county news

Tom Harrison: Truro City defender returns to fitness after knee injury

Tom Harrison: Truro City defender returns to fitness after knee injury

Truro City defender Tom Harrison says he is ready to help the club climb off the bottom of the National League. The 24-year-old has recovered from a serious knee injury he suffered in late February which needed surgery.Having missed the National League South title win last season Harrison has spent two months of this campaign on loan at sixth-tier Chippenham Town to restore his fitness.He returned to Truro's first team on Tuesday in their 3-0 National League Cup…

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Man, 53, dies after van hits wall at Sidbury

Man, 53, dies after van hits wall at Sidbury

A 53-year-old van driver has died after his vehicle left the road and hit a wall, police have said.The crash happened on the A375 at Sidbury near Sidmouth in east Devon at about 14:30 GMT on Wednesday, the Devon and Cornwall force said.It said the driver, a local man, sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash and his next of kin had been informed.Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash which happened as the van…

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University of Exeter to support businesses in Somerset with new ‘Innovation Hub’

The University of Exeter is reaching into Somerset to support businesses and economic growth through the launch of a new Innovation Hub. The Somerset Innovation Hub, led by Exeter Innovation in collaboration with Somerset Council and SETsquared Bath, will help businesses across Somerset harness innovation, develop new products and services, and drive regional economic growth. From its base at the Firepool Centre for Digital Innovation in Taunton, the Innovation Hub will deliver a two-year programme of innovation services and events that support Somerset’s entrepreneurs, start-ups…

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County Championship: Notts to start title defence against Somerset

County Championship: Notts to start title defence against Somerset

There will be a notable change in the women's One-Day Cup next summer with Yorkshire joining the eight teams granted tier one status for the 2025 season.It means the first fully professional women's 50-over Roses match will take place against holders Lancashire at Old Trafford on Saturday, 25 April, with the return game on 12 September.Yorkshire won the League Two trophy last season, beating Glamorgan by nine wickets at Worcester, with Erin Thomas hitting an unbeaten 62. In…

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Alan Paver: Cornish Pirates coach says Champ is more competitive

Alan Paver: Cornish Pirates coach says Champ is more competitive

Cornish Pirates joint-head coach Alan Paver believes this year's Champ is more competitive than ever.Having failed to secure a victory in their first three matches, Pirates have won their last four - including a 52-0 win over Cambridge on 15 November - propelling them up to fourth place in the table.This season is the first in the revamped 14-team second tier which will see the top six sides enter play-offs to decide who wins the title. "I think…

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Frome para surfer finds ‘lifeline’ after two heart attacks

Frome para surfer finds ‘lifeline’ after two heart attacks

Jack Killah,SomersetandDawn Limbu,West of EnglandKay MillarKay Millar has her eyes set on becoming a para surfer with Team EnglandA woman who survived two heart attacks has said para surfing has become a "lifeline" as she sets her eyes on representing Team England.Kay Millar, 29, from Frome in Somerset, has limb-paralysis and arm weakness and has been in a wheelchair since the age of 12. Then last year she had two unexpected heart attacks.She said this led to her…

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Appeal for Somerset volunteers to offer young people lodgings

Appeal for Somerset volunteers to offer young people lodgings

BBCLeon, 18 and Pat, 76, were paired together on the scheme earlier this yearA scheme pairing young adults who have often been in care with people who have a spare room is looking for new volunteers.The Stepping Stones project, run by Somerset Council, provides homes for people aged 18 to 21 who are moving from care to adulthood.Leon, 18, and Pat, 76, were paired together in January 2025 and Leon said it's given him a lot of confidence…

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GP practice opens in old supermarket in Helston

GP practice opens in old supermarket in Helston

A new health and wellbeing centre has opened inside a refurbished supermarket building that had been derelict for seven years. The building now houses Cober Valley Health in Helston, a GP practice which includes 19 consulting and treatment rooms and wellbeing rooms. There will be health and wellbeing coaches, including from mental health charity Pentreath, yoga classes and a community choir on site.Dr James Tait, GP partner and lead GP for the building project said: "I think it's…

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Former land girl, 98, cycles 25 miles for Devon charity

Former land girl, 98, cycles 25 miles for Devon charity

BBCDorrie Pack completed the challenge at her local gymA 98-year-old former land girl has cycled 25 miles in a month for charity. Dorrie Pack, who joined the Land Army when she was 16 years old, set herself the goal at the beginning of November but completed the distance before the end of the month. She said she wanted to raise funds for the charity Hospicecare but could not decide what challenge to take on before settling on an…

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How Devon composting groups are cutting down on waste

How Devon composting groups are cutting down on waste

BBCVolunteers working at the Marldon Community Composting site A council has launched an initiative to cut garden waste through composting.South Hams District Council in Devon said there were already eight community garden waste composting sites in the area but it wanted to encourage more.It has offered up match-funded grants worth up to £7,500 towards the cost of creating community composting sites, which allow people to recycle their green waste as well as providing compost to take home.Sustainable South…

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Chatty bench unveiled at Weymouth coastal beautyspot

Chatty bench unveiled at Weymouth coastal beautyspot

A specially created bench to encourage people to talk about their mental health has been installed at a Dorset coastal beauty spot.The so-called chatty bench, hand-painted by local artist Helena Chessher, was unveiled on the hillside at Bowleaze Cove near Weymouth.Passers by are encouraged to sit on the bench if they are open to having a conversation.Dorset Mind said the bench symbolised "hope, warmth, and togetherness".The Chatty Bench campaign, supported by the Dorset Tea company, forms part of…

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Grants awarded to tackle cost-of-living crisis in Dorset

Grants awarded to tackle cost-of-living crisis in Dorset

Organisations tackling the cost-of-living crisis in Dorset have been awarded £80,000 worth of grants.Dorset Community Foundation and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council provided the money to 23 local groups.The council said it would pay for projects providing warm hubs, free meals, cookery workshops and money advice.Council cabinet member Sandra Moore said: "By funding these groups, we are helping to ease the cost-of-living pressures and ensure vital services reach those who need them most.""The incredible efforts of volunteers…

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