county news

Somerset GP surgery to build more rooms with NHS funding

Somerset GP surgery to build more rooms with NHS funding

A rural GP surgery is building more clinical spaces after receiving funding from the NHS.Axbridge and Wedmore Medical Practice in Somerset is one of 16 GP practices in the county to share £102m from the Department for Health and Social Care to refurbish or expand their premises.The surgery said there would be six new clinical rooms across its two sites, which are based on Houlgate Way in Axbridge and St Medard Road in Wedmore.According to the Local Democracy…

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Rusi Tuima: Exeter made offer to keep Newcastle-bound lock at Sandy Park

  • Post category:Devon News
Rusi Tuima: Exeter made offer to keep Newcastle-bound lock at Sandy Park

Tuima is the second Exeter player to agree a summer move to Kingston Park in the past few weeks.Full-back Josh Hodge, who like Tuima has also had call-ups to England's 'A' side in recent seasons, will return to his former club after five years in Devon.They are the latest recruits for the Newcastle side that have also agreed deals for New Zealand international Hoskins Sotutu and Argentina lock Franco Molina as Red Bull's investment in the squad begins…

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‘Tough few days’ as thousands left without gas in Salcombe

  • Post category:Devon News
‘Tough few days’ as thousands left without gas in Salcombe

It has been a "tough few days" for thousands of people after a major gas outage affected 4,600 properties, according to a town mayor.More than 100 Wales and West Utilities (WWU) engineers have been working to restore supplies in the Kingsbridge, Malborough and Salcombe area of the South Hams in Devon following damage to a mains pipe on Saturday.WWU said restoration was complete in Malborough, excluding inaccessible properties, adding it also had "made good progress in Kingsbridge".Salcombe mayor…

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Devon and Cornwall schools closed amid weather-related disruption

  • Post category:Devon News
Devon and Cornwall schools closed amid weather-related disruption

Some schools will shut due to disruption across the South West after a yellow weather warning was issued for snow and ice.The Met Office issued the weather warning for snow and ice across the region, which is in place until 11:00 GMT on Tuesday.More than 20 schools in Devon will be closed or opening later than usual due to the weather, according to Devon County Council.In Cornwall, six schools will be closed or opening later than usual. Source…

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Hospitality sector in Devon and Cornwall calls for more support

Hospitality sector in Devon and Cornwall calls for more support

Caroline RobinsonSouth WestBBCEllie Pitt said she loved the industry but it was "very challenging at the moment"People working in the hospitality sector have been looking ahead at the year to come, some have expressed concerns over business rates and others said they were "cautiously optimistic".Ellie Pitt, landlady at The William the Fourth Pub in Truro, said her business rates had increased from £56,000 to £93,000. Kate Nicholls, chair of UKHospitality, said: "There's no better place to go on…

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Former factory could be transformed into permanent Devon church

  • Post category:Devon News
Former factory could be transformed into permanent Devon church

A planning application to convert a former factory on an industrial estate in Exeter into a place of worship has been submitted. The Elim Trust Corporation said it wants give the Stanley Security unit at Signal House on the Marsh Barton industrial estate a new lease of life. It is proposed Rediscover Church, established in Exeter in 1928, will run the new church.The church moved to the former Matalan store at Haven Banks in 2024 as a "pop-up…

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Apple FM asked to move out of Taunton’s Musgrove Park Hospital

Apple FM asked to move out of Taunton’s Musgrove Park Hospital

A community radio station has been asked to move out of its hospital studios after more than 55 years due to "increasing NHS pressures".Apple FM has been based at Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital in Somerset for more than five decades, starting as hospital radio for patients in 1969.Greg Perkins, managing director of the station, told BBC Radio Somerset: "While we fully understand the pressures the NHS is facing, we are now reaching out to the people of Taunton…

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Wincanton independent cinema to open doors in February

Wincanton independent cinema to open doors in February

A businessman has admitted opening a new cinema will cost a lot of money - but he could not imagine doing anything else.Pat Scott runs four independent cinemas in Somerset, after learning how to be a projectionist in the military.His next venue in Wincanton will open in February, after someone in the town asked him to take over an Art Deco building which was once used as a church.Scott said the venture was "very expensive, but it's what…

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Vital Ferry Bridge road set to partially close for repair works

  • Post category:BBC Dorset
Vital Ferry Bridge road set to partially close for repair works

Preparation works to repair a main road in Dorset that connects people from an island to the mainland have begun.Cracks are beginning to show in the concrete on Ferry Bridge that leads Weymouth to Portland.The main repairs, which are needed to ensure the vital link is safe for future use, will run from 19 January to 12 March.A two-way traffic light system will be installed when part of the road is closed for single lane use.The route will…

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Airport drop-off charges: how does yours compare?

  • Post category:Devon News
Airport drop-off charges: how does yours compare?

Chloe HarcombeWest of EnglandBBCThe fee to drop passengers off at Bristol Airport has increased to £8.50, making it one of the most expensive in England.The charge to park for 10 minutes in the drop-off area has risen a number of times in recent years, increasing from £5 to £6 in 2024 and up to £7 in 2025. Blue badge holders can stay for up to 40 minutes for the same price.A spokesperson for the airport said the increase…

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‘Essential’ gas pipe upgrade project begins in Truro

‘Essential’ gas pipe upgrade project begins in Truro

Work to upgrade the gas network in a Cornwall town has been described as "vital" to ensuring gas flows safely and reliably to homes and businesses across the area.Wales & West Utilities said the project to upgrade pipes in St Austell Street, Truro, started on Monday and would finish by 9 February if everything went to plan.New Bridge Street, Duke Street, St Mary's Street and Mitchell Hill would experience closures. There would also be multi-way traffic lights on…

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Driver sentenced over Dorset A31 police vehicle crash

  • Post category:BBC Dorset
Driver sentenced over Dorset A31 police vehicle crash

A driver who injured a police officer in a crash has been given a suspended jail sentence, banned from driving and ordered to carry out unpaid work.Dorset Police previously said an officer was treated by paramedics and taken to hospital following the collision between an unmarked police vehicle and a white BMW on the A31 near Sturminster Marshall in September.Hassan Babaker, 35, of Felling, Gateshead, previously pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.He was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court to…

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