Salmon functionally extinct in Devon river due to weir, says charity

Post published:December 9, 2025
Post category:Devon News
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Campaigners who say salmon are close to extinction on a river say the species could be re-established if improvements are made to an old weir.Fish cannot cross the School Weir on the River Sid in east Devon because it is too high to jump over, meaning that the species only exists in very small numbers, said the Westcountry Rivers Trust.The trust said salmon were "functionally extinct" in the river and urged authorities to help them.The Environment Agency said…

F1 champion Lando Norris honoured with street in Somerset shopping centre

Post published:December 8, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
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Joe SkirkowskiWest of EnglandPA MediaLando Norris became the 11th Briton to win the F1 World ChampionshipsLando Norris may have only just been crowned Formula 1 world champion but he is already being immortalised in his home county of Somerset.The 26-year-old won the F1 title after a third place finish in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix gave him the points needed to make the triumph possible.He was honoured with a pedestrianised street called Lando Lane named after him at…

Activist’s hammer attack was to ‘protect friend’, court told

Post published:December 8, 2025
Post category:Devon News
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An alleged Palestine Action member has told a jury he struck a police officer with a sledgehammer because he was "protecting" a co-defendant.Samuel Corner, 23, is accused of attacking the Sgt during a break-in at Elbit Systems UK factory near Bristol in the early hours of August 6 last year.The Oxford University graduate from Devon is one of six accused of aggravated burglary, criminal damage and violent disorder after using a prison van to break into site.He stands…

Devon and Cornwall Police carry out drink and tests for ferry users

Post published:December 8, 2025
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Police have been carrying out random drink and drug tests on a South West ferry service.Operation Ferry is a part of Devon and Cornwall Police's push to reduce the number of alcohol and drug-related driving deaths in the build up to Christmas.It took place on the Torpoint Ferry where officers waited on either side of the service in Plymouth and Torpoint to carry out the tests.The force said it hoped the operation would highlight how long drugs and…

Protesters hope to save ‘precious farmland’ amid food security fears

Post published:December 8, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
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Plans to double the number of homes in a village by building on "precious farmland" have been opposed by some residents.Protesters gathered earlier to object to North Somerset Council's local plan, which proposes 1,800 new homes in Backwell by 2041. Residents have said farmland, earmarked for about 1,000 houses, is crucial for future food security.Resident Loraine Hopkinson said: "We're a village of under 2,000 houses so another almost 2,000 houses is doubling the size of the village and…

‘Danger to life’ warning issued in Devon and Cornwall

Post published:December 8, 2025
Post category:BBC Cornwall
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Storm Bram could cut off South West communities and cause a "danger to life" because of flooding, forecasters have said.The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for rain covering parts of Devon and Cornwall from 00:00 to 10:00 GMT on Tuesday as the named storm is expected to cause disruption.It said about 100mm (4in) of rain could fall in a few exposed areas within the warning zone, which is mainly focused on Dartmoor and part of…

Cornish windsurfer wins bronze medal at European Championships

Post published:December 8, 2025
Post category:BBC Cornwall
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BBCFinn Hawkins (right), from Cornwall, started windsurfing aged 10A windsurfer described his bronze medal as a "real breakthrough" after placing third at the iQFOiL European Championships in Italy.Finn Hawkins, from St Austell, Cornwall, started windsurfing aged 10, after he spotted a windsurfer while out sailing a dinghy with his dad.Despite having previous successes in youth, junior and under-23 competitions, 22-year-old Mr Hawkins said he had never "medaled or been close to a medal at a big senior competition".He…

Protesters and police clash as Falmouth trees cut down

Post published:December 8, 2025
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Clashes between protesters and police have occurred before three trees were felled.Cornwall Council removed the mature lime trees from Trelawney Road in Falmouth due to the roots causing damage to the pavement, road and a nearby property.Devon and Cornwall Police said about 40 people attended a planned protest at the site before the trees were felled.Police said one protester, who had to be moved after allegedly trying to access a secured area, suffered a bump to her head…

Former Frome councillor jailed for Just Stop Oil protest

Post published:December 8, 2025
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A former councillor has been sentenced to more than two years in prison for his role in a Just Stop Oil protest.Michael Dunk was elected to represent the Green Party in the Frome West division of Somerset in May 2022.Southwark Crown Court was told Dunk climbed gantries on the M25 on 8 November 2022, to demand an end to new fossil fuel projects. Police had to close the motorway as a result of the action.Under government rules elected…

Council pledges to monitor Portland incinerator emissions

Post published:December 8, 2025
Post category:BBC Dorset
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Trevor Bevins,Local Democracy Reporting ServiceandStephen Stafford,South of EnglandPowerfuel PortlandThe proposed incinerator at Portland Port would be built on land owned by Portland PortEmissions from a waste incinerator set to be built on the Dorset coast will be monitored by the county council.Powerfuel Portland Ltd is planning to build the incinerator on land at Portland Port after the Court of Appeal dismissed a legal challenge brought by campaigners last month.Dorset Council said it would sample both emissions from the…

Craig Overton: Somerset all-rounder signs new three-year contract

Post published:December 8, 2025
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Somerset Director for Cricket, Andy Hurry said: ""His approach, work ethic, competitive mindset and will to succeed have taken him to the very top of his profession, and we very much look forward to him continuing to positively influence matches for Somerset."Overton has spent his entire career in England with Somerset since making his debut for the club in 2012 and has won two T20 Blast titles as well as the fifty-over One Day Cup in 2019.He was…

Stuart Brocklehurst appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Devon

Post published:December 8, 2025
Post category:Exeter Uni News
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The University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Business Engagement and Innovation, Stuart Brocklehurst, has been appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Devon. HM Deputy Lieutenants are appointed to assist the work of the Lord Lieutenant as The King’s personal representative in the county, representing The Crown and celebrating the achievements of the people of Devon and their service to the community. These important roles are given to individuals who have made significant contributions to public life, voluntary work, or community leadership.…