county news

From G20 to Penryn: Experts hail Cornwall as the ‘Engine Room’ of PM’s new Critical Minerals Strategy 

The UK’s new Critical Minerals Strategy must make domestic extraction, refining, and recycling pillars of sovereign capability, experts have urged. The plan, which will be launched at the G20 summit in South Africa by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, should define critical minerals as key to a broader political-economic reset that can underpin jobs and local growth, a new report by the University of Exeter’s Critical Minerals Challenge Centre, says.  Members of the UKRI-funded research hub – based…

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Bridgwater Brymore Academy shuts over widespread vomiting

Bridgwater Brymore Academy shuts over widespread vomiting

Widespread sickness has led to a state boarding school having to be temporarily closed.The BBC understands 70 pupils and staff members at Brymore Academy in Bridgwater, Somerset, are currently suffering with vomiting and gastroenteritis deemed to be "highly infectious".The school closed on Thursday and remains shut with a spokesperson saying the decision was made to "safeguard the health and wellbeing" of the school community.The exact cause of the outbreak is currently unknown.Nicola Mould, the CFO of the Bridgwater…

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Victims left ‘devastated’ by £2m car-theft gang

Victims left ‘devastated’ by £2m car-theft gang

Stephen Stafford,South of England and Alex Bish,BBC InvestigationsSignal-boosting devices were used to steal keyless-ignition vehiclesVictims of an organised crime gang that stole mainly keyless ignition vehicles worth more than £2m have described the "devastation" of losing cars and vans.Thirteen people have been sentenced after admitting to their roles in the operation, which saw 107 vehicles stolen from across Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire between February and October 2023.They were mostly stolen from driveways overnight and taken to a so-called…

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Matt Worthington & Callum Dolan: Torquay United suspend pair for ‘disciplinary matter’

Matt Worthington & Callum Dolan: Torquay United suspend pair for ‘disciplinary matter’

Torquay United captain Matt Worthington and team-mate Callum Dolan have been suspended by the National League South club.The midfielders will not play for the next four matches after what the club says is an "internal disciplinary matter". Worthington has played in 16 of Torquay's 17 league games this season while Dolan has scored two goal in nine games.”It's hugely frustrating, it's another obstacle put in front of us,” Torquay manager Paul Wotton told BBC Radio Devon.“It’s been a…

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Exeter nightclub staff cleared after Freshers’ Week fall

Exeter nightclub staff cleared after Freshers’ Week fall

Miles DavisDevon political reporterBBCA University of Exeter student fell backwards down stairs at the Timepiece nightclub in ExeterSecurity staff at a nightclub acted correctly in dealing with a university student who fell backwards down stairs during Freshers' Week, a licensing committee has said.Lawyer David Dadds applied for a licensing review of the Timepiece nightclub in Exeter, Devon, and said door staff "failed to show basic care".Exeter City Council's licensing committee said it was "appropriate" to pick the woman…

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Family tribute to Penzance man who had ‘heart of gold’

Family tribute to Penzance man who had ‘heart of gold’

The family of a man whose death is at the centre of a murder investigation said he was "so lovable".Devon and Cornwall Police said Ison Alli from Penzance was found dead in a property in the Polruan Road area of Truro on 29 October.A tribute from his family said Mr Alli, who was 23, "had a heart of gold" and would "forever be our beautiful reason to believe in love that never fades".Police said a man from Truro…

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Devon gin maker fears further tax increase in Budget

Devon gin maker fears further tax increase in Budget

Miles DavisDevon political reporterBBCMick Skerratt from Exeter Gin runs a gin school as well as producing spiritsA gin producer and drinks maker is concerned the chancellor might increase tax on spirits again in the Budget.The previous Conservative government increased excise duty by more than 10% in August 2023 and Labour increased the tax by another 3.65% in 2024.Mick Skerratt from Exeter Gin said another increase in duty would be a tough blow to take at a time when…

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RSPCA warns of increase in abandoned pets in Devon and Cornwall

RSPCA warns of increase in abandoned pets in Devon and Cornwall

Caroline RobinsonSouth WestRSPCANova, who was found abandoned in Devon, suffered from severe malnutrition and cachexiaAn animal charity has warned of an increase of animal abandonment in the lead-up to winter.The RSPCA said animal abandonment cases in Devon had gone up by 14.9% so far this year, with 362 incidents logged by the end of October, compared with 315 last year.In Cornwall animal abandonment cases went up by 40.4%, with 205 incidents, compared with 146 last year, according to…

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Large holiday park in Portreath enters administration

Large holiday park in Portreath enters administration

The company that operates a large holiday park in Cornwall has gone into administration.Gwel an Mor in Portreath has dozens of holiday lodges along with facilities including indoor archery, a swimming pool, golf course, fishing lake and activity centre for children.Joint administrators were appointed to Cove Communities Venture 2 Gwel an Mor OpCo Ltd, its parent company Cove Communities Holiday Park UK, and three other subsidiaries, which operate 10 holiday parks between them, including Gwel an Mor.Administrator Adam…

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First Bus is to stop all its services in Cornwall from February

First Bus is to stop all its services in Cornwall from February

First BusThe bus operator said 275 jobs are at riskOne of the largest bus operators in Cornwall has announced plans to withdraw all its services due to rising costs and falling passenger numbers.First Bus is ending all 14 services by the middle of February 2026, putting 275 jobs at risk.It has a fleet of 85 buses and also plans to withdraw from its five depots at Camborne, Falmouth, Penzance, Summercourt and Truro.Managing director for First Bus South Simon…

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Demolition of North Devon hospital accomodation blocks under way

Demolition of North Devon hospital accomodation blocks under way

Work to demolish two former hospital accommodation blocks has started as part of a £22.7m project to redevelop the site.The North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple was given the money from the New Hospital Programme.The two buildings will be replaced with new housing which will provide 120 ensuite bedrooms, including four fully accessible family apartments and six single accessible ensuite rooms. Prof David Sanders, clinical director of surgery at the hospital, said "in order to attract staff and…

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Exeter City’s FA Cup tie with Wycombe Wanderers will go ahead after fire

Exeter City’s FA Cup tie with Wycombe Wanderers will go ahead after fire

Exeter City say their ground will be ready for their FA Cup second round tie with Wycombe Wanderers next month.Damage from a fire at St James Park last week has meant Saturday's League One game with Burton Albion has been postponed.The fire, which affected the stadium's control room and medical room, meant key safety systems were taken down and work to repair the damage is ongoing. "As disappointing as Saturday's game being postponed is, it does give us…

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