county news

Bude secondary school reopens following flu outbreak

Bude secondary school reopens following flu outbreak

BBCDominic Wilkes, head teacher of Budehaven Community School, said the decision to close had not been taken lightlyA school has reopened following a two-day closure last week due to an outbreak of flu and streptococcus infection.Budehaven Community School, in Bude, Cornwall, said it had to suspend in-person learning for two days last week after more than 270 pupils and 32 members of staff were off sick.Head teacher Dominic Wilkes said the decision to close was not taken lightly…

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Steam loco makes debut at Shillingstone after 10-year restoration

Steam loco makes debut at Shillingstone after 10-year restoration

A steam locomotive has made its first official appearance following a 10-year restoration project by volunteers.The 1954 loco, a class 62 engine from the former Yugoslavia, was brought to the UK in 2006 and was moved to Shillingstone, Dorset, in January 2016.The restoration was completed by Project 62 - a team of volunteers who are also working on another class 62 locomotive - 30075.The restored engine made its debut on Sunday as a Santa special at the newly…

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Sylvia Townsend Warner statue unveiled in Dorchester

Sylvia Townsend Warner statue unveiled in Dorchester

A town's first statue of a non-royal woman has been unveiled.The life-size bronze of novelist Sylvia Townsend Warner has been installed in Dorchester, Dorset.It is the work of charity Visible Women UK and artist Denise Dutton, who also created the Mary Anning statue in Lyme Regis.Supporters gathered outside Gould's department store in South Street for the unveiling at 13:00 GMT on Sunday.The charity crowdfunded for the statue and held a public vote about which notable woman should be…

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Sewage discharged into Portland harbour after tug boat fault

Sewage discharged into Portland harbour after tug boat fault

Sewage from a tug boat that discharged into a harbour has been contained, according to port authorities.The BBC has been told that staff were informed in an email from Portland Port, Dorset, that sewage had been discharging from the Maiden Castle, one of three tugs operating in the harbour.Bill Reeves, chief executive of Portland Port, said "action was taken immediately" and that the fault has "now been fixed".Dorset Council said it will investigate whether the leak is linked…

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Julia’s House Children’s Hospice is ‘pillar of our community’

Julia’s House Children’s Hospice is ‘pillar of our community’

Chris McHugh/BBCJulia's House Children's Hospice is supporting Skye (centre) and her family while she experiences an unknown condition"It didn't feel like end-of-life care... it was bright, airy and there was laughter in the background."Kyle is describing the moment he first entered Julia's House Children's Hospice in Poole, Dorset. It was somewhere he and his family never thought they would be. His daughter Skye, 5, has been cared for by the hospice since last year after developing a still-unknown…

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Former council HQ in Taunton could become flats for NHS staff

Former council HQ in Taunton could become flats for NHS staff

Ruth BradleyPolitics reporter, BBC SomersetLDRSSomerset Council sold the building in Taunton for £1.7m in AprilA planning application has been submitted to turn a building which used to be part of a council's headquarters into accommodation for key workers.Somerset Council sold C Block of County Hall in Taunton earlier this year for £1.7m. It said it was no longer required and the proceeds would go towards reducing its £66m budget deficit.It was purchased by specialist developer Prime Plc, which…

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Winter campaign encourages people in Cornwall to stay healthy

Winter campaign encourages people in Cornwall to stay healthy

BBCPaul Sweet is offering advice based on his experience of diabetes and cardiovascular diseaseA new campaign encouraging people to help themselves stay healthy this winter.The NHS in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly said the campaign featuring "winter wellbeing everyday champions" would demonstrate the role friends, family and the wider community could play in managing long-term conditions and keeping well. NHS bosses also urged eligible people to get their winter vaccines including flu, Covid, RSV, pneumococcal and shingles.Paul…

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NHS offers parents in Devon advice amid flu cases

NHS offers parents in Devon advice amid flu cases

BBCExperts say since the Covid-19 pandemic parents have been more cautious sending children to schoolAmid a flurry of headlines about rising flu cases this winter it is not surprising that some parents or carers might think twice before sending their child to school if they have a cough or a cold.NHS GP and broadcaster Dr Radha Modgil said since the Covid-19 pandemic parents have been more cautious around when to send their children into school."It can be really…

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Tom Cleverley: ‘Substance over style’ working for Plymouth Argyle

Tom Cleverley: ‘Substance over style’ working for Plymouth Argyle

Plymouth Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley says he is going for "substance over style" following a fourth 1-0 win in six games.The victory over Rotherham United was the fifth time in that six-game period that there had been just one goal in a Pilgrims match as Cleverley tries to drag his side away from the League One relegation zone.And three points gained saw Argyle move up to 21st in League One, only inside the drop zone on goal…

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Scuba diving Santas support Christmas fundraiser in Somerset

Scuba diving Santas support Christmas fundraiser in Somerset

Nearly 90 scuba-diving Santas, reindeer and Christmas trees have gathered to raise money for charity.Certified scuba divers arrived at Radstock's Vobster Quay in Somerset in their festive outfits to fundraise for Help the Heroes and National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) earlier.The organisers have raised £55,000 since the annual event started in 2007, with the 85 divers and supporting team raising more than £3,000 this year. Amy Stanton, Vobster Quay owner, said the event has become a "statement fixture" in…

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Weather warning issued for Devon and Cornwall

Weather warning issued for Devon and Cornwall

Forecasters have warned of flooding and travel delays with a weather warning issued for Cornwall and parts of Devon. The Met Office has put out a yellow warning for rain across Cornwall and in areas such as Plymouth and north Devon from 06:00 GMT until 23:59 on Monday. The warning said heavy rain was expected to cause delays and flooding in places. It said spray and floodings on roads would "probably make journey times longer and bus and…

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Weakened Truro City out of FA Trophy after 4-0 Southend United loss

Weakened Truro City out of FA Trophy after 4-0 Southend United loss

Truro City manager John Askey said his priority was his side's league campaign after their 4-0 FA Trophy loss at Southend United.Askey made seven changes to the side that lost 3-1 at Hartlepool in the National League last week as he focuses on trying to turn around poor form which has left the Tinners bottom of the table. Harry Cardwell gave the hosts a 32nd-minute lead before Jack Bridge doubled the advantage just before half-time. Josh Walker added…

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