‘The best gift’ says charity founder in Bournemouth awarded MBE

Post published:December 30, 2025
Post category:BBC Dorset
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The founder of a charity supporting disabled people into work has been recognised in the New Year Honours list.Samantha Everard, known as Sammy, has been made an Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for the work she does with her Bournemouth-based charity Support and Mentoring Enabling Entrepreneurship (SAMEE).SAMEE, founded in 2015, helps disabled people develop employability skills and explore self-employment.Reflecting on the honour she said this was "the best gift" to share with her "incredible…

MP, Paralympian and campaigners to get New Year Honours

Post published:December 30, 2025
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Rachel RussellSouth of EnglandGETTY Images/BBCFrankie Allen (L) and Peter Boyd-Smith (R) are both being recognised in the New Year honoursAn MP is among those from the south of England to be recognised in the New Year Honours list, alongside an array of campaigners and a Paralympian.Anneliese Dodds, who has represented Oxford East since 2017 and was Sir Keir Starmer's former development minister until she resigned in February, has been made a dame.Dodds, 47, said she was "delighted" to…

South West Water helping veterans beat winter money worries

Post published:December 30, 2025
Post category:BBC Cornwall
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South West Water (SWW) has joined forces with a charity to help military veterans tackle money worries this winter.The company will attend armed forces hubs across Cornwall, run by the Veterans Regroup project, for free monthly sessions offering confidential advice on debt, health and finding work, to support veterans, serving personnel and their families.SWW has been part of the project since 2023, offering help with bills, water meters and special tariffs for those who need extra water for…

The 12 most important shipwrecks of the South West

Post published:December 30, 2025
Post category:Devon News
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Rebecca RicksBBC South West InvestigationsPA MediaThe MSC Napoli grounded about a mile off Sidmouth, Devon, in 2007For mariners the waters of the South West have long been a challenging, and historically deadly, coastline. In the days before GPS it was the home of tragedies, disasters and misfortunes with thousands of wrecks now laying undiscovered, plundered or broken at the bottom of the sea. With the knowledge of experts, we examine some of the most notable shipwrecks to come…

Cornwall community heroes honoured by King Charles III

Post published:December 29, 2025
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Brenda WrightBrenda Wright said it was "absolutely amazing and surreal" to get the awardPeople in Cornwall have been honoured by His Majesty the King in the 2025 New Year Honours list.They include Brenda Wright, from Wadebridge, who was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) by King Charles III in recognition of her community gardening work in the village of St Issey.Ms Wright, 83, co-founded St Issey in Bloom in 2010 to improve the appearance of the village, as…

Devon’s local heroes recognised by King Charles

Post published:December 29, 2025
Post category:Devon News
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Royal NavyAngie Cheal, pictured encouraging a fellow sailor during a recovery triathlon, described the honour as "incredible"A number of people in Devon have been honoured by His Majesty the King in the 2025 New Year Honours List.Among those recognised is Angie Cheal, a Royal Navy Warrant Officer, who has been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her dedication to helping sailors and Royal Marines recover from serious illness and injury.The Plymouth-based 51-year-old…

Somerset New Year Honours: Cheese producer recognised

Post published:December 29, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
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Alexandra BassinghamWest of EnglandBBCRichard Clothier said he was "surprised, honoured and humbled" to be appointed MBEA carbon neutral British cheddar producer and a leader in women's sport are among those named on the New Year Honours list. Richard Clothier, managing director of Wyke Farms, in Somerset, is an innovator in sustainable agriculture and food production, and said he was "surprised, honoured and humbled" to be appointed MBE. Sarah Massey, who was managing director of the Women's Rugby World…

Eden Project nature recovery scheme gets £2m funding boost

Post published:December 29, 2025
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Eden ProjectThe Eden Project's Sam Alford, Maz Lynes and Emma Carter are participating in the programmeA programme designed to inspire people to connect to nature has been awarded more than £2m of funding from the National Lottery.The Eden Project scheme - called Nature: Connection and Recovery - aimed to make nature central to boosting health and wellbeing while giving communities tools to take action on climate change, programme leaders said.They said Dundee, Morecambe, Liverpool, Belfast, Newport and Cornwall…

Plans for Bodmin care facility near landmark sparks concerns

Post published:December 29, 2025
Post category:BBC Cornwall
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Lee Trewhela,Local Democracy Reporting ServiceandDan Wareing,South WestMike SearleThe site is close to the Bodmin Beacon nature reserve and Gilbert MemorialA new care facility could be built next to a Cornwall landmark despite concerns raised by people living nearby.Cornwall Council has applied for planning permission from itself to create 71 apartments for the elderly on land near Bodmin Beacon.The authority said the project, proposed for land south of Whitestone Road, Bodmin, were much-needed to tackle the increasing demand for…

Plans for Avon fire service to move its headquarters to Avonmouth

Post published:December 29, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
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A fire and rescue service is planning to leave its current headquarters and move to a new base.Avon Fire and Rescue Service (AFRS) has used the joint HQ site in Portishead with Avon and Somerset Police since 2017.However it planned to move to its Severn Park Training Centre on Smoke Lane, Avonmouth permanently after the deal on sharing the site with Devon and Somerset and Gloucestershire fire services runs out in March 2028.An AFRS spokesperson said it was…

Decline in adoption rates at Devon animal rescue group

Post published:December 29, 2025
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An animal rescue centre said less people have been adopting its dogs due to animals' behavioural issues.Gables Cats and Dogs Home in Plymouth said some dogs in its care were "difficult" and had certain requirements, making it harder to find their forever homes.General manager Claire Sparkes said a lot of the rescue dogs were bought in during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown and had not been socialised or trained. She added that some dogs also suffered from separation anxiety,…

Plans to widen Crewkerne level crossing for pedestrian link

Post published:December 29, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
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A level crossing could soon be widened to provide a new pedestrian link after 145 homes were approved nearby.Network Rail plans to reroute a public right of way over Cathole Bridge Road level crossing near Crewkerne, Somerset.The change would include removing an unsignalised pedestrian route between the level crossing and Crewkerne tunnel, which underwent emergency repairs following a landslip in 2023.It comes after the Planning Inspectorate granted an appeal by Tilia Homes to construct 145 homes at the…