county news

‘Panic’ as kitchen firm enters administration

‘Panic’ as kitchen firm enters administration

A man setting up a kitchen showroom using products from a company that has gone into administration said the situation had been handled "terribly" because of a "lack of communication".One-hundred-and-five people have been made redundant at Waterline Limited, one of the UK's largest independent wholesale distributors of kitchens and bathrooms, based in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire. Administrator Alex Cadwallader said the directors had been "forward thinking... proactive and took all the correct steps".But kitchen fitter Dean Bridgen said he…

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Devon carbon monoxide warning as poisoning cases rise

Devon carbon monoxide warning as poisoning cases rise

BBCThe fire service said carbon monoxide alarms saved livesResidents are being urged to install carbon monoxide detectors in their homes after a rise in poisoning cases. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the number of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning cases had doubled nationwide since 2020.It said call-outs to suspected poisoning cases across the country peaked this year at 7703, up from 3,876 in 2020.Mike Porter, manager for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said an…

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Camborne balloon launches ‘new way’ to track space weather

Camborne balloon launches ‘new way’ to track space weather

Tomasz Maciulewicz/BBCThe new monitor could help understanding of the impacts of space weatherThe Met Office has launched radiation sensors strapped to a weather balloon to go more than 100,000ft (30,480m) above its site in Cornwall to improve forecasts.The monitor launched at Camborne is one of two sent up above the UK - with another going from Lerwick in Shetland.The readings will help weather experts understand radiation levels through the atmosphere and how they differ from ground level to…

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Doctor who exposed himself to teen McDonald’s worker struck off

Doctor who exposed himself to teen McDonald’s worker struck off

Getty ImagesThe incident happened at a McDonald's drive-through restaurant in BristolA doctor who exposed himself to a 16-year-old McDonald's worker at a drive-through has been struck off.Emmanuel Hakem committed the act after the girl gave him his order at a branch in Bristol in October 2022.Hakem, who was training in obstetrics and gynaecology at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust at the time, was erased from the medical register on Friday.After his arrest, Hakem was still allowed…

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Residents report unpleasant smell in Tiverton

A council is investigating a "mysterious" and "unpleasant" smell in a Devon town after a number of complaints.Mid Devon District Council has received multiple complaints from residents about a smell affecting parts of Tiverton, the cause of which is still to be determined.To help the council with its investigation, people experiencing the smell have been asked to complete diary sheets until the end of the month.The diary sheets should contain the type of smell and the impact it…

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Woman hit by car at Devon hospital suffering head injury

BBCPolice are appealing for witnesses and information following the collision at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on FridayA woman has serious head and leg injuries after being hit by a car within the grounds of a Devon hospital, police have said. Devon and Cornwall Police said it received reports at about 10:35 BST on Friday to a collision involving a black Toyota Yaris and a pedestrian at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.Officers said the woman in…

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Former church leader denies sexual assault charges, court hears

A former Methodist church leader has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault and indecent assault, a court has heard. Steven Wild, 71, of Steeple Close in St Ives, appeared at Truro Crown Court on Friday.Wild was charged with eleven offences which involved a number of women between 2004 and 2019. A trial has been set for November 2026 and he has been remanded on unconditional bail until a review hearing in September next year. Wild, who…

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Disgraced officer would have been dismissed, police panel finds

Disgraced officer would have been dismissed, police panel finds

A police officer who formed an inappropriate relationship with a woman he met on duty would have been sacked had he not resigned, a misconduct panel has ruled.In July Martyn Newitt from Liskeard admitted misconduct in public office and misusing a computer to secure unauthorised access to data and was given a 12 month suspended prison sentence at Bristol Crown Court. He was a temporary police sergeant when he visited the woman after an incident involving her ex…

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The Christchurch firm turning Wembley plastic into park benches

The Christchurch firm turning Wembley plastic into park benches

A Dorset based firm has said it has been "really fun" to be a part of a project which sees it transform waste plastic from the Wembley Stadium pitch and turn it into benches for grassroots football clubs.Ben Gibbons, is co-founder of Circular 11, based in Christchurch, which has been running its recycling business for four years.He said it takes hard to recycle mixed plastics, like those found under the pitch at Wembley, and use it to make…

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Plymouth man arrested after multiple crashes involving stolen van

A man has been arrested after a van hit a series of vehicles before crashing into a city centre roundabout.The delivery van was stolen from Union Street at about 15:20 BST on Thursday, Devon and Cornwall Police said.The force said it was then involved in three hit-and-run crashes with vehicles on Outland Road, Western Approach and Looseleigh Lane, before hitting another car and crashing into the barrier at Charles Cross Roundabout shortly before 17:00.Officers said a man in…

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Reopening of Heavitree Road in Exeter delayed by a month

Reopening of Heavitree Road in Exeter delayed by a month

Miles DavisDevon political reporterBBCThe main road out of Exeter will now be closed until 10 NovemberThe main road out of Exeter will now be closed until 10 November - a month later than when it was initially scheduled to reopen.The northbound section of Heavitree Road and the bus lane next to it will remain closed "due to the conditions of the road", Wales and West Utilities has said.The company is carrying out work on the gas network in…

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The Dorset garden centre that began a British obsession

The Dorset garden centre that began a British obsession

Ros TappendenSouth of EnglandBBCThe Stewart family has been in the nursery business for nearly three centuriesIt has been 70 years since Edward Stewart, founder of Stewarts Garden Centres, opened a shed at his nursery, selling potted plants and garden supplies.The site in Ferndown, Dorset, is believed to be the UK's first garden centre, revolutionising horticulture and making gardening accessible to the masses.He had the idea while in the USA - as well as being a plantsman, he was…

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