Lib Dems secure two seats in Somerset Council by-election

Post published:October 24, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
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The Liberal Democrats have secured two seats on Somerset Council.A by-election was called after Conservative councillor for Dunster Christine Lawrence stepped down due to ill health in September and Lib Dem councillor for Glastonbury Nick Cottle died in August.Voters went to the polls on Thursday and Cara Strom won the Dunster seat with 1,142 votes. Ewan Cameron held the seat for the Lib Dems in Glastonbury after receiving 882 votes. Ms Strom said she would do all she…

Theft at Moors Valley halts Halloween light trail opening

Post published:October 24, 2025
Post category:BBC Dorset
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A country park has been forced to cancel a Halloween event on its opening evening after essential equipment was stolen.Moors Valley Country Park in Ashley Heath, Dorset, announced it was unable to open the Halloween illuminated trail on Thursday as planned.Forestry England said the trail had been affected by a "significant theft" and apologised to those affected. It said providers would contact people who had tickets for Thursday's trail via email.The park said its team were working to…

Akeel Higgins: Exeter City loanee shows ‘undoubted talent’ in Devon derby win

Post published:October 24, 2025
Post category:Devon News
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Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell says Akeel Higgins showed his quality, after his first senior goal in the Devon derby win over Plymouth Argyle.The 20-year-old, who is on loan at Exeter from West Bromwich Albion, made just his second first-team start against the Pilgrims.He responded with an excellent finish in the second half to seal the 2-0 victory and earn the Grecians a first win over their biggest rivals in six years."He has been building, he's been a…

Warning after Cornwall fireworks displays axed over safety fears

Post published:October 24, 2025
Post category:BBC Cornwall
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A warning has been issued to those planning to set off fireworks after the cancellation of organised displays.Truro's annual bonfire and firework display has been cancelled following concerns over traffic congestion, along with another display organised by Falmouth Fire Station.Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said the event had been cancelled as it could not be delivered "to the standard of safety and organisation that our community rightly expects".It urged those planning to set off fireworks at home to…

Pharmacies in Devon ‘buckling under pressure’ amid closures

Post published:October 24, 2025
Post category:Devon News
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Jen Smith,South West health correspondent and Jonathan Morris,DevonBBCPharmacist Nali Nouri said his team handled 24,000 items a monthPharmacists have said they are struggling to cope with the pressure following a series of closures amid a lack of funding for the service. Figures from the National Pharmacy Association show Plymouth has the seventh highest pharmacy closure rate in the country.Nali Nouri, owner of Speedwell Pharmacy in Estover, said his team handled 24,000 items a month, making it one of…

Tom Cleverley: Plymouth Argyle boss to target defence after Devon derby defeat

Post published:October 24, 2025
Post category:Devon News
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Argyle's attacking threat has not been helped by injuries to high-profile summer signings Xavier Amaechi and Caleb Watts.While striker Lorent Tolaj has impressed in recent weeks, he was limited to few chances at St James Park as Exeter impressively cut the supply to the Swiss striker. Aside from the impressive 4-0 win at Burton Albion, Argyle have failed to score in two of their last five League One games, and scored once in the two others - with…

Wincanton Racecourse ‘struggling’ due to weather conditions

Post published:October 24, 2025
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Jack Killah,Wincanton and Chris Lockyer,SomersetBBCTom Ryall from Wincanton Racecourse says not enough rain has fallen this yearA race course in Somerset believes the weather conditions over the last year have contributed to it struggling to fulfil its full race calendar.Wincanton Racecourse has cancelled its meet on Sunday, because not enough rain has fallen to soften the ground. The venue said the lack of rainfall this year has meant its reservoir is not refilling enough, leading to a number…

Wood chopper to compete at Timbersports World Championships

Post published:October 24, 2025
Post category:BBC Dorset
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A wood chopper from Dorset is preparing to take on the world in what is often called "the original extreme sport".Tom Redmond, from Bere Regis, will represent team GB at the Timbersports World Championships in Milan in front of 3,000 fans in the Allianz Cloud Arena.With more than 150 years of tradition, the roots of the sport originated in Australia and New Zealand.This years contest will see 120 axemen from 20 nations competing in four disciplines - in…

Bibby Stockholm asylum seeker on life after leaving barge

Post published:October 24, 2025
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Sophie Cridlandin PortsmouthBBCCedrick left the Bibby Stockholm asylum barge in October 2024 and is now living in PortsmouthAn asylum seeker who was moved off the controversial Bibby Stockholm barge a year ago has said he "will get killed" if he is forced to return to Cameroon.The last residents left the vessel, which was berthed at Portland Port in Dorset, in November. It housed about 500 men awaiting the outcome of their asylum applications.Cedrick, who arrived in the UK…

Cornish Seal Sanctuary alarm over dog attacks on pups

Post published:October 24, 2025
Post category:BBC Cornwall
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Seal pups are turning up injured on Cornwall's beaches and the Cornish Seal Sanctuary has said that dogs off leads could be to blame.The sanctuary's animal care team said it had taken in several pups with suspected dog bite wounds.The sanctuary is urging holidaymakers this October half term to give wildlife space and keep pets under control."We're not pointing fingers," said Grace Jones, the sanctuary's conservation officer. "We know people love walking their dogs on the coast, especially…

How prolific cowboy builder kept up cons despite criminal past

Post published:October 24, 2025
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Martin JonesWest investigationsSubmittedMark Killick has been convicted of fraud four times since 2008Mark Killick is one of Britain's most prolific cowboy builders and has criminal convictions dating back to 1995.His latest crimes, which led to his fourth fraud conviction, involved 37 victims who police estimate lost more than £1.25m between them.The 56-year-old was able to leave prison, legally change his name twice and continue to work in the building trade in the West of England - where he…

Storm Benjamin brings rainbows to Devon and Cornwall

Post published:October 23, 2025
Post category:Devon News
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Rainbows have been wowing people on a day when heavy rain battered the South West. In Devon and Cornwall two weather warnings were cancelled on Thursday after Storm Benjamin was due to hit.Rainfall of 50mm (1.97in) or more had been expected in some areas of Devon and Cornwall.A rainbow is formed by the dispersion of light when it passes through a raindrop and it slows and changes direction, due to water being denser than air. Source link