‘Emotional decision’ to close Weymouth pedalos and chalets

Beach chalets and pedalos at a popular seaside resort will not be making a return in 2026, following an "emotional decision" by the family that runs them.The facilities at Weymouth, Dorset, have been run by the same family since the early 1960s but they say the seasonal businesses has become increasingly unsustainable.Weymouth Town Council said the lease had been due to run until 2029 but councillors had agreed a request to end it early and would consider future…

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Ham Hill visitor centre on Iron Age fortress opens its doors

Chris LockyerSomerset, Ham Hill Country ParkBBCThe new visitor centre has been openedA new £2.5m visitor centre at what is thought to be the biggest Iron Age hillfort in the country has opened its doors.Based at Ham Hill Country Park near Yeovil in Somerset, the new site features a gallery, museum, cafe and shop.The centre, which was paid for using money from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Wolfson Foundation, will also host community education sessions with park…

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Swanage Mowlem theatre leaking roof repairs to start in new year

Work to fix the leaking roof of a seaside theatre is set to begin in January following a fundraising campaign.The Mowlem Theatre in Swanage, Dorset, started a six-week appeal in October to raise £10,000 to fix the flat roof.Executive director Kate McGregor said it had exceeded its target, with money donated from people all over the UK."It's galvanised the community and shown us how important the Mowlem is to residents and visitors," she said.The theatre said its programme…

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Fiddler crabs break down microplastics

Getty ImagesResearchers sampled 95 fiddler crabsA species of crab has been found to play an "unheralded role" in the breakdown of microplastic particles, according to scientists. The University of Exeter said scientists observed fiddler crabs in a polluted mangrove forest in Colombia ingest "large quantities of small plastic particles in the sediment". It said the species could break down plastics within days - but scientists warned of a potential release of harmful nanoplastics into their tissues and, consequently,…

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Man develops dog walking app in Devon after being made redundant

A man from Devon has turned losing his job into a dog walking adventure with a new app.When Christian Jones from Bideford adopted his Staffordshire terrier Bud, he wanted an app that would give him ideas for new walks and when he was made redundant in April 2025, he realised he could make his own.Mr Jones said: "The idea is that it has all the information which I find useful as a dog walker like livestock, for if…

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no further action after man injured

No further investigation will be carried out after a man suffered a broken leg when he was knocked over by a motorcyclist who police officers were trying to stop, the police watchdog has confirmed. Joe Hart was injured in a car park near Bournemouth seafront during a Dorset Police operation to prevent an illegal procession of motorbikes and e-bikes on 13 December. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed no independent investigation was required after Dorset Police…

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Gaza buildings bombed by Israel become refuge for Palestinians | Gaza News

Published On 23 Dec 202523 Dec 2025Click here to share on social mediashare2ShareThe Halawa family’s building still stands two storeys above the rubble in Gaza City, a rare survivor after two years of nonstop Israeli air attacks that levelled buildings across the besieged Palestinian enclave.One section has collapsed, with bent metal rods protruding from where a roof once existed. The family built a narrow set of creaking wooden steps to access their home, though these makeshift stairs threaten…

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‘Famous’ cat has his own book and is social media star

Anna DavisKnown as the Fonz of Frome, the popular cat has inspired a children's picture bookThe owner of a "very sociable" cat whose trips to shops and pubs have made him an online star, says he "cries like a baby" if he is kept inside.Anna Davis, from Frome in Somerset, said Frodo, 13, is so popular the ginger cat features in a kids' book, has his own charity Christmas card, and has been voted Frome's "purr-son of the…

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Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra plays Christmas music to shoppers

When you think of orchestral performances, you might picture musicians dressed in tuxedos on a grand stage, before rows of people in the audience. But the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is stepping away from the stereotype to bring its music into the community.Members have taken to a slightly smaller stage than they are used to, performing for Christmas shoppers at Boscombe's Sovereign shopping centre in Dorset.It is part of a community outreach programme to share its music with…

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Family fundraise for quiet room after son’s stay at Bath’s RUH

Georgia EadieWest of EnglandBBCBen spent a week at the Royal United Hospitals in Bath after his type 1 diabetes diagnosisThe parents of a seven-year-old boy who found his stay on a children's hospital ward "overwhelming" are fundraising for a new quiet room. Ben, from Wells in Somerset, spent a week at the Royal United Hospitals (RUH) in Bath after he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in April.Ben's family is aiming to raise £5,000 towards the development of…

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New urgent accommodation opens for young people in Devon

BBCAndy Fletcher said the charity gave him similar accommodation New homes have been created to help young people in need of urgent accommodation.YMCA Exeter said the new homes on Cliff Road in Paignton, Devon, would help people between the ages of 18 and 25 develop independent living skills.The charity said the homes were available to young local people who urgently needed to move on from higher supported accommodation and foster placements.Andy Fletcher used to be homeless and said…

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