Rainbows have been wowing people on a day when heavy rain battered the South West. In Devon and Cornwall two weather warnings were cancelled on Thursday after Storm Benjamin was due to hit.Rainfall of 50mm (1.97in) or more had been expected in some areas of Devon and Cornwall.A rainbow is formed by the dispersion of light when it passes through a raindrop and it slows and changes direction, due to water being denser than air. Source link
Jonathan MorrisSouth WestDevon and Cornwall PoliceAlison Tilsley, 63, and former rugby player Alex Wood, 43, died in the incidentA care home has been ordered to pay more than £200,000 after two wheelchair users drowned and a third was seriously hurt when a leaking boat capsized during a day trip.Exeter Magistrates' Court heard Burdon Grange Care Home, near Beaworthy in Devon, failed to carry out basic safety checks before taking six residents to Roadford Lake, near Launceston, Cornwall, in…
PALorna England's family said they have a "permanent empty void" because they miss her so muchThe family of a woman who was murdered by a stranger in a park say they will "never come to terms with the death of such a wonderful lady".Lorna England, 74, was murdered as she walked home from a shopping errand through Ludwell Valley Park in Exeter in February 2023.Her family spoke after Philip Spinney, senior coroner for Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, concluded…
A former Royal Marine commando has won an award as part of a national platform which celebrates the achievements of the armed forces community.Plymouth-based triple amputee Mark Ormrod MBE won the 'Inspiration Award' at the Soldiering On Awards in London on Wednesday.Mr Ormrod, 42, lost both legs and his right arm when he stood on an improvised explosive device while on patrol in Afghanistan on Christmas Eve in 2007.When accepting the award, Mr Omrod said it was an…
Caroline Robinson,South West and Kirk England,South West environment and tourism correspondentBBCSouth West Water has never risen above a two star rating for environmental performanceSouth West Water (SWW) has been rated "red" for its environmental performance for the 14th year in a row, meaning it is "significantly below target", the Environment Agency has said.The company was given two stars out of a possible four in the annual Environmental Performance Assessment report for 2024.The agency said the water firm had…
Caroline RobinsonSouth WestThe Mare and Foal SanctuaryA foal with bright blue eyes was taken in as part of an operation to rescue 70 horsesSeventy rare-breed Icelandic horses and foals have been rescued in a 15-month welfare operation by animal charities.Public concerns were first raised in May 2024 about the herds of semi feral horses kept at several sites around Devon. The reports prompted a complex welfare operation by The Mare and Foal Sanctuary and RSPCA.The sanctuary said there…
Anna VarleSouth West home and social affairs correspondentBBCA campaign has been launched to reduce the number of fatal road traffic collisions among 17-24 year oldsA campaign has been launched to help reduce the number of fatal road traffic collisions involving 17 to 24 year-olds.Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service's Top 3 campaign highlights the three greatest risks young drivers face - passing driving tests with limited experience, driving late at night, and distractions from peers.Young male drivers…
Caroline RobinsonSouth WestBBCCh Insp Victoria Richards said there would be 180 police officers at the matchPolice have said they are prepared to deal with any disorder surrounding a Devon derby football match on Thursday. Ch Insp Victoria Richards of Devon and Cornwall Police said the sold out fixture at Exeter's St James Park was "medium risk" and a "highlight of the south west football calendar".She said: "A small minority of fans may be looking to cause some disorder…
Getty ImagesCornwall Council said residents had welcomed the scheme to deter cold callersA council has put up warning signs in two areas to help protect people from rogue traders and other doorstep criminals.Cornwall Council said so-called "No Cold Caller Zones" were being introduced in the Penwinnic Parc and Middlegates area of St Agnes.Residents have also been given stickers to put on their doors telling cold callers, individuals who make unsolicited sales pitches to houses, to "stay away", the…
A family said they were shown a lack of empathy by an airline following a bereavement. Sophie Taylor, from Chudleigh, Devon, purchased two tickets with Ryanair in October 2024 as part of a package holiday to Lanzarote for her mum Sharon Watkins' 60th birthday celebration. Sadly, her mother died in August, two months before the holiday was due to take place. When Ms Taylor requested to change the name on her mother's ticket to her father's name, she…
The public consultation on plans for a student accommodation and “co-living” complex in Heavitree Road has been extended to Sunday 9 November following revisions to the scheme.The application for full planning permission to build an 813-bed complex on the three-acre site of the former police station and magistrates court was submitted in May this year. 399 student bedrooms and 414 “co-living” bedspaces are proposed in seven blocks up to six storeys tall.The application has so far received 32…
Caroline RobinsonSouth WestMet OfficeA yellow weather warning for wind and rain has been issued for ThursdayHeavy rain and wind gusts up to 60mph (97 km/h) are forecast for the South West on Thursday due to Storm Benjamin. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly from 06:00 to 15:00 BST.It is also warning of heavy rain from 00:00 until 21:00 in Devon and Cornwall as Storm Benjamin,…