cornwall pilot aims to help young people who feel isolated

BBCCornwall Council said it was one of 12 local authorities to be selectedA council has said it aims to improved engagement with children and young people, especially in isolated and rural areas, after being chosen for a government pilot scheme.Cornwall Council said it was one of 12 local authorities to be selected to take part following a successful bid to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.It has been awarded £677,000 to deliver the Local Youth Transformation Pilot…

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Flo Crowe And The Dilemmas: Shy Girl

Flo Crowe And The Dilemmas: Shy Girl

Flo Crowe And The Dilemmas: Shy Girl Little Genius Recordings Out Now StreamCornish musical wunderkind Flo Crowe and her merry band of Dilemmas follow up their bittersweet debut, That Was That, with the equally mellifluous but subtly defiant Shy Girl, a call to arms to anyone who still feels subjugated in our brave new world of equality and emancipation. Echoing similar sentiments to those expressed by X-Ray Spex in Oh Bondage Up Yours!’, albeit with greater subtlety, Flo…

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Bins out an hour earlier in new Torridge waste rules

Bins out an hour earlier in new Torridge waste rules

A council has told residents to get their bins out an hour earlier on collection days.Torridge District Council in Devon said all household waste and recycling must now be ready by 06:00 on collection days instead of 07:00 as before.It said the change matches new crew schedules and aims to make collections more reliable and residents were urged to put their bins out the night before to avoid being missed.Councillor Chris Leather, who leads on operational services, said…

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Train services resume after car fire on Brockenhurst railway track

Train services resume after car fire on Brockenhurst railway track

Train services have resumed after a car fire on a railway track.Emergency services were called to Brockenhurst level crossing in the New Forest on Saturday.A spokesperson for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said the occupant of the car "made it out safely".Hampshire police confirmed no-one was injured in the incident, which happened shortly after 15:50 GMT.According to posts on social media, the occupant of the car was an elderly man, who was able to…

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