county news

Five children bailed after Bideford arson arrests

Five children bailed after Bideford arson arrests

Five children arrested after a house fire which left a person missing have been released on bail, police said.Four boys and a girl aged between 13 and 15, from north Devon, had been held on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life following the fire in Bideford.Police said they were treating the fire at a terraced house in Honestone Street on Tuesday evening "as a suspicious incident with murder as one of several hypotheses being considered". A…

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Award-winning documentary on off-grid Devon life receives limited run in November thanks to University

A documentary that records the lives and experiences of people in North Devon who have chosen to live without mains electricity is to have an exclusive, limited run in two cinemas in November. The film, where is heaven?, took a decade to film and has won awards and played to sold-out venues despite technically being in its pre-release phase. Now, five screenings have been confirmed for two cinemas in Devon thanks to the University of Exeter and its…

Continue ReadingAward-winning documentary on off-grid Devon life receives limited run in November thanks to University

Man, 94, dies from injuries sustained in Exeter M5 crash

Man, 94, dies from injuries sustained in Exeter M5 crash

A man has died from injuries sustained during a car crash on a motorway, police have said.Devon and Cornwall Police received reports of a crash involving a blue Ford Fiesta, a grey Land Rover Discovery and a grey Mazda CX-5 on the southbound slip road at junction 29 of the M5 in Exeter at about 11:00 GMT on Tuesday.A 94-year-old passenger of the Ford suffered serious injuries and died in hospital on Thursday, the force said. A second…

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Ex-funeral director in court over blocking burial

Ex-funeral director in court over blocking burial

A former funeral director has appeared in court accused of preventing the lawful and decent burial of a woman.Jack Weekes, 32, of Millbrook, Cornwall, appeared at Bodmin Magistrates Court on Friday.The court heard he was charged with preventing the lawful and decent burial of a woman, named in court as Elizabeth Penhaligon, between 16 October 2023 and 4 December 2023.He was further charged with fraud by false representation between 11 October and 5 December, which the court heard…

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Cornwall deli owner in clash over cookery book name

Cornwall deli owner in clash over cookery book name

Jonathan MorrisSouth WestJames RamKate Attlee has asked Bloomsbury to change the title and cover design of the cookbook SabziThe owner of Cornish deli brand Sabzi said she had been left "incredibly stressed" after publishing giant Bloomsbury released a cookery book using the same name.Kate Attlee, 37, who launched Sabzi in 2019 and trademarked the name in 2022, said Bloomsbury's decision to publish Sabzi by food writer Yasmin Khan had caused confusion among her customers. She is calling on…

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New name chosen for Devon Sanctuary’s rescued Icelandic foal

New name chosen for Devon Sanctuary’s rescued Icelandic foal

A charity which asked supporters to name one of 13 rare-breed Icelandic horses and foals in its care has announced the winning name. The Mare and Foal Sanctuary said the five-month-old colt would be called Flint, reflecting his "steely coat and bright, striking eyes". Flint arrived at the sanctuary with his dam, Mavis, just after he was born in May. His carers said his coat had darkened as he has grown but his eyes have remained a "beautiful…

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Woman dies in Saltash supermarket car park crash

Woman dies in Saltash supermarket car park crash

A woman in her 70s died after crashing into three parked vehicles in a supermarket car park. Devon and Cornwall Police said its officers, paramedics and an air ambulance were called to Waitrose in Saltash, at 11:45 GMT on Thursday. The force said said a blue Volvo V40 crashed into a Suzuki Swift, a Ford Focus, and a Mercedes Sprinter van which were parked and unattended.Officers said a 78-year-old woman from Saltash, who was driving the Volvo, was…

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‘Tiny pony’ and ‘carnival season starts’

‘Tiny pony’ and ‘carnival season starts’

Glenda Spooner Farm Rescue and Rehoming CentrePam the Shetland pony stands at 24 inches (60cm) tallHere is our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and the most interesting content from social media.Our pick of local website storiesThe two teens who were convicted of killing of Mikey Roynon had their convictions overturned, reports ITV West Country.Bristol Live reports beloved family run restaurant Don Giovanni's is closing its doors in January after delighting…

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Amy Rule: New Zealand prop reflects on journey as she prepares for Exeter debut

Amy Rule: New Zealand prop reflects on journey as she prepares for Exeter debut

That professionalism was one of the big plus points for Exeter boss Steve Salvin when he recruited Rule before this year's World Cup.The prop went on to help the Black Ferns win a bronze medal as she took her tally to 31 caps, scoring two tries for New Zealand along the way. "The way she approaches her game in terms of taking notes, asking questions, challenging, all the things you would expect from someone of a professional mindset,"…

Continue ReadingAmy Rule: New Zealand prop reflects on journey as she prepares for Exeter debut

Amy Rule: New Zealand prop reflects on journey as she prepares for first Exeter start

That professionalism was one of the big plus points for Exeter boss Steve Salvin when he recruited Rule before this year's World Cup.The prop went on to help the Black Ferns win a bronze medal as she took her tally to 31 caps, scoring two tries for New Zealand along the way. "The way she approaches her game in terms of taking notes, asking questions, challenging, all the things you would expect from someone of a professional mindset,"…

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Travel disruption warning as Frome railway bridge work continues

Travel disruption warning as Frome railway bridge work continues

Rail passengers are advised to allow more time for their journeys as work to refurbish a railway bridge continues.Portway Overbridge in Frome, Somerset, has been undergoing work since 19 September.As a result, trains will not call at Frome station on Saturday or Sunday, with trains from London Paddington heading towards Taunton and from Bristol Temple Meads to Weymouth using an alternative route.Vaheesan Maheswaran, Network Rail's lead portfolio manager, said: "This weekend of work is a crucial time in…

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Prison ghost and Lofty the lifeguard

Prison ghost and Lofty the lifeguard

Leigh Boobyer,Bristol and Luke Knight,SomersetBBCShepton Mallet Prison dates back to 1625 and has some spooky stories throughout its historyFrom a haunted prison, to the ghost of the UK's oldest lido, Somerset has its fair share of paranormal tales. To time in with Halloween, fascinating and spooky stories from across the county are being explored in a BBC Sounds series produced by BBC Radio Somerset, called The Other Side.Scar 'bleeding quite badly'Shepton Mallet Prison is among the world's oldest,…

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