Rough sleeping plan activated across south of England

Post published:January 2, 2026
Post category:BBC Dorset

Beds will be available for rough sleepers over the coming days with temperatures expected to remain below freezing at night.Many local authorities across the south of England have activated their Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP), which means free emergency accommodation is available to everyone.SWEP is activated when temperatures are set to fall below zero for at least three nights in a row and overnight lows could fall to -6C on Saturday morning."Those sleeping on the streets are at…

Man arrested after alleged NYE Glastonbury spiking

Post published:January 2, 2026
Post category:BBC Somerset

Getty ImagesFour people were taken to hospital and have since been dischargedA man has been arrested after four people were taken to hospital following an alleged spiking incident at a New Year's Eve event.Avon and Somerset Police said officers were called by paramedics who were treating several people who started feeling unwell at the event on the High Street in Glastonbury.Officers arrested a man at the scene on suspicion of administering a noxious substance and he remains in…

Opticians’ 10,000km sight loss charity race in Devon and Cornwall

Post published:January 2, 2026
Post category:Devon News
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Opticians are starting a challenge to run, walk and cycle 6,214 miles (10,000km) in 2026 - one kilometre for each person estimated to be living with sight loss across Devon and Cornwall.Optician Tom Mannering said: "This number has real meaning for us and sight loss impacts people on a daily basis."The extreme challenge is the brainchild of the team at Huxter and Davy Opticians which has branches in Kingsbridge, Torpoint, Looe, and Padstow, as a way of "giving…

Plan for 180 homes on ‘one of the best fields’ in county approved

Post published:January 2, 2026
Post category:BBC Somerset
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Daniel MumbyLocal Democracy Reporting ServiceGoogleCouncillor Philip Ham described the site as "one of the best fields in Somerset"Plans to build 180 homes on a field described by one councillor as "one of the best" in Somerset have been approved by the council.Persimmon Homes Wessex applied for outline permission to build on the eastern side of the A367 Fosseway South in Midsomer Norton in 2022 but the plans were refused due to "poor access to services" and over-development concerns.The…

Black ice in ‘many areas’ of Devon and Cornwall

Post published:January 2, 2026
Post category:Devon News
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Black ice has been reported in "many areas" of Devon and Cornwall, police have said.Two yellow weather warnings for ice have been issued by the Met Office for parts of the counties.The Met Office first issued a warning at 06:30 GMT to 10:00 on Friday and has issues a second between 18:00 on Friday and 10:00 on Saturday.A yellow weather warning for snow and ice has also been issued by the Met Office between 15:00 on Sunday and…

People evacuated after lorry crash leads to gas leak in Devon

Post published:January 2, 2026
Post category:Devon News
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People have been evacuated from homes and a road closed after a lorry crashed into a building, which resulted in a gas leak. Devon and Cornwall Police asked residents in Buckfastleigh, Devon, to shut windows and doors on Friday morning after a lorry hit the side of a building and a parked van at Higher Mill Lane. It said no injuries were reported and the lorry was recovered. Wales & West Utilities said a gas service pipe, supplying…

Baby girl injured during Plymouth New Year’s Day disturbance

Post published:January 2, 2026
Post category:Devon News
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A baby girl has been taken to hospital after being found with injuries in the early hours of New Year's Day, police said. Devon and Cornwall Police officers were called shortly after midnight to reports of a disturbance and altercation involving a group of people in the Mainstone Avenue and Elliot Road area of Prince Rock, Plymouth.The force said a two-month-old girl was taken to Bristol Children's Hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.An 18-year-old…

Senegal vs Sudan: AFCON 2025 – team news, start time and lineups | Africa Cup of Nations News

Post published:January 2, 2026
Post category:Al Jazeera
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Who: Senegal vs SudanWhat: CAF Africa Cup of NationsWhere: Ibn Batouta Stadium in TangierWhen: Saturday, January 3, 5pm (16:00 GMT)How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 13:00 GMT in advance of our text commentary stream.The AFCON round of 16 begins with a clash between the heavyweights and minnows, as title favourites Senegal face Sudan, the lowest-ranked side remaining in the competition.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listBoasting considerable attacking firepower in Nicolas Jackson and Sadio Mane,…

The charities collecting Christmas trees in Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire

Post published:January 2, 2026
Post category:BBC Somerset
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Jonathan HolmesWest of EnglandSt Margaret's HospiceThousands of Christmas trees will be collected in the coming weeksAs we start the new year, many of us will be looking to put 2025 behind us and have a fresh start.Part of this can involve de-Christmassing the house and saying goodbye to our trees - especially if they are looking a bit worse for wear. While many councils offer collections, another option involves registering for a charity to pick up and repurpose…

Glen Townson: Exeter appoint ex-Bristol coach to assistant forwards role

Post published:January 2, 2026
Post category:Devon News
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Prem Rugby side Exeter have appointed Glen Townson as their assistant forwards coach.The 39-year-old left his role as Bristol's academy transition coach earlier this week.Townson, who played for Bristol, Doncaster, Newcastle and Ealing, returned to Ashton Gate in 2022, having previously been Ealing's forwards and defence coach. "He's a very switched-on guy with good rugby experience both in the Prem and the Championship," Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter told the club website., external"He's already collated a good…

‘Half marathon returns’ and ‘rare eagle spotted’

Post published:January 2, 2026
Post category:BBC Somerset
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Sarah TurnnidgeWest of England Getty ImagesThe date for this year's Swindon Half Marathon has been announced Here is our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media.Our pick of local website storiesThe date for this year's Swindon Half Marathon has been confirmed, after the race returned to the town in 2025 following a six-year hiatus. The Swindon Advertiser reports the event will take place on 27 September.…

Teen has potentially life-changing injuries in Plymouth crash

Post published:January 2, 2026
Post category:Devon News

A teenager has potentially life-changing injuries after a motorcycle and car crashed, police have said.Devon and Cornwall Police said officers were called to Shallowford Road in Plymouth at about 10:15 GMT on Thursday. The force said the motorcycle rider, a man aged 17, suffered potentially life-changing injuries. It said a road closure was in place after the crash which involved a Royal Alloy motorcycle and an orange Ford Focus.Police have asked any witnesses to get in touch with…