devon

‘Adorable’ endangered king colobus monkey born at Paignton Zoo

‘Adorable’ endangered king colobus monkey born at Paignton Zoo

A rare and endangered king colobus monkey has been born at a zoo.Paignton Zoo in Devon said the "adorable baby", believed to be a girl, was born on 22 October after her 14-year old mother, Lola, gave birth in the monkey heights exhibit.It said the species was classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the zoo was one of 13 facilities across the UK which housed the "incredibly rare" species.James Shora, mammals…

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Torquay United boss Paul Wotton praises side despite Hornchurch defeat

Torquay United boss Paul Wotton praises side despite Hornchurch defeat

Torquay United manager Paul Wotton praised his side's performance despite being beaten 2-1 at home by National League South leaders Hornchurch.Callum Dolan gave the Gulls an 11th-minute lead from the penalty spot after the Gulls forward had been fouled in the box.But Hornchurch drew level through a Henry Hearn penalty nine minutes later before Angelo Balenta scored what proved to be the winner three minutes after the break.Torquay created a host of openings after going behind but could…

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Retired banker completes 200th marathon in 200 days

Retired banker completes 200th marathon in 200 days

BBCSteve James finished his 200th marathon in 200 days in Topsham, where he began the challenge in AprilA 66-year-old man has completed 200 marathons in 200 days around the British coastline.Retired banker Steve James travelled 5,240 miles (8433km) since setting off from Topsham, Devon in April, and returned there to finish his challenge on Saturday.Researchers at the University of Exeter monitored the impact on his body throughout the journey.Mr James said: "I haven't had a day off in…

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66-year-old finishes 200th marathon in 200 days

A retired banker is now thought to be the first man over 60 to cover the entire coastline of mainland Britain on foot, after completing his 200th marathon in 200 days. Steve James, who celebrated his 66th birthday on the final leg of this journey, has spent the last seven months, completing the 5,240 miles along the British coast, finally ending this challenge in Topsham, Devon, where he began on 16 April. Steve, who lives and trained on…

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Snowdrops flower early at the Garden House in Devon

Snowdrops flower early at the Garden House in Devon

Snowdrops are flowering early at the Garden House near Yelverton, West Devon.The blooms appeared in October, weeks before their usual season, and experts said the early blooming was due to the UK's long, dry summer.Head gardener Nick Haworth explained that the plants were from hot southern European countries where autumn flowering is not unusual."We've got around 400 varieties of snowdrops at The Garden House and while it's not unusual to see the odd Mediterranean snowdrop popping its head…

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Teen honoured with memorial at new skatepark

Teen honoured with memorial at new skatepark

Alex Green,South West and John Ayres,In TotnesBBCTracey Swan, Max Hamilton's mother, was at the event at Totnes SkateparkThe mother of a teenager who died after he fell off his skateboard has welcomed the opening of a new skatepark in his hometown.Max Hamilton, 19, from Totnes, Devon, died in 2019 after he hit his head when he lost control of his skateboard on Greenbank Road in Plymouth.There is a memorial to him at the new skatepark, which was officially…

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Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler encourages postcard revival

Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler encourages postcard revival

Liam JacksonIllustrator Axel Scheffler said sending letters and postcards was "very important" to himThe Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler is encouraging children to send postcards and letters to their grandparents, parents and friends to stop the trend "dying out".Scheffler, who describes himself as an avid letter writer, said it was a great way of communicating and keeping in touch.The German illustrator, who has lived in England for more than 40 years, said "letters are very important for me".He recently…

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Cornish Pirates finding momentum, says joint-head coach Alan Paver

Cornish Pirates finding momentum, says joint-head coach Alan Paver

Cornish Pirates joint-head coach Alan Paver said the momentum from last weekend's first win of the season can help them take on unbeaten Championship high-flyers Caldy.Pirates' victory over London Scottish continued an upward arc following two narrow defeats and a draw to begin the season.Paver told BBC Radio Devon that it has not been the start to the campaign they expected: "We thought we were a little bit further on than we were, but reality kicked in after…

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Hundreds turn out to oppose Holsworthy mega solar farm plans

Hundreds turn out to oppose Holsworthy mega solar farm plans

Kirk EnglandSouth West environment and tourism correspondentBBCStephen Crowther, from the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is opposing the plansHundreds of people have attended a meeting in opposition to plans for one the UK's biggest solar farms.More than 200 residents packed into Holsworthy Memorial Hall in Devon earlier to hear concerns about the proposed 1,100 hectares (2,700 acres) Beacon Solar project.The Campaign to Protect Rural England's (CPRE) described the plans as "a market dash in favour of government policy",…

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New plans to carve Devon up into four unitary authorities

New plans to carve Devon up into four unitary authorities

Miles DavisDevon political reporterGetty ImagesA new plan has emerged to carve Devon up into four unitary authorities as part of local government reorganisationA new plan for Devon to be carved up into four unitary authorities has emerged.Under the government's massive shake up of local government, all district and county councils will be abolished so that one authority will run all council services in any one area.Plymouth, Torbay and Exeter have now revealed they are all working together on…

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Murder arrest in Truro after man, 23, found dead

Murder arrest in Truro after man, 23, found dead

A murder investigation has been launched after a 23-year-old man was found dead.Devon and Cornwall Police said officers were called to Polruan Road, Truro, at about 07:20 GMT on Wednesday after receiving a concern for welfare report at a property.The force said a man was pronounced dead at the scene and another 23-year-old man from Truro has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in custody.Police said it is believed the two men knew each other and…

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