Somerset teenager hits the big screen in hunt for Bigfoot

Post published:November 30, 2025
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Rachel Candlin,West of EnglandandSimon Parkin,SomersetBBCDaniel Barnett filmed the documentary with his grandparents, Adrian and Jill RobertsA teenager has hit the big screen after his hunt for a mythical creature was made into a new documentary.Daniel Lee Barnett, 15, from Stogursey, Somerset, travelled from the Quantock Hills to Washington in the US in search of the elusive Bigfoot with a team of experts.My Bigfoot Life starts with Daniel's discovery of a large footprint in woods near his home, which…

‘New tropical house’ and ‘nomadic litterpickers’

Post published:November 30, 2025
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Bristol Zoo ProjectThe frosty weather has created some stunning dawn scenes across the region this week, while at Bristol Zoo Project, the new tropical house is keeping the reptiles toasty warm.Here is a selection of pictures from across the West in our weekly round-up.BristolBristol Zoo ProjectBeady-eyed: This Henkel's leaf-tailed gecko is part of Bristol Zoological Society's breeding programme and can be seen in the new tropical habitat at the zoo.Nick Potts/PA WireA handful: Bristol City's Sinclair Armstrong (L)…

New Bishop of Plymouth is installed

Post published:November 29, 2025
Post category:Devon News
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The Right Reverend Nicholas Hudson has been installed as the Bishop of Plymouth, overseeing a diocese that covers Devon, Cornwall and Dorset.Bishop Hudson was appointed in the Devon city at the Cathedral Church of St Mary and St Boniface, on the patronal feast day of St Cuthbert Mayne, on Saturday.Ordained as a priest for the Archdiocese of Southwark in 1986, Bishop Hudson has been an Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster and Titular Bishop of St Germans in Cornwall since…

Playwright Sir Tom Stoppard dies at 88

Post published:November 29, 2025
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Seher AsafandPatrick JacksonPlaywright Sir Tom Stoppard dies at 88Sir Tom Stoppard, one of the UK’s best-known playwrights, has died aged 88, his agents have announced.Sir Tom, who won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for the screenplay for Shakespeare In Love, "died peacefully at home in Dorset, surrounded by his family".His other stage work included The Real Thing, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead."He will be remembered for his works, for their brilliance and humanity, and for his…

Torquay United go top of league after 2-0 Chelmsford City win

Post published:November 29, 2025
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Torquay United moved to the top of National League South after a 2-0 win at Chelmsford City.Their fifth successive victory puts them top of the sixth tier on goal difference from Weston-super-Mare and Hornchurch, although both sides have a game in hand on the Gulls.Teenage striker Kieran Wilson - making his debut after joining on loan from Exeter City earlier in the week - gave the Gulls the lead with a superb 25-yard strike 10 minutes into the…

Cornish Pirates ‘get out of jail’ in 28-19 Richmond win

Post published:November 29, 2025
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Cornish Pirates used their 'get out of jail free card' as they held on for a 28-19 victory over Richmond.The bonus-point victory extended their winning run to five matches as Pirates consolidated fourth place in the Champ. But they had to rely on a late Harry Yates try after Richmond had missed a second-half penalty to take the lead. "That second half was all Richmond, they were camped in our half and played good field position," joint-head coach…

Cornish Pirates urges people to call out violence against women

Post published:November 29, 2025
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The Cornish Pirates have launched a campaign on social media to encourage people to "stand up" when they see domestic violence.The club released a video featuring pledges from players to "call out" violence against women and girls.Neil Smith, community coach at Cornish Pirates, said they aimed to "show our support for women and girls and to end domestic violence, not just in Cornwall, but globally"."The boys standing up and putting that message across hopefully will encourage more people…

Dorset council announces free parking in run-up to Christmas

Post published:November 29, 2025
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A council is offering free parking in the run-up to the festive season. Dorset Council said the initiative was intended to support local businesses and encourage residents to shop locally.Free parking will be available in council-run car parks in Beaminster, Blandford, Bridport, Corfe Castle, Dorchester, Ferndown, Gillingham, Lyme Regis, Shaftesbury, Sherborne, Sturminster Newton, Wareham, Weymouth and Wimborne.Councillor Richard Biggs said: "Christmas can be an expensive time, especially with the current pressures on household budgets."The JustPark app and ticket…

Festival award for Cornish mine exploration film mental health

Post published:November 29, 2025
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The Carbis Bay Crew spend hours deep underneath Cornwall, even digging out old tunnels and diving through flooded sections to reach new areas.Members admit their hobby has the potential to be extremely dangerous so they are all qualified in rescue techniques and are careful not to reveal where they access the old mine workings, to prevent other less-qualified people following in their footsteps. The film maker, Dan Simpkins, had to complete safety training with them before going underground…

New ‘urban mini meadows’ created in Devon town

Post published:November 29, 2025
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Selected green spaces in Devon are to be transformed into "vibrant wildflower meadows", the council has said. South Hams District Council said the initiative to create 11 new urban mini meadows was part of its ongoing commitment to enhance local biodiversity and to support wildlife. A selection of the council-owned spaces had already benefited from relaxed mowing regimes.The work included removing the top layer of grass, moss, and organic matter, then sowing a locally sourced perennial wildflower mix…

Normal rail service resumes after dry embankments slowed trains

Post published:November 29, 2025
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Hourly rail services are being reinstated on the London Waterloo to Exeter St David's service following work to remedy issues caused by dry embankments.South Western Railway (SWR) and Network Rail said the service, which passes through Hampshire, Wiltshire and Somerset will be back to a normal timetable, and journey times, from Saturday.Trains had been running on a reduced timetable with speed restrictions since August, after dry soil disturbed tracks above the embankments.Bruce Duncan, Chair of the Salisbury-Exeter Rail…

Eviction notice for man who created Poole ‘secret garden’

Post published:November 29, 2025
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Marcus WhiteSouth of EnglandJim GardnerJim Gardner said the green space was an "amazing, quiet place to sit and escape"A man who spent eight years creating a public garden on borrowed land has said he is "so hurt" by a plan to evict him.Jim Gardner was given informal permission to develop the so-called Secret Garden, with exotic plants and artwork, along a public footpath in Poole, Dorset.However, the landowner, Bournemouth & Poole College, said it had become "overgrown and…