county news

Chile snowstorm survivor says they had to help themselves

Chile snowstorm survivor says they had to help themselves

George Thorpe and Angela Kalwaites,South WestBBCChristian Aldridge said staff at the park did not take requests for help seriouslySurvivors of a snowstorm in Patagonia which killed five people including a British woman have said local authorities did not offer enough help.Victoria Bond, 40, from Cornwall, was among those killed in the tourist hotspot of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.Christian Aldridge, who was part of the hiking group, said they had to organise their own rescue party…

Continue ReadingChile snowstorm survivor says they had to help themselves

Dunball roundabout reopens to ease Bridgwater’s traffic

Dunball roundabout reopens to ease Bridgwater’s traffic

An upgraded roundabout which caused months of traffic delays has been reopened after a full year of works.The £10.7m project at the Dunball roundabout in Bridgwater, Somerset, which links junction 23 of the M5 to the town, started in November 2024.A year later, it has reopened and Somerset Council said its teams would stay on site over the next few weeks to ensure the junction works.The council added: "[It] has been delivered on time and on budget. We're…

Continue ReadingDunball roundabout reopens to ease Bridgwater’s traffic

Pancreatic Cancer warning as family ‘blindsided’ by man’s death

Pancreatic Cancer warning as family ‘blindsided’ by man’s death

Beth CruseWest of EnglandEmmie KayEmmie Kay said she had just six days with her grandad after his diagnosisA woman says she was left "blindsided" when her grandad died from cancer just six days after his diagnosis.Emmie Kay, from Bridgwater in Somerset, has shared her story ahead of taking on a 100km (62-mile) challenge to raise funds for Pancreatic Cancer UK.Ms Kay said her grandad Jim seemed to be in good health before his diagnosis, but he died just…

Continue ReadingPancreatic Cancer warning as family ‘blindsided’ by man’s death

Glastonbury mural gives 94-year-old woman ‘dream garden’

Glastonbury mural gives 94-year-old woman ‘dream garden’

A 94-year-old woman says a huge mural painted on the side of her house gives her a "dream garden" that she "doesn't need to look after".Muriel Baker, from Meare near Glastonbury in Somerset, had her wall transformed into a countryside scene.She cannot manage the weeding or watering needed for a garden, but this option lets her feel as though she's sitting in one while enjoying a coffee or tea, she added.It is the second mural she has had…

Continue ReadingGlastonbury mural gives 94-year-old woman ‘dream garden’

New ice warning for Cornwall as snow falls across South West

New ice warning for Cornwall as snow falls across South West

Princetown Primary Community SchoolGritters have been out overnight as snowfall has been reported at locations across the South WestA new weather warning for ice has been issued for Cornwall, as both the county and parts of Devon were hit by snow and ice.Devon County Council said Princetown Community Primary School was shut due to low staff numbers as a result of the weather conditions.Callywith College in Cornwall said "no lessons" would take place and buses had been suspended…

Continue ReadingNew ice warning for Cornwall as snow falls across South West

Bradley Ibrahim: Plymouth Argyle midfielder ‘out for months’ after ankle injury

Bradley Ibrahim: Plymouth Argyle midfielder ‘out for months’ after ankle injury

Plymouth Argyle midfielder Bradley Ibrahim will be out "for months" after suffering a "significant ankle injury".The 21-year-old summer signing from Hertha Berlin has been one of the bright spots in a difficult season for the Pilgrims.He has played 18 times for the club, scoring six goals after joining for an undisclosed fee in June."It was a freak incident where his studs have got caught in the ground and he received a contact," head coach Tom Cleverley told BBC…

Continue ReadingBradley Ibrahim: Plymouth Argyle midfielder ‘out for months’ after ankle injury

Car decked out in Christmas lights in Poole prompts police warning

Car decked out in Christmas lights in Poole prompts police warning

Police have warned drivers not to let festive sparkle blind them to road safety after pulling over a car decked out with Christmas lights.Officers from Poole in Dorset spotted the vehicle while out on patrol and posted a warning to motorists on Facebook. "The driver was stopped and given words of advice about the traffic offences he was committing and also reminded about the seriousness of celebrating Christmas before December," the post said. "Displaying red light to the…

Continue ReadingCar decked out in Christmas lights in Poole prompts police warning

Chile snowstorm deaths ‘deeply regrettable’, park bosses say

Chile snowstorm deaths ‘deeply regrettable’, park bosses say

Visit Isles of ScillyVictoria Bond was killed along with four others in the stormThe deaths of five tourists in a snowstorm in Patagonia have been described as a "deeply regrettable tragedy" by national park bosses.Victoria Bond, 40, a public relations consultant from Cornwall, was named by Chilean authorities as among those killed in the tourist hotspot of Torres del Paine National Park.Two German and two Mexican citizens also died in the snowstorm, according to Jose Antonio Ruiz -…

Continue ReadingChile snowstorm deaths ‘deeply regrettable’, park bosses say

‘Shivering’ rare corncrake bird rescued on cruise ship

‘Shivering’ rare corncrake bird rescued on cruise ship

Indy Almroth-WrightSouth of EnglandCharlene HalseyThe little bird was spotted sheltering from the rain on the 16th deck of the shipA rare bird endangered across the UK has been rescued after taking shelter from heavy rain on a cruise ship. The corncrake, an RSPB red-listed bird, was spotted on the 16th deck of Sky Princess by passenger Charlene Halsey and her daughters "shivering" under the step of a hot tub as it travelled to Portland, Dorset.After regularly checking on…

Continue Reading‘Shivering’ rare corncrake bird rescued on cruise ship

Christchurch School warns parents of anti-social behaviour

Christchurch School warns parents of anti-social behaviour

A school has warned parents about a group of young people causing disruption, threatening members of the public and allegations of dealing drugs.Twynham School in Christchurch, Dorset, is encouraging parents to "keep a close eye for any changes in behaviour or routine" in their children.The individuals gathering outside the school are not students and have been seen wearing hoods and facemasks, the school said.Dorset Police said it was aware of reports, as well as others in the wider…

Continue ReadingChristchurch School warns parents of anti-social behaviour