Barnstaple writer of message in a bottle found in Denmark sought

A couple from Germany are looking for a child in Devon who wrote a message in a bottle, which they found washed up on a beach in Denmark. Barnstaple Town Council said the bottle had been found in Fjaltring, Denmark, and had been written by someone from Barnstaple. In a note to the council, the couple said they had been walking along the beach when they found the bottle - which may have been sent by a 12-year-old…

Continue ReadingBarnstaple writer of message in a bottle found in Denmark sought

Devon priest to undertake medieval themed pilgrimage for charity

Georgina BarnesSouth WestStuart HuntleyStuart Huntley hopes to raise awareness of mental health and lossA Devon priest is taking on a medieval themed pilgrimage in memory of his friend.Rev Stuart Huntley, an ordained Church of England priest and a historical re-enactor, said his two day walk would be done in full medieval attire for his friend Will who took his own life.The event will raise funds for suicide bereavement charity Pete's Dragons and 10 local churches along the route,…

Continue ReadingDevon priest to undertake medieval themed pilgrimage for charity

Young people’s climate change artwork exhibit opens in Devon

Young people have created artwork focused on climate change for an exhibition at a museum in Devon.The 'Earth Action North Devon: Explorers Create!' exhibition has opened at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon with support from local charity Earth Action North Devon.Students enrolled on the charity's Ocean Explorer education programme created sketches, and upcycled items and photographs after visiting inspiring locations including Croyde beach, Lee Bay and Chapel Wood.Alison Mills, director of the museum, said she hoped…

Continue ReadingYoung people’s climate change artwork exhibit opens in Devon

Devon and Cornwall church bells rung to mark centenary of ringing

BBCPeople are being invited to ring the bells to mark the anniversaryA "ringing and singing" event is set to take place in five bell towers across Devon and Cornwall to mark a centenary of ringing.The Devon Association of Ringers, alongside music charity Wren Music, said locals were invited to join the activities. In May, more than 100 bell towers were rung for the 100th anniversary.People visiting St Swithun's Church in Pyworthy, St. Paternus Church in North Petherwin and…

Continue ReadingDevon and Cornwall church bells rung to mark centenary of ringing

Exeter records sharp rise in homeless deaths, report says

PA MediaThe Museum of Homelessness recorded 21 deaths in Exeter during 2024A nationwide campaign group has identified a sharp rise in the number of homeless people who died in Exeter last year.The Museum of Homelessness recorded 21 deaths in the city during 2024, an increase on the eight recorded in each of the previous two years.A separate report by homelessness charity St Petrock's found 26% of its clients in the city last year were women but this had…

Continue ReadingExeter records sharp rise in homeless deaths, report says

Flames visible for miles from Dartmoor blaze

Fire crews were called to a large blaze on open moorland, with flames visible from miles away.The fire stretched about 490ft (150m) near the old shooting ranges at Rippon Tor on Dartmoor, said Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service which was called just after 21:00 BST on Thursday.Teams from Buckfastleigh, Ashburton and Bovey Tracey fire stations responded, supported by a water bowser from Torquay and an all-terrain vehicle from Exeter. Crews used wildfire beaters to contain the…

Continue ReadingFlames visible for miles from Dartmoor blaze

Cullompton motorcyclist dies after crash with car in Exeter

A motorcyclist in his 20s has died after a crash with a car in Exeter, police have confirmed.The rider, from Cullompton, collided with the car on Trusham Road, Marsh Barton, said the Devon and Cornwall force which was called at about 16:35 BST on Thursday.The motorcyclist sustained serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene where Trusham Road meets Marsh Green Road East, said officers. His next of kin have been informed.A woman in her 30s from…

Continue ReadingCullompton motorcyclist dies after crash with car in Exeter

Both Paignton and Newquay Zoos for sale, owner confirms

Wild Planet TrustGolden lion tamarins are among the endangered species at the zooJonathan MorrisSouth WestNewquay Zoo is on the market, its owner the charity Wild Planet Trust has confirmed, blaming financial difficulties.The announcement that the 13-acre (5-hectare) zoo, home to about 850 animals, is for sale follows confirmation that its sister attraction, Paignton Zoo in Devon, is also on the market.Stephen Kings, the trust's interim chief executive, said it wanted to "secure both zoos as thriving institutions".The news…

Continue ReadingBoth Paignton and Newquay Zoos for sale, owner confirms

‘App is helping my son face his fear of the dark’, says Devon mum

BBCGabi's son uses an NHS approved game which is designed to tackle childhood anxietyA mum says her son is learning to cope with anxieties including a fear of the dark with the help of a new NHS app.Gabi, from Exeter, said her seven-year-old son has complex needs, including autism and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), which mean he suffers from anxieties such as sleeping in the dark.But since he started using an NHS-approved game designed to tackle childhood…

Continue Reading‘App is helping my son face his fear of the dark’, says Devon mum

Road reopens after serious A38 crash in Devon

The A38 near Plymouth has reopened following a serious car crash.Devon and Cornwall Police said it was called to the crash near Plympton at about 15:00 BST.National Highways said the westbound carriageway was shut between the B3416 Plympton and the A374 Plymouth, with long delays of about 45 minutes. Diversion routes were in place.Police said injuries had been reported to officers but they were not thought to be life-changing or life-threatening. Source link

Continue ReadingRoad reopens after serious A38 crash in Devon

University maths schools are driving social mobility and success, analysis shows

University-sponsored maths sixth forms such as the Exeter Mathematics School are having a transformative impact on the lives of young people across England, a landmark new study shows. The independent evaluation by the Observatory for Mathematical Education (OME) finds the specialist schools boost attainment and progression and significantly widen participation in mathematics and STEM. The analysis shows female students, those from under-represented ethnic groups, and those from low socio-economic backgrounds all progress at higher rates to mathematically intensive…

Continue ReadingUniversity maths schools are driving social mobility and success, analysis shows