county news

Two new public woods in South West to provide sustainable timber

Forestry England has unveiled plans for two new woodlands in Devon and Somerset, adding more than 247 acres (100 hectares) of forest to the counties.Okement Wood, covering 205 acres (83 hectares), will be located between Abbeyford Wood and Berrydown Plantation near Okehampton, on the northern edge of Dartmoor. Blackwell Wood, spanning 52 acres (21 hectares), will be next to Druid's Combe Wood and Langridge Wood, north of Treborough in eastern Exmoor.The woodlands will be open to the public…

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‘Daredevil decorators’ protecting Tamar Bridge from corrosion

‘Daredevil decorators’ protecting Tamar Bridge from corrosion

Watch: How the Tamar Bridge gets painted"You're kind of just swinging there, like a conker in the wind."That is how "daredevil decorator" Tom Harold described what it is like to be suspended in the air - sometimes at 200ft (60m) above water - as he and his team at Paintel Ltd battle to protect the Tamar Bridge from the elements all year round.The team use a variety of tools and specialist paints to manage corrosion and rust on…

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Barnstaple writer of message in a bottle found in Denmark sought

A couple from Germany are looking for a child in Devon who wrote a message in a bottle, which they found washed up on a beach in Denmark. Barnstaple Town Council said the bottle had been found in Fjaltring, Denmark, and had been written by someone from Barnstaple. In a note to the council, the couple said they had been walking along the beach when they found the bottle - which may have been sent by a 12-year-old…

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Echobelly’s Glenn Johansson – Interview

Echobelly’s Glenn Johansson – Interview

Echobelly are currently on tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of their second album, On, widely regarded as one of the foremost Britpop albums and, to date, Echobelly’s most successful.  Written and produced at an essentially chaotic and high-pressured time for the young band, it nevertheless successfully managed to funnel that restless, uncomfortable energy into a standout work of glossy dream pop with a darker edge, with legendary ‘90s bangers Dark Therapy, Great Things, Car Therapy and King Of…

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Devon priest to undertake medieval themed pilgrimage for charity

Devon priest to undertake medieval themed pilgrimage for charity

Georgina BarnesSouth WestStuart HuntleyStuart Huntley hopes to raise awareness of mental health and lossA Devon priest is taking on a medieval themed pilgrimage in memory of his friend.Rev Stuart Huntley, an ordained Church of England priest and a historical re-enactor, said his two day walk would be done in full medieval attire for his friend Will who took his own life.The event will raise funds for suicide bereavement charity Pete's Dragons and 10 local churches along the route,…

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Young people’s climate change artwork exhibit opens in Devon

Young people have created artwork focused on climate change for an exhibition at a museum in Devon.The 'Earth Action North Devon: Explorers Create!' exhibition has opened at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon with support from local charity Earth Action North Devon.Students enrolled on the charity's Ocean Explorer education programme created sketches, and upcycled items and photographs after visiting inspiring locations including Croyde beach, Lee Bay and Chapel Wood.Alison Mills, director of the museum, said she hoped…

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Devon and Cornwall church bells rung to mark centenary of ringing

Devon and Cornwall church bells rung to mark centenary of ringing

BBCPeople are being invited to ring the bells to mark the anniversaryA "ringing and singing" event is set to take place in five bell towers across Devon and Cornwall to mark a centenary of ringing.The Devon Association of Ringers, alongside music charity Wren Music, said locals were invited to join the activities. In May, more than 100 bell towers were rung for the 100th anniversary.People visiting St Swithun's Church in Pyworthy, St. Paternus Church in North Petherwin and…

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Exeter records sharp rise in homeless deaths, report says

Exeter records sharp rise in homeless deaths, report says

PA MediaThe Museum of Homelessness recorded 21 deaths in Exeter during 2024A nationwide campaign group has identified a sharp rise in the number of homeless people who died in Exeter last year.The Museum of Homelessness recorded 21 deaths in the city during 2024, an increase on the eight recorded in each of the previous two years.A separate report by homelessness charity St Petrock's found 26% of its clients in the city last year were women but this had…

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Flames visible for miles from Dartmoor blaze

Fire crews were called to a large blaze on open moorland, with flames visible from miles away.The fire stretched about 490ft (150m) near the old shooting ranges at Rippon Tor on Dartmoor, said Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service which was called just after 21:00 BST on Thursday.Teams from Buckfastleigh, Ashburton and Bovey Tracey fire stations responded, supported by a water bowser from Torquay and an all-terrain vehicle from Exeter. Crews used wildfire beaters to contain the…

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Cullompton motorcyclist dies after crash with car in Exeter

A motorcyclist in his 20s has died after a crash with a car in Exeter, police have confirmed.The rider, from Cullompton, collided with the car on Trusham Road, Marsh Barton, said the Devon and Cornwall force which was called at about 16:35 BST on Thursday.The motorcyclist sustained serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene where Trusham Road meets Marsh Green Road East, said officers. His next of kin have been informed.A woman in her 30s from…

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Both Paignton and Newquay Zoos for sale, owner confirms

Both Paignton and Newquay Zoos for sale, owner confirms

Wild Planet TrustGolden lion tamarins are among the endangered species at the zooJonathan MorrisSouth WestNewquay Zoo is on the market, its owner the charity Wild Planet Trust has confirmed, blaming financial difficulties.The announcement that the 13-acre (5-hectare) zoo, home to about 850 animals, is for sale follows confirmation that its sister attraction, Paignton Zoo in Devon, is also on the market.Stephen Kings, the trust's interim chief executive, said it wanted to "secure both zoos as thriving institutions".The news…

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