‘Chance of snow’ on Christmas Day and cold-health alert issued

Post published:December 24, 2025
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There could be snowfall in the south-west of England on Christmas Day, forecasters say.Even though a white Christmas has not been predicted on 25 December, there's "a very small chance" of snow falling on Dartmoor as afternoon rain showers push into parts of Devon and Cornwall, the Met Office said.Devon and Cornwall are expected to see a low of -1C (30F) and a high of 5C (41F) on Thursday with easterly winds causing big waves for swimmers and…

Weather protocol for homeless activated during Somerset cold snap

Post published:December 24, 2025
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Carys NallyWest of England PA MediaA cold health alert has been issued for the South West from Thursday to SundayA emergency weather provision has been activated over the festive period.Somerset Council's Severe Weather Emergency Provision (SWEP) will ensure rough sleepers can access emergency accommodation from Christmas Eve to 5 January to prevent harm or death due to the severe weather.The response is used by many local authorities when there is a forecast of 0C or below. A cold…

Hole closes road towards Dorset’s Hardy monument

Post published:December 24, 2025
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The country road that leads towards a popular monument has been closed after a large hole opened up in the tarmac a council has confirmed.In a Facebook post, Dorset Council announced the emergency closure of the C112 near Martinstown, near Dorchester, which connects to the Hardy Monument.It was built in 1844 in memory of Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, Flag Captain of HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, and is a popular beauty spot with panoramic views…

Taunton’s Nexus 25 fielding ‘serious interest’ from developers

Post published:December 24, 2025
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Daniel MumbyLocal Democracy Reporting ServiceBBCThe Nexus 25 business park in Taunton remains a fieldA business park which has been empty for more than five years has received "serious interest" from developers.The commercial site dubbed "Nexus 25", close to the M5 in Taunton, Somerset, is subject to a local development order, designed to streamline the planning process and allow the site to be developed quickly.Somerset Council has confirmed it is at the early stages of negotiations with a potential…

Farm higher inheritance tax rate ‘does not go far enough’

Post published:December 24, 2025
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Farmers in Cornwall have said the government's climbdown on inheritance tax has not gone far enough.On Tuesday, the government said it would raise the inheritance tax (IHT) relief threshold for farmers from £1m to £2.5m for the 20% tax it announced in April.Labour MP for Truro and Falmouth Jayne Kirkham defended the government's U-turn and said the new threshold "would exempt the vast majority of our working family farmers".Maria Warne-Elston, 23, a fifth generation farmer in Cornwall, said…

Somerset conservationists work to save rare UK plant

Post published:December 24, 2025
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Conservationists in Somerset are attempting to save one of the UK's rarest plants from the brink of extinction.The starved wood-sedge (also known as Carex depauperate) is only found in two sites nationwide, one of which is in Axbridge in Somerset.It has been struggling to survive and so The Species Recovery Trust has moved some plants into captivity to "bulk up" its numbers in the hope of establishing two new populations within the Mendip Hills National Landscape.The starved wood-sedge…

‘Chance of snow’ in South West on cold Christmas Day

Post published:December 24, 2025
Post category:BBC Cornwall
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There could be snowfall in the south-west of England on Christmas day, a forecaster has said.Even though forecasters have not predicted a white Christmas on 25 December, there's "a very small chance" of snow falling on Dartmoor as afternoon rain showers push into parts of Devon and Cornwall, the Met Office said.Devon and Cornwall are expected to see a low of -1C (30F) and a high of 5C (41F) on Thursday with easterly winds causing big waves for…

Devon couple set up free Christmas Day lunch for those in need

Post published:December 24, 2025
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Olivia ProwseOlivia Prowse, here with husband Mat, says helping others beats sitting at homeA woman who will spend Christmas making free lunches for people in need says it is "the right thing to do".Olivia Prowse, 58, from Loddiswell, Devon, has organised the event on 25 December, alongside husband Mat, to help people who would otherwise be alone or struggling on Christmas Day.Mrs Prowse said 13 people had signed up to attend the event in the village near Kingsbridge,…

South West traders say Christmas has been ‘stressful but fun’

Post published:December 24, 2025
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James TrevettCombe Garden Centre manager James Trevett (left) said the Christmas period was a "stressful fun" timeTraders in the South West say Christmas continues to be a vital time of year - even if it is "stressful".The festive period is traditionally an important time for businesses with many building displays and stocking up to target shoppers looking for gifts.Some businesses in Devon and Cornwall have decided to focus purely on the festivities by becoming Christmas tree farms or…

RNLI volunteers prepare to help those in need over Christmas

Post published:December 24, 2025
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Darren Blight"Knowing we can make a difference is what keeps us going," says Wes FosterRNLI volunteers said it was "never easy leaving loved ones" at Christmas to attend a coastal emergency, but "making a difference" made it worthwhile.Wes Foster, a member of the Plymouth RNLI team, said: "Being on call means we're always ready to step away from the celebrations at a moment's notice to help someone in need."Johnny Bray, from Lizard lifeboat crew, in Cornwall, said "we're…

John Inman’s legacy lives on through dame costumes in Weymouth

Post published:December 24, 2025
Post category:BBC Dorset
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Sophie CridlandSouth of EnglandBBCAbout 20 of John Inman's pantomime dame costumes are now owned by Weymouth pantomime dame Jamie RidingA larger than life wig, more make up than you feel comfortable in and a big frilly dress are what makes a traditional pantomime dame.The comedic character is traditionally a male in drag and the late actor, John Inman, played the dame many times.Some of the Are You Being Served? TV legend's costumes have been handed down to the…

Kingston Maurward House roof repair plans ‘would cause harm’

Post published:December 24, 2025
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Trevor BevinsLocal Democracy Reporting ServiceLDRSKingston Maurward House has been described as "a fine example of a Georgian English country housePlans to use a synthetic covering to repair the roof of a Grade 1 listed manor house "would cause harm" to the building's historic status, experts have said. The agricultural college based at Kingston Maurward House, near Dorchester in Dorset, has applied to replace a flat roof to prevent leaks.But Historic England said the materials proposed would be "not…