county news

Work to repair dangerous Somerset embankment completed

Work to repair dangerous Somerset embankment completed

More than 230 steel bars have been used to repair and stabilise a collapsed embankment along a busy route.The 130-metre embankment along Upper Stanton in Stanton Drew, Somerset, had partially given way, putting the road at risk.Bath & North East Somerset Council (BANES) said the work, which cost more than £430.000, has now secured the road for the long-term.Councillor Lucy Hodge, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport Delivery, thanked residents for their patience and said the council had "significantly…

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Former Exeter policeman named honorary alderman

A former lord mayor of Exeter who served in the police for 30 years has been appointed an honorary alderman.Percy Prowse, 72, is only the 16th person to be awarded the recognition since 1981.Mr Prowse, a familiar figure in Exeter's streets as a cape-wearing police officer, said he was "truly honoured".He had served more than 30 years with Devon and Cornwall Police and was often seen cycling through Exeter in his blue serge cape, said the Local Democracy…

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Sacred and Profane – Exeter Observer

Sacred and Profane – Exeter Observer

St Nicholas Priory is hosting an evening of medieval music following an afternoon workshop with musicians Steve Tyler, Marco Cannavò and Katy Marchant on Saturday 15 November.The evening concert includes European sacred and secular songs spanning the 12th to 15th centuries played on historical musical instruments including hurdy-gurdy, citole, organistrum, portative organ, bladder pipe and gothic harp.The concert will follow an afternoon workshop led by the trio, suitable for all ages, offering an opportunity to see different medieval…

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Buses to replace Bournemouth-Dorchester trains for line upgrade

Buses to replace Bournemouth-Dorchester trains for line upgrade

Rail travellers are being advised to plan ahead as buses are due to replace trains so that work to stabilise an embankment and protect a line from flooding can be carried out.Network Rail said the "vital" work between Poole and Dorchester in Dorset would see engineers strengthen a railway embankment in Hamworthy and upgrade the drainage at the Poole sidings.Mark Goodall, Wessex route director, said: "We're sorry for the disruption to passengers while we carry out this work…

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Quest for more Devon film locations worthy of Harry Potter

Quest for more Devon film locations worthy of Harry Potter

Jonathan MorrisSouth WestAidan Monaghan/HBODominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter in the TV series which has been filmed in the South WestAn organisation supporting film productions in Devon is on a mission to map out the county's most film-worthy locations, building a comprehensive database to attract more productions to the region. From windswept moors to chocolate-box villages, the film office is working to ensure Devon's landscapes are front and centre in the UK's screen industry.Recent high-profile productions such as a…

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Tadnoll nature reserve wetlands are to be restored to help wildlife

Tadnoll nature reserve wetlands are to be restored to help wildlife

Work has begun to rewet areas of peat habitat on a nature reserve to improve water quality and support a wider diversity of wildlife.Dorset Wildlife Trust is carrying out the work at Tadnoll and Winfrith Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which had historically been drained for agriculture.The project builds on work at Wild Woodbury in Bere Regis and the restoration of the River Sherford headwaters.The Wild Woodbury project has already helped support populations of lapwings, snipe, frogs,…

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New Sunday parking charges in Somerset towns ‘concerning’

New Sunday parking charges in Somerset towns ‘concerning’

BBCTim Mander says he is disappointed at the new chargesSunday parking charges should be "equitable" despite fears by some politicians that introducing them could harm independent businesses.Somerset Council is consulting on introducing the Sunday charges in towns including Taunton, Bridgwater and Yeovil, bringing them in-line with areas which already charge a fee.However, businesses say the introduction of new parking charges in the towns could impact footfall and staffing.Orchard shopping centre manager Rob Moore believes the new charges will…

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Night bus praised for improving Newquay safety

Night bus praised for improving Newquay safety

First BusDevon and Cornwall Police said the Newquay night-bus had been used by more than 470 people this summerA night-bus service has been praised for helping contribute to a reduction in reports of antisocial behaviour (ASB) and sexual offences to the police. Devon and Cornwall Police said the Newquay night-bus had been used by more than 740 people to get home safely on Saturday nights.The service ran from 24 May to 6 September this year and was introduced…

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Pumpkin patches proving popular due to social media say venues

Pumpkin patches proving popular due to social media say venues

Clara BullockWest of EnglandAvon Valley Country ParkVenues say people go to pumpkin patches to get their pictures takenVenues in the West have said pick-your-own pumpkin patches are becoming more popular due to social media.Avon Valley Country Park in Keynsham near Bristol said their Halloween pumpkin event was seeing around 120,000 visitors each year, with many going to take photographs.Fairfield Pumpkins near Yeovil, Somerset started pick-your-own pumpkin patches five years ago and said the number of visitors had risen…

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‘Exciting milestone’ at new medical testing centre in Cornwall

‘Exciting milestone’ at new medical testing centre in Cornwall

An "exciting milestone" has been reached in the development of a new medical testing centre set to open this year. All 13 modular units which will make up the building of the community diagnostic centre at the Camborne Redruth Community Hospital have been delivered and connected. NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly said internal work was now underway to complete the fit-out ahead of the facility opening to patients.Susan Bracefield, chief nursing officer of NHS Cornwall, said: "We…

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‘Smuggling people and drugs on yachts a real threat’

‘Smuggling people and drugs on yachts a real threat’

Alex BishSouth East investigations team'Smuggling using yachts is a real threat'"Within a few minutes it had grounded and a number of people were jumping into the shallow water and making their way to the riverbank," said harbour master James Bateman, describing the moment a yacht carrying migrants ran aground in Rye, East Sussex."The yacht itself wasn't suspicious, but it was clearly arriving here at the wrong state of tide, which immediately raised concerns."This week the National Crime Agency…

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