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England v Argentina: Max Ojomoh in for Fraser Dingwall for hosts

England v Argentina: Max Ojomoh in for Fraser Dingwall for hosts

Bath centre Max Ojomoh has been handed his biggest Test chance yet after England lost Fraser Dingwall to a sidestrain for the Test with Argentina on Sunday.Ojomoh will form an all-new centre partnership with Henry Slade, who came in for the injured Ollie Lawrence when England originally named their team on Wednesday.Dingwall picked up his injury in last weekend's win over New Zealand and struggled to shake it off in training during the week."We told Max this morning,"…

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Exeter nightclub staff cleared after Freshers’ Week fall

Exeter nightclub staff cleared after Freshers’ Week fall

Miles DavisDevon political reporterBBCA University of Exeter student fell backwards down stairs at the Timepiece nightclub in ExeterSecurity staff at a nightclub acted correctly in dealing with a university student who fell backwards down stairs during Freshers' Week, a licensing committee has said.Lawyer David Dadds applied for a licensing review of the Timepiece nightclub in Exeter, Devon, and said door staff "failed to show basic care".Exeter City Council's licensing committee said it was "appropriate" to pick the woman…

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Family tribute to Penzance man who had ‘heart of gold’

Family tribute to Penzance man who had ‘heart of gold’

The family of a man whose death is at the centre of a murder investigation said he was "so lovable".Devon and Cornwall Police said Ison Alli from Penzance was found dead in a property in the Polruan Road area of Truro on 29 October.A tribute from his family said Mr Alli, who was 23, "had a heart of gold" and would "forever be our beautiful reason to believe in love that never fades".Police said a man from Truro…

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Devon gin maker fears further tax increase in Budget

Devon gin maker fears further tax increase in Budget

Miles DavisDevon political reporterBBCMick Skerratt from Exeter Gin runs a gin school as well as producing spiritsA gin producer and drinks maker is concerned the chancellor might increase tax on spirits again in the Budget.The previous Conservative government increased excise duty by more than 10% in August 2023 and Labour increased the tax by another 3.65% in 2024.Mick Skerratt from Exeter Gin said another increase in duty would be a tough blow to take at a time when…

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RSPCA warns of increase in abandoned pets in Devon and Cornwall

RSPCA warns of increase in abandoned pets in Devon and Cornwall

Caroline RobinsonSouth WestRSPCANova, who was found abandoned in Devon, suffered from severe malnutrition and cachexiaAn animal charity has warned of an increase of animal abandonment in the lead-up to winter.The RSPCA said animal abandonment cases in Devon had gone up by 14.9% so far this year, with 362 incidents logged by the end of October, compared with 315 last year.In Cornwall animal abandonment cases went up by 40.4%, with 205 incidents, compared with 146 last year, according to…

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Large holiday park in Portreath enters administration

Large holiday park in Portreath enters administration

The company that operates a large holiday park in Cornwall has gone into administration.Gwel an Mor in Portreath has dozens of holiday lodges along with facilities including indoor archery, a swimming pool, golf course, fishing lake and activity centre for children.Joint administrators were appointed to Cove Communities Venture 2 Gwel an Mor OpCo Ltd, its parent company Cove Communities Holiday Park UK, and three other subsidiaries, which operate 10 holiday parks between them, including Gwel an Mor.Administrator Adam…

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First Bus is to stop all its services in Cornwall from February

First Bus is to stop all its services in Cornwall from February

First BusThe bus operator said 275 jobs are at riskOne of the largest bus operators in Cornwall has announced plans to withdraw all its services due to rising costs and falling passenger numbers.First Bus is ending all 14 services by the middle of February 2026, putting 275 jobs at risk.It has a fleet of 85 buses and also plans to withdraw from its five depots at Camborne, Falmouth, Penzance, Summercourt and Truro.Managing director for First Bus South Simon…

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Demolition of North Devon hospital accomodation blocks under way

Demolition of North Devon hospital accomodation blocks under way

Work to demolish two former hospital accommodation blocks has started as part of a £22.7m project to redevelop the site.The North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple was given the money from the New Hospital Programme.The two buildings will be replaced with new housing which will provide 120 ensuite bedrooms, including four fully accessible family apartments and six single accessible ensuite rooms. Prof David Sanders, clinical director of surgery at the hospital, said "in order to attract staff and…

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Exeter City’s FA Cup tie with Wycombe Wanderers will go ahead after fire

Exeter City’s FA Cup tie with Wycombe Wanderers will go ahead after fire

Exeter City say their ground will be ready for their FA Cup second round tie with Wycombe Wanderers next month.Damage from a fire at St James Park last week has meant Saturday's League One game with Burton Albion has been postponed.The fire, which affected the stadium's control room and medical room, meant key safety systems were taken down and work to repair the damage is ongoing. "As disappointing as Saturday's game being postponed is, it does give us…

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Devon and Cornwall police chief putting more officers on the beat

Devon and Cornwall police chief putting more officers on the beat

A police chief has said he wants to "stabilise patrol numbers" by getting more than 100 additional officers on the beat.Devon and Cornwall chief constable James Vaughan said 121 officers were being added to patrol teams, with 71 officers joining existing patrol teams by the end of 2025, along with another 50 by the end of March.Mr Vaughan, who will address the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Panel meeting in Plymouth later, said the officers were new…

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Dorset Museum’s £3.5m race to save Sherborne almshouse triptych

Dorset Museum’s £3.5m race to save Sherborne almshouse triptych

St Johns' AlmshouseThe triptych had been sent to Sotheby's for safekeeping during renovationsA museum is in a race against time to raise £3.5m for an "exceptionally rare" triptych painting which is due to be auctioned in December.The piece, dating from the 15th Century, was valued by Sotheby's when it was moved for safekeeping during renovations at St Johns' Almshouse in Sherborne, Dorset.After discovering its value, the charity decided to sell the altarpiece to fund new accommodation for people…

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