devon

‘Phenomenal year’ for The Box museum and art gallery in Plymouth

‘Phenomenal year’ for The Box museum and art gallery in Plymouth

A Devon museum and art gallery said 2025 had been a "phenomenal year" as it celebrated reaching 1.1 million visitors since opening five years ago.The Box, owned by Plymouth City Council, opened its doors during the Covid pandemic and has hosted more than 60 exhibitions.Cabinet member for culture, councillor Jemima Laing said she had never envisaged what a success it would be and how it had become the "heart of the city's cultural life", adding that she looked…

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Year in Review 2025: Devon and Cornwall events

Year in Review 2025: Devon and Cornwall events

Getty ImagesFlaming tar barrels were carried through streets of Ottery St Mary for Bonfire NightFlaming tar barrels, Newquay's Boardmasters festival and fireworks championships.We have highlighted six events that took place in Devon and Cornwall in 2025.Thousands flock to town for flaming tar barrelsIn a centuries-old tradition tar barrels are lit and carried on people's backs through the streets of Ottery St MaryYou can only take part as an adult if you have taken part as a child and…

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Traders in South Hams having to pay for staff parking fees

Traders in South Hams having to pay for staff parking fees

Bradley GerrardLocal Democracy Reporting Service & BBC News, DevonMadison OmanMadison Oman said nearly all her co-workers drive to work from outside the South HamsSmall business owners in South Devon have said higher parking charges are making it harder to recruit and retain staff, with some having to pay for their staff to be able to park.South Hams District Council had frozen parking charges for four years but decided to increase them in April.Some business owners in Kingsbridge, Salcombe…

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Berrow Adventure Farm temporarily reopens after fire

Berrow Adventure Farm temporarily reopens after fire

A family farm attraction has temporarily reopened after losing some of its animals in a fire.A building was destroyed and several animals were killed after a fire broke out at the family-owned Animal Farm Adventure Park in Berrow, near Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset in November. Describing the last few weeks as "the most difficult and devastating time", the park said it will now temporarily reopen until 6 January."Thank you for the wonderful support we have received the last few weeks,"…

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Plea to Exmoor dog walkers not to ‘decorate’ trees with poo bags

Plea to Exmoor dog walkers not to ‘decorate’ trees with poo bags

Cathy AlexanderWest of EnglandExmoor National Park AuthorityDog poo bags are often not biodegradable, park rangers sayRangers working for Exmoor National Park have asked dog walkers to treat trees with the same care as their Christmas trees at home, and not to "decorate" them with poo bags. While most dog owners are responsible, authorities in the park - which covers parts of Somerset and Devon - say a few pick up the dog poo and then hang the bag…

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South West Coast Path challenge is ‘magical’ and ‘mesmerising’

South West Coast Path challenge is ‘magical’ and ‘mesmerising’

Get Us Outside/Tasha ClarkTasha and Darren have completed the Dorset and south Devon sections of the South West Coast Path together and are now working on the Cornwall legsAvid walkers say they love the South West Coast Path for many reasons, from escapism, to its scenery, to meeting like-minded people.The path runs for 630 miles (1,013km), from Minehead on the edge of Exmoor to the shores of Poole Harbour, and many try to complete all sections.The route has…

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Tom Cleverley unhappy with Joe Ralls red card in Plymouth Argyle Reading loss

Tom Cleverley unhappy with Joe Ralls red card in Plymouth Argyle Reading loss

Plymouth Argyle boss Tom Cleverley insisted Joe Ralls should not have been sent off in his side's 4-1 Boxing Day loss to Reading.The midfielder was dismissed for denying a goalscoring opportunity after giving away a penalty in the 12th minute, which the Royals converted. Argyle's first home game on Boxing Day in nine years proved a tough watch for the Home Park faithful as Reading scored three times in six minutes to lead 3-0 before the midway point…

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Family ‘heartbroken’ as they name missing Devon swimmer

Family ‘heartbroken’ as they name missing Devon swimmer

Social mediaThe family of Matthew Upham have named him as one of the swimmers who went missing on Christmas DayThe family of one of two men who went missing during a Christmas Day swim say they are "heartbroken" at his disappearance. Emergency services had been searching the area after two men in their 60s and 40s went missing in the sea at Budleigh Salterton shortly after 10:25 GMT on Thursday. The coastguard search operation was called off at…

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Torquay United impress in 3-1 Weston-super-Mare win

Torquay United impress in 3-1 Weston-super-Mare win

Manager Paul Wotton says Torquay United have one of the best squads in National League South after his side's 3-1 win over promotion rivals Weston-super-Mare.Louis Dennis gave the Gulls a sixth-minute lead in front of more than 5,000 fans at Plainmoor. Matt Jay was on hand to make it 2-0 shortly before half-time as he fired in from close range after Sam Dreyer had headed on Jordan Young's cross. Charlie Cummins pulled a goal back for the visitors…

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Hundreds brave the sea for charity Christmas dip at Boscombe Pier

Hundreds brave the sea for charity Christmas dip at Boscombe Pier

Hundreds of hardy swimmers took to the sea for a charity Christmas dip on the coast that has raised about £20,000.About 1,200 people are thought to have safely taken part of the annual White Christmas Dip, which is held for Macmillan Caring Locally, at Boscombe Pier in Bournemouth, Dorset.The event began in 2008, when a family decided to wear fancy dress while joining a local swimming club's Christmas morning dip, and has since become one of the UK's…

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Cornwall police bus patrols to combat “predatory behaviour”

Cornwall police bus patrols to combat “predatory behaviour”

Plain clothes police officers are to be stationed on buses in the new year to help tackle anti-social behaviour.Patrols will be carried out in south east Cornwall, with officers on the lookout for passengers who make others uncomfortable with repeat or unwanted attention, or who are acting drunk and disorderly.Similar operations have been carried out in Saltash, Looe, and Torpoint. Devon and Cornwall Police said previous patrols had been "very positive" but that it was aware "predatory or…

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New surgery facilities planned at Exeter hospital

New surgery facilities planned at Exeter hospital

A new day surgery centre for children and adults is planned in an expansion of a city centre hospital.New operating theatres and recovery areas could be built at the site in the Heavitree area of Exeter, which is part of the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (RD&E).A planning application has been made for the site with buildings which will overlook the neighbouring Waitrose store.The RD&E said it had secured a £20m commitment from NHS England to create a…

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