Trago announces job cuts and restaurant closures

Post published:December 16, 2025
Post category:Devon News
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BBCThe board of Trago has confirmed job losses at the Falmouth storeA chain of stores in Devon and Cornwall has announced a total of 24 jobs will be cut and its restaurants at Newton Abbot and Liskeard will close.The board of Trago said jobs would go at its Falmouth, Liskeard and Newton Abbot stores, but its Falmouth store would stay open despite the closure of two departments deemed no longer commercially viable. In September, Trago Mills chairman Bruce…

Three record-breaking fish caught off Devon coast

Post published:December 16, 2025
Post category:Devon News
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Three Devon fishers have broken British records with their catch this summer.A Couch's sea bream caught near Dartmouth by Peter Kibel measured 59cm (23in), an Atlantic Bonito measuring 73cm (28in) was netted near Ilfracombe and a new sea "mini-species" of Steven's goby found off Plymouth Sound by Chris Scott, weighed 9.33g (0.02lbs), said The Angling Trust which ratified the records.David Kiddy caught the Atlantic Bonito and said blue fin tuna appearing off Devon's coasts may be bringing the…

Glastonbury multi-million pound regeneration projects axed

Post published:December 16, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
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Michelle Ruminski,Somerset political reporterandRuth Bradley,Somerset political reporterBBC NewsRed Brick says it is "preparing for the very real possibility of insolvency"A council has terminated two multi-million pound government-funded regeneration projects after an audit of one highlighted concerns over governance and finances. Somerset Council ended the Life Factory and Glastonbury Food and Regenerative Farming Centre projects, both Glastonbury Town Deal schemes, in November. In a new report, the authority says it is seeking repayment of more than £2.4m in grant…

Man’s leg broken by motorbike rider fleeing police in Bournemouth

Post published:December 16, 2025
Post category:BBC Dorset
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Emily HudsonSouth of EnglandBBCJoe Hart was knocked over in a Bournemouth car parkA man suffered a broken leg when he was knocked over by a motorcyclist that police officers were attempting to stop.Dorset Police said four men were arrested and a number of vehicles were seized on Saturday after an illegal procession of motorbikes and e-bikes was prevented in Bournemouth.Joe Hart, who said the bike came out of nowhere when it hit him in a car park close…

Singing at royal concert was like a dream

Post published:December 16, 2025
Post category:BBC Cornwall
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A shanty group who were asked to perform at the annual Christmas carol concert in Westminster Abbey have said the experience was like a dream.Catherine, Princess of Wales, personally invited Fisherman's Friends from Port Isaac, Cornwall, to sing a sea shanty in the Together at Christmas service.Jon Cleave from the band said they were absolutely thrilled to receive the invitation and they "couldn't actually believe it".He said Catherine even shared memories of her time singing their songs through…

How to avoid delays on the big Christmas getaway

Post published:December 16, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
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Chris LockyerWest of EnglandBBCThe RAC has predicted this year will be the busiest Christmas getaway on recordThe annual Christmas pilgrimage is soon to get under way and the prospect of delayed trains or motorway tailbacks can often be anxiety-inducing.The RAC has predicted this year will be the busiest festive getaway since it began recording the data in 2013, with Christmas Eve alone set to involve 4.2m trips.But it is not only on the roads - there will also…

Jamie Cole ‘should be with us,’ says mum after Tenerife death

Post published:December 16, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
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Clara BullockandMatthew Hill,SomersetBBCThe mum of an autistic man who died on holiday said she wants care companies to remember their responsibilitiesThe mother of an autistic man who died after falling from a balcony in Tenerife said she hopes his inquest will remind care companies of their responsibilities.Jamie Cole, 25, from Weston-super-Mare, was accompanied on holiday by carer Lousha Rees who worked for private care company Lifestyle, also known as Accomplish.Coroner Dr Peter Harrowing said on Monday that Ms…

Primary School Assembly Bangers go festive

Post published:December 16, 2025
Post category:BBC Dorset
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It's not often a performer will fire up the crowds on stage at Glastonbury and delight TV audiences on Songs of Praise, but James B Partridge has done just that.The Dorset-born creator of Primary School Assembly Bangers became an online sensation with his school hymn sets, which have earned him a following up and down the country."The love of music had to come from the assembly hall," he says. "We had fantastic tunes that we sang together and…

Traders angry as Penzance roadworks extended into 2026

Post published:December 16, 2025
Post category:BBC Cornwall
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BBCDog groomer Kirsty Stewart-Clarke is concerned her Christmas trade may be disrupted by ongoing roadworksSome business owners in Penzance have said they are frustrated as roadworks in the town have been extended into next year.Penzance town centre has undergone several changes this year - with new streetscapes and planters installed, as well as more pedestrian crossings - most of which has been completed in time for Christmas.However, retailers at the other end of the town have been told…

Cornish residents divided on timing of festive by-election

Post published:December 16, 2025
Post category:BBC Cornwall
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Seb NobleCornwall political reporter, St Columb MinorBBCAnna Burfoot feared people would not vote on Thursday as they will be busy preparing for Christmas Voters are divided on the timing of a by-election being held for Cornwall Council in the run-up to Christmas.On Thursday, residents will vote to elect a new member to represent the seat of St Columb Minor & Colan, near Newquay.The by-election was triggered by the resignation of councillor Christine Parsonage, just five months after winning…

Mousehole festive lights team battle stormy conditions

Post published:December 15, 2025
Post category:BBC Cornwall
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BBCThe Mousehole Harbour Lights were switched on during an event on ThursdayVolunteers from a Christmas lights event had to battle through the "worst" conditions they have faced to get the switch-on ready.The Mousehole Harbour Lights were turned on during an event on Thursday with hundreds of people heading down to the village's harbour to look at the displays.There are 60 displays at the event - which was first organised in 1964 - with 90km (56 miles) of cables…

Flag removal halted in Exeter amid safety concerns

Post published:December 15, 2025
Post category:Devon News
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Attempts to remove flags from lamp-posts on a busy road have been halted after people started putting them back up, a council's leader has said.Contractors working for Devon County Council removed about 35 St George and Union flags from lamp-posts along Bridge Road and around Countess Wear roundabout in Exeter at about 17:30 GMT on Sunday.But the authority said the operation was stopped due to safety concerns.Julian Brazil, the council's leader, said the flags made some people "feel…