Devon tourism chiefs say chancellor needs to offer them hope

Post published:November 25, 2025
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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…

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

Post published:November 25, 2025
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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…

Ernie and the Sea of Ice

Post published:November 25, 2025
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Ernie and the Sea of Ice - Exeter ObserverDemocracy doesn't work when people don't know Upgrade to paidEO Exeter Observer Local news that matters ON OUR RADARQuirk Theatre presents a festive family-friendly adventure set in the snowy South Pole.Leigh CurtisQuirk Theatre is bringing a festive family-friendly adventure set in the snowy South Pole to Exeter Phoenix from 14 to 28 December.Ernie and the Sea of Ice follows a voyage through Antarctica by a group of adventurers in the…

South West minerals have ‘huge amount to offer UK’

Post published:November 25, 2025
Post category:BBC Cornwall
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George Thorpe,South WestandSeb Noble,Cornwall political reporterBBCIndustry Minister Chris McDonald said the critical minerals industry to offer a lot of value to the South WestMinerals from the South West could play a big part in a strategy to reduce the UK's reliance on using foreign material, the government says.Industry Minister Chris McDonald visited Cornwall to launch the Critical Minerals Strategy, which aims to produce 10% of the UK's mineral needs domestically, along with a further 20% through recycling products…

Devon man loses finger 13 years after black widow spider bite

Post published:November 25, 2025
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Dan CheethamDan Cheetham says his blood was "almost like plasticine" after the biteA former Royal Marine has had a finger amputated, 13 years after being bitten by a black widow spider. Plymstock resident Dan Cheetham, 41, suffered the venomous bite on his right hand in 2012 while in the middle of the Mojave Desert in California during a training exercise. Mr Cheetham, originally from Wrexham, said he was taken to hospital via a 14-minute helicopter ride at the…

Exeter is for Everyone event counters anti-migrant city centre march

Post published:November 25, 2025
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An Exeter is for Everyone rally and march took place in Exeter city centre on Saturday, countering a simultaneous anti-migrant march organised by British Unity nationalists which took place nearby.Exeter is for Everyone organisers estimated that between 1,200 and 1,500 people had participated in the event on Saturday, corresponding with an independent count conducted by Exeter Observer.Estimates of British Unity march attendee numbers varied from 100-120, also corresponding with an independent Exeter Observer count.Saturday’s protests came just four…

Bodmin crematorium staff ‘hurting’ after £50k of equipment stolen

Post published:November 25, 2025
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Crematorium bosses say thefts have left staff distraught and having to deal with complaints about the state of the site.Bodmin's Glynn Valley Crematorium was targeted by burglars on separate occasions in May and June with about £50,000 worth of gardening equipment stolen from the 10-acre (40,470 sq m) site.Business manager Karen Stewart said staff had been forced to transport their equipment to a separate storage unit off-site and had issues maintaining the crematorium, leading to complaints from grieving…

Promise of new £1.1m Exeter quayside bridge disappears

Post published:November 25, 2025
Post category:Devon News
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Miles DavisDevon political reporterBBCHeather Baker from Saddles and Paddles says the missing bridge is a key part of the jigsaw for riverside routesThe promise of a new £1.1m bridge for the quayside in Exeter has evaporated.One business owner had said the bridge was vital to connect riverside walkways and cycle paths in the city and around its historic quayside.Devon County Council had said it would construct a new bridge with a £1.1m grant from Active Travel England to…

Biker in hospital with life-changing injuries after Devon crash

Post published:November 25, 2025
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A biker has suffered life-changing injuries after a serious crash in Devon. Devon and Cornwall Police said it was called to Post Hill, Tiverton at about 00:10 GMT on Sunday after a KTM 125CC black and orange motorcycle hit a telegraph pole. The force said the rider, a man in his 20s, suffered serious injuries and was taken to Derriford Hospital. His next of kin are aware. Police said local road closures were put in place and officers…

Stroke survivors invited to join new rehabilitation study using gaming technology

Post published:November 25, 2025
Post category:Exeter Uni News
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A new study is inviting stroke survivors with limited movement to take part in research that has turned rehabilitation exercises into a fun online game. The University of Exeter study is exploring whether game-based exercises can help people regain movement and confidence at home, even several years after a stroke. Stroke affects around 100,000 people in the UK every year, and more than 1.2 million people are living with its effects. About 70 per cent of them are left with upper limb impairments. While rehabilitation is known to improve…

Devon project using online games to help stroke recovery

Post published:November 25, 2025
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Andrea OrmsbyandBriohny Williams,South WestBBCBernie Kielty said the project "showed me I could live again"A stroke survivor says he has gained more strength and independence with help from a research project at the University of Exeter.Bernie Kielty, 74, from Whimple, Devon, has worked with academics for over a year using a bespoke online game to improve his mobility after a stroke six years ago left him unable to "use anything on my left-hand side". The university research is exploring…

Devon man faces no further police action after fatal house fire

Post published:November 24, 2025
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A man arrested in connection with a fatal property fire will face no further police action, a force has said.A murder investigation was launched into a fire at a terraced house on Honestone Street in Bideford on 28 October and a number of arrests were made.A man in his 30s, from Bideford, was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and was released on police bail. Devon and Cornwall Police said following an extensive investigation,…