Fourth successful breeding season for little terns in Dorset

Post published:October 20, 2025
Post category:BBC Dorset
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Galya DimitrovaSouth of EnglandAngela ThomasThe colony on Chesil Beach is the last of its kind in south west EnglandConservationists are celebrating the fourth successful breeding season for the UK's smallest and most threatened seabird.The Chesil Little Tern Recovery Project said this summer more than 39 chicks had fledged on Chesil Beach in Dorset, up from three in 2021.The colony is the last of its kind in south west England and the RSBP said the birds had suffered a…

Friendship made in ‘lifeline’ Weston chronic pain course

Post published:October 20, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
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Ana da SilvaWest of EnglandSubmittedNicola Kilcoyne and Vanessa Davidson met through a pain management programme run by the NHSTwo women who became friends after meeting on a pain management course say the service has made them feel less alone.Nicola Kilcoyne and Vanessa Davidson, from Weston-super-Mare in Somerset, shared their experiences during a course delivered by University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Trust."Chronic pain is often invisible and isolating, but this support group has truly been a lifeline," said…

New state-funded special educational needs school opens in Devon

Post published:October 20, 2025
Post category:Devon News
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BBCPupils being taught IT (Information Technology) at Castlebridge School, TavistockA new state-funded school catering for children with Autism and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) has recently opened in Devon to try to improve access in the county to special needs education.Castlebridge in Tavistock currently has 12 pupils, but that will rise to 30.It is the first part of a much bigger school which is due open its main site at Ivybridge in 2027, catering for another 125 pupils.Devon…

Water buffalo ‘to boost biodiversity on Exmoor’

Post published:October 20, 2025
Post category:Devon News
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Briohny WilliamsSouth WestBBCSix female water buffalo have been introduced to Tattiscombe on ExmoorWater buffalo have been introduced to an area of west Exmoor in a project which aims to restore agricultural land to its original state. The National Trust said six female buffalo were on a 120-acre (49-hectare) site at Tattiscombe in north Devon with the intention of turning farmland back into wild wetlands.It said the buffalo were known as "wetland architects" because they used their hooves to…

Japanese bamboo craft experts come to Cornwall to demonstrate art

Post published:October 20, 2025
Post category:BBC Cornwall
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BBCApprentice Yoshika Yakabe is one of a growing number of women learning the traditional Japanese craft of 'takezaiku' Experts in Japanese bamboo crafting have been showing off their skills at gardens in Cornwall.The tradition of 'takezaiku' - which translates as 'bamboo craft' - has been used for centuries to create items ranging from chopsticks to entire bridges.The team from Japan has been exploring the giant bamboo groves at Trebah Gardens near Falmouth and demonstrating how they select and…

Cornwall Council invites the public to watch sessions

Post published:October 20, 2025
Post category:BBC Cornwall
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The public has been invited to watch how Cornwall Council makes its decisions.The council will hold special sessions during which people can watch them debate and make decisions live online.Council leader Leigh Frost said the individual decision days were "about putting accountability and openness at the heart of how we work".The public would also be able to send questions to the council in advance of the live-streamed debates, the first of which was scheduled for 29 October, councillors…

South Western Railway losing £45.5m revenue from fare evasion

Post published:October 20, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
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Getty ImagesSouth Western Railway operates services in London, Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire, Dorset, Devon, Somerset and WiltshireAn estimated £45.5m of annual revenue is being lost from passengers not paying for tickets, South Western Railway (SWR) has said.The data was released after a campaign group submitted a Freedom of Information request to SWR, which said the overall rate of ticketless travel was about 3.9%.The rail operator runs services in London, Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire, Dorset, Devon, Somerset and Wiltshire.An SWR spokesperson…

Rebellion over 50% parking price hike across Devon

Post published:October 20, 2025
Post category:Devon News
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Plans to increase parking charges across Devon by up to 50% are being challenged.The Liberal Democrat cabinet member for Highways at Devon County Council, Dan Thomas, signed off the decision in September to increase on-street charges.But now six Liberal Democrat councillors have banded together to challenge the decision, questioning the need for price hikes "when traders are struggling and businesses are closing".The decision will be reviewed and discussed by the corporate, infrastructure and regulatory services scrutiny committee on…

Pub used for Harry Potter filming damaged by fire

Post published:October 19, 2025
Post category:Devon News
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A pub that was closed for what is thought to be the production of the Harry Potter TV series has suffered damage after a fire.Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue received a report of a fire within a storeroom of the Cleave Inn in Lustleigh, in the early hours of Sunday morning.The pub was shut for filming on Wednesday and Thursday, a total of eight fire engines were sent to the scene, with an aerial ladder platform and…

Topless runner takes part in topless swim in Devon

Post published:October 19, 2025
Post category:Devon News
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Caroline RobinsonSouth WestBBCLouise Butcher took part in Devon Hospitals Charity Topless Swim 2025A cancer survivor and campaigner has taken part in a charity swim. Louise Butcher, who is known as the Topless Runner, was among the swimmers at the Royal Devon Hospitals Charity Topless Swim 2025 which aimed to raise funds and awareness of breast cancer. The swim at Ilfracombe raised more than £30,000 with 200 ladies "all proudly showing their breasts" including some who had mastectomy scars.Teams…

Cornish Pirates miss out on first win of season after 15-15 Doncaster draw

Post published:October 19, 2025
Post category:BBC Cornwall
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Cornish Pirates joint-head coach Gavin Cattle said he was proud of his side after their 15-15 draw with Doncaster.The Knights ensured a share of the spoils as Russell Bennett converted a 77th-minute penalty to prevent Pirates claiming their first Champ win of the season. An unconverted Iwan Price-Thomas try gave the hosts an early lead before former Pirates winger Matt McNab made it 7-5 to Doncaster soon after.Arthur Relton had a try disallowed for a forward pass before…

Parents urged to make sure children in Cornwall are vaccinated

Post published:October 19, 2025
Post category:BBC Cornwall
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Parents are being encouraged to make sure their children are up to date on their vaccinations.Kernow Health CIC, responsible for delivering school-age immunisations for the NHS, has launched a campaign for half term that explains which immunisations are available to young people.The organisation offers the nasal flu vaccine, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for boys and girls, the tetanus/diphtheria/polio vaccine, meningitis ACWY and catch-up vaccinations for measles, mumps and rubella.Michele Boyce, a clinical manager for the Cornwall and…