Mural celebrating Newquay Women’s Institute leader unveiled

Post published:December 28, 2025
Post category:BBC Cornwall
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Newquay Business Improvement DistrictThe new mural is on the wall of the Newquay WI Hall on Manor RoadA new mural celebrating Newquay's Women's Institute (WI) has been unveiled.Irish muralist Shauna Anseo has painted the Newquay WI branch's founder, Lady Molesworth-St Aubyn, and a reimagined version of the institute's banner on the Newquay WI Hall on Manor Road.It is the second of three street artworks funded by Cornwall Council as part of Newquay Business Improvement District's (BID) growing Love…

Royal Cornwall Hospital’s Mermaid Centre set for £600k renovation

Post published:December 28, 2025
Post category:BBC Cornwall
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Hospital bosses have said a £600,000 refurbishment will make a "huge difference to patients".Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) said the project at its Mermaid Centre, which provides breast care services, would include a redesign of the waiting area, changes to its courtyard garden and create easier access.The renovation is aimed at "creating a more welcoming, calming environment for everyone who visits the centre", RCHT said.The trust said work, which is being funded by the Duchy Health Charity…

Weather presenter Alexis Green looks back on 2025

Post published:December 28, 2025
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AnneJanuary was the second coldest January for the UK since 2010South Today weather presenter Alexis Green looks back on the weather events of 2025, in which several records were broken.JanuaryJanuary was the second coldest January for the UK since 2010. The month was drier than average, colder than average, but also the fifth sunniest on record.FebruaryFebruary was a quiet month with relatively little in the way of impactful weather.Although temperatures for the UK in the first two weeks…

Therapy goats in Devon “bring a bit of something different”

Post published:December 28, 2025
Post category:Devon News
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BBCRon, the pygmy goat, visits care homes, schools and youth clubs with his playmates Bonbon and PercyPygmy goats are among the therapy animals being taken to care homes, schools and youth clubs in Devon, to foster well-being and combat isolation.Tim Sheppard set up the not-for-profit business Tavistock Therapy Goats in 2024, to bring a sense of the outdoors to people who can struggle to access to the countryside.Mr Sheppard has other animals at his smallholding, and sometimes brings…

‘Phenomenal year’ for The Box museum and art gallery in Plymouth

Post published:December 28, 2025
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A Devon museum and art gallery said 2025 had been a "phenomenal year" as it celebrated reaching 1.1 million visitors since opening five years ago.The Box, owned by Plymouth City Council, opened its doors during the Covid pandemic and has hosted more than 60 exhibitions.Cabinet member for culture, councillor Jemima Laing said she had never envisaged what a success it would be and how it had become the "heart of the city's cultural life", adding that she looked…

Weston woman with double mastectomy runs topless for charity

Post published:December 28, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
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Bea Swallow,West of EnglandandJohn Darvell,BBC Radio Bristol Hana LaurieSam Smith underwent a double mastectomy without reconstruction to reduce the risk of developing breast cancerA woman who had a double mastectomy is taking on three endurance challenges topless in a bid to promote body positivity and health awareness.Sam Smith, from Weston-super-Mare in Somerset, was 19 when she had treatment for blood cancer which left her at high risk for developing breast cancer later in life.The now 31-year-old said looking…

Garden community build near Dorchester ‘could start in 2028’

Post published:December 27, 2025
Post category:BBC Dorset
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The first phase of a major housing project near a Dorset town could start in 2028 and be finished five years later, developers said.Plans for the first 500 of 3,500 homes proposed for the North Dorchester Garden Development were outlined in a report sent to Dorset Council.Grainger plc and Wyatt Homes want to build the development's first stage and have asked the council to outline what an environment impact assessment will need to cover before a full planning…

‘Important moment’ as 50 electric buses join South West fleet

Post published:December 27, 2025
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Dozens of new electric buses are now in service as part of a multi-million-pound project, a transport firm said.Plymouth Citybus and Go Cornwall Bus said 50 zero-emission double-deckers were operating across routes in Plymouth and the Rame peninsula as part of a project to replace almost half of its fleet with "cleaner, quieter and more accessible vehicles".The vehicles were added to the fleet through a £31.87m project jointly funded by bus operators, the Department for Transport, Plymouth City…

Year in Review 2025: Devon and Cornwall events

Post published:December 27, 2025
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Getty ImagesFlaming tar barrels were carried through streets of Ottery St Mary for Bonfire NightFlaming tar barrels, Newquay's Boardmasters festival and fireworks championships.We have highlighted six events that took place in Devon and Cornwall in 2025.Thousands flock to town for flaming tar barrelsIn a centuries-old tradition tar barrels are lit and carried on people's backs through the streets of Ottery St MaryYou can only take part as an adult if you have taken part as a child and…

Traders in South Hams having to pay for staff parking fees

Post published:December 27, 2025
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Bradley GerrardLocal Democracy Reporting Service & BBC News, DevonMadison OmanMadison Oman said nearly all her co-workers drive to work from outside the South HamsSmall business owners in South Devon have said higher parking charges are making it harder to recruit and retain staff, with some having to pay for their staff to be able to park.South Hams District Council had frozen parking charges for four years but decided to increase them in April.Some business owners in Kingsbridge, Salcombe…

Berrow Adventure Farm temporarily reopens after fire

Post published:December 27, 2025
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A family farm attraction has temporarily reopened after losing some of its animals in a fire.A building was destroyed and several animals were killed after a fire broke out at the family-owned Animal Farm Adventure Park in Berrow, near Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset in November. Describing the last few weeks as "the most difficult and devastating time", the park said it will now temporarily reopen until 6 January."Thank you for the wonderful support we have received the last few weeks,"…

Inquiry at Dorset Council over Bridport retirement complex

Post published:December 27, 2025
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A planning inquiry will be held in January to decide if a retirement complex should be built after the proposal was rejected by a council.Churchill Living's development would include 48 apartments, 25 cottages, communal facilities and car parking in South Street in Bridport.Dorset Council refused to give permission in March after it said the plan failed to provide "an inclusive, safe and accessible pedestrian environment for all".The inquiry, presided over by a planning inspector, will be held in…