county news

‘Chronically depleted’ Torquay United hit back to beat Worthing 3-2

‘Chronically depleted’ Torquay United hit back to beat Worthing 3-2

Torquay United manager Paul Wotton says he will have to bolster his depleted squad after they came back from 2-0 down to beat Worthing 3-2.The victory moved the Gulls up to third in National League South, leapfrogging Worthing who drop to fifth. But Dan Hayfield, Louis Dennis and Dylan Morgan sustained injuries that might add them to Wotton's list of absentees, including suspended duo Matt Worthington and Callum Dolan."I'm not sure what we're going to do to be…

Continue Reading‘Chronically depleted’ Torquay United hit back to beat Worthing 3-2

Dignitaries gather for the premiere of Normandy documentary at the University of Exeter

Dignitaries gather for the premiere of Normandy documentary at the University of Exeter

A documentary focusing on a crucial battle in the Normandy campaign of the Second World War has received its regional premiere at the University of Exeter. A CANTERBURY TALE: Albert Figg and the Battle for Hill 112, created by award-winning filmmaker Peter Williams, tells the story of the eponymous battle through the words of some of the West Country veterans who survived its fierce fighting. It also explores the efforts of Sergeant Albert Figg, a Royal Artillery veteran…

Continue ReadingDignitaries gather for the premiere of Normandy documentary at the University of Exeter

New research project to provide historical perspective on contemporary farming challenges

The debate over whether UK farming can continue to feed us, be commercially viable and conserve our vulnerable natural environment is set to be addressed by a major new research project combining history with business analysis and environmental science. Researchers at the University of Exeter will examine archival records over a 600-year period – from the Middle Ages to the Victorian era – and assign a sustainability rating to each historical era. It is hoped that the £1.4m…

Continue ReadingNew research project to provide historical perspective on contemporary farming challenges

Rail anniversary exhibition train arrives in Somerset

Rail anniversary exhibition train arrives in Somerset

The 200th rail anniversary exhibition train has arrived at the West Somerset RailwayAn exhibition train marking the 200th anniversary of the modern railway has arrived at the West Somerset Railway.The train, called Inspiration, is on a nationwide tour with more than 200,000 people expected to visit.The West Somerset Railway is the only stopping point for the mobile exhibition in the West.The train is emblazoned with the words Past, Present, Future and Together. Source link

Continue ReadingRail anniversary exhibition train arrives in Somerset

East Devon fungus group champions citizen science

East Devon fungus group champions citizen science

A group of mushroom enthusiasts in East Devon are working to bolster fungi conservation efforts.The Three Counties Group of the Fungus Conservation Trust photograph and record the mushrooms they find in a database which is used by organisations that need it.Trustee Hazel Jordan said: "It is used for various different things - whether it be planning, the National Trust, Natural England, students, conservation groups - an amazing amount of things."The charity-run trust wants to encourage more people to…

Continue ReadingEast Devon fungus group champions citizen science

Chile snowstorm survivors upset and angry over slow response

Chile snowstorm survivors upset and angry over slow response

BBCAustralian Robyn Lewis is part of a group calling for changes following the response to a snowstorm which killed five people in PatagoniaA survivor of a deadly snowstorm in Patagonia says there is "anger" over the speed of the response.Robyn Lewis was caught up in the storm in Chile's Torres del Paine National Park on 17 November which led to the deaths of five people, including Victoria Bond from Cornwall.Ms Lewis, from Australia, is among more than 50…

Continue ReadingChile snowstorm survivors upset and angry over slow response

Cornwall stroke survivor says bodysurfing boosted recovery

Cornwall stroke survivor says bodysurfing boosted recovery

BBCDanny Teare has won medals in competitions in France and MoroccoA stroke survivor who has used bodysurfing as part of his recovery is now ranked 20th in the sport in Europe and Africa.Danny Teare, 50, represented the UK in the Euro Open Bodysurf Tour, only six years after suffering a stroke while surfing.Mr Teare, from Camborne, says surfing was "a massive part" of his life before he had the stroke but being in the sea had also helped…

Continue ReadingCornwall stroke survivor says bodysurfing boosted recovery

Wiltshire man donates kidney to woman he met after crash

Wiltshire man donates kidney to woman he met after crash

Sue Kinnear,BBC Radio WiltshireandKirsten Robertson,BBC WiltshireClare BrixeyClare Brixey and Tim Swimburn are recovering well following their four-hour operationTwo people who met through tragic circumstances have united for a life-saving kidney transplant.Tim Swinburn, from Melksham in Wiltshire, met Clare Brixey, from Standerwick in Somerset, in 2004, when he had to knock on her door to explain her 20-year-old son, Ashley, had died in a car crash.At the time, Ms Brixey was already suffering from kidney failure and reliant on…

Continue ReadingWiltshire man donates kidney to woman he met after crash

Bridge and waterfront repairs overrun at Poole Park

Bridge and waterfront repairs overrun at Poole Park

A road and a popular waterfront path remains closed until mid-December due to challenges in ongoing repair works.Poole Park lagoon, in Poole, Dorset, is a wildlife haven and recreation facility, fed by a sluice channel under nearby Baiter Park and a railway line.Essential repair works to reconstruct the structure of the sluice channel after the piling became heavily corroded started on 21 July and had been expected to be completed by the end of November.Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole…

Continue ReadingBridge and waterfront repairs overrun at Poole Park

Devon tourism chiefs say chancellor needs to offer them hope

Devon tourism chiefs say chancellor needs to offer them hope

BBCRick Turner said the tourism sector was "massively impacted" by the last budgetThe boss of a rural attraction has said tourism needs to be offered hope when Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the Budget on Wednesday. Rick Turner, director of The Big Sheep in north Devon, said the government's last budget led to closures and sucked enthusiasm out of the tourism and hospitality sector.He said: "We need the bright light in the future to see where we're going, rather…

Continue ReadingDevon tourism chiefs say chancellor needs to offer them hope

New Chard dentist to open before Christmas

New Chard dentist to open before Christmas

PA MediaThe new dental surgery in Chard will open on 2 DecemberAn NHS dentist has paused prospective patients from registering due to "high demand" on the first day of applications.The new surgery in Chard, Somerset, will open on 2 December on Leach Road and be run by One Smile Dental.The opening comes only two months after another dental surgery opened in Wellington, and there are also plans for a new service in Crewkerne.Local MP Adam Dance said the…

Continue ReadingNew Chard dentist to open before Christmas

Devon and Cornwall Police ‘deal with 60 protests a month’

Devon and Cornwall Police ‘deal with 60 protests a month’

Alison StephensonLocal Democracy Reporting ServiceBBCPolice commissioner Alison Hernandez said she would take intelligence from councillors over gatherings that cause problemsDevon and Cornwall Police deal with about 60 protests a month as a result of community unrest, a police and crime panel has been told.Police and crime commissioner Alison Hernandez said many of the protests were small but police undertook "significant tactical planning and engagement with community leaders" ahead of the larger demonstrations.The panel meeting on Friday also heard…

Continue ReadingDevon and Cornwall Police ‘deal with 60 protests a month’