county news

Charity’s celeb advent calendar talks about mental health

Charity’s celeb advent calendar talks about mental health

Spark UKSir Stephen Fry is one of the celebrities included in the mental health advent calendarA mental health charity has launched an advent calendar which shares celebrity messages to encourage people to talk about mental health. Spark UK, a charity launched in North Devon, has released its fifth and final advent calendar which includes celebrities such as Sir Stephen Fry, Henry Rowley and Alfie Boe.The non-profit mental health charity was launched in 2020 by teenager Conor Warren with…

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Charity’s celebrity advent calendar highlights mental health

Charity’s celebrity advent calendar highlights mental health

Spark UKSir Stephen Fry is one of the celebrities included in the mental health advent calendarA mental health charity has launched an advent calendar which shares celebrity messages to encourage people to talk about mental health. Spark UK, a charity launched in North Devon, has released its fifth and final advent calendar which includes celebrities such as Sir Stephen Fry, Henry Rowley and Alfie Boe.The non-profit mental health charity was launched in 2020 by teenager Conor Warren with…

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University of Exeter celebrates South West cinema success with online public film festival

An online film festival showcasing movies and documentaries that comment upon creative life in Devon and Cornwall opens today (Monday 1 December). DxC will feature works past and present from regional directors, with the theme of Southwest Crossings: Journeys Through Time. The films are all being screened free of charge on YouTube, courtesy of eXeFilm, the University of Exeter’s film distribution label. There will also be two ticketed pop-up cinema events in Exeter this week, featuring short films…

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The Hundred: Heather Knight named women’s general manager of London Spirit

The Hundred: Heather Knight named women’s general manager of London Spirit

Former England captain Heather Knight has been appointed as general manager of London Spirit's women's team after opting out of playing in the 2026 edition of The Hundred.The newly created role will see Knight work alongside director of cricket Mo Bobat to provide elite perspectives into the women's game.She will continue to represent England alongside playing for Somerset on the domestic stage. Knight, 34, has been affiliated with London Spirit since the competition's launch in 2021, serving as…

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Cornwall residents concerned after bus firm stops operating

Cornwall residents concerned after bus firm stops operating

BBCMs Deans uses the service to visit her friendResidents in a rural village say they are concerned about a "life line" bus service after its operator said it would withdraw its 14 services. First Bus announced plans last month to withdraw from its five depots at Camborne, Falmouth, Penzance, Summercourt and Truro due to rising costs and falling passenger numbers.Bus operator Go Cornwall said it would step in as a replacement by the middle of February 2026 when…

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New clothing to be delivered to Ukraine children from Cornwall

New clothing to be delivered to Ukraine children from Cornwall

BBCDavid Pond will be delivering new clothing and shoes to orphaned children in Ukraine for ChristmasNew coats, shoes and hooded jackets are being gifted to orphaned children in Ukraine, ahead of Christmas after a fundraising campaign.David Pond, from Kingsand, Cornwall, helped set up a crisis response centre when the war in Ukraine began in February 2022 and has since raised funds to provide supplies, including medical equipment and humanitarian aid for the country.He said the gifts would be…

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Work begins on Paignton coastal flood protection scheme

Work begins on Paignton coastal flood protection scheme

Watch: A flythrough of the planned coastal defences (This video has no sound)A multimillion-pound project to upgrade a seafront to protect hundreds of homes at risk of coastal flooding has started.Paignton seafront and Preston beach in Devon are getting new defences designed to protect about 350 homes and businesses from damaging easterly storms in decades to come.The Environment Agency said its climate change models predicted larger areas of Paignton would become affected by coastal flooding over the next…

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Bridgwater Library repairs leads to pop-up facility being opened

Bridgwater Library repairs leads to pop-up facility being opened

A temporary library has been opened while emergency repairs are carried out at the original facility.Bridgwater Library has been closed since 22 October after £1.5m of county council funding was agreed to fix its leaking roof.Somerset Council has opened a pop-up library at Bridgwater House for locals who want to access services.Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, lead member for communities, housing and culture said the council was "really pleased" at being able to provide the "vital resource for the community".The…

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Truro City: Dawn Sports and Entertainment buy stake in National League club

Truro City: Dawn Sports and Entertainment buy stake in National League club

Truro City's owners have sold an 8.33% stake in the National League club to an American investor.Dawn Sports and Entertainment LLC (DSE) owns the newly formed Oklahoma United FC, which plays in the National Premier Soccer League.It is the first significant stake that Canadian-based owners Ontario Inc have sold since buying the club two years ago. "This is only the first step of what we believe will become a defining partnership," DSE chief executive Abdullah Ashraf said in…

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Disruption as rain hits the South West coast

Disruption as rain hits the South West coast

Strong winds and heavy rain has hit south-west England with disruption across Devon and Cornwall.A number of trees have fallen down in Devon, with drivers urged to seek alternative routes.According to Highways, there is a fallen tree on Bodmin Street near Holsworthy, one partially blocking the B3165 and reports of a tree partially overhanging the road joining the A383 near Bickington.The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for rain for Devon and Cornwall from 00:01 GMT on…

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Truro City: John Askey frustrated as errors cost them points at Hartlepool United

Truro City: John Askey frustrated as errors cost them points at Hartlepool United

Truro City boss John Askey said he is getting frustrated by his side's errors after another National League defeat.The Tinners were beaten 3-1 at Hartlepool United, which left them bottom of the table and widened the gap to safety to eight points. City have lost their past five league matches and have picked up just five points in two months. "To get back to 1-1, I thought second half we were the better team, and again we've shot…

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