news

Calls for traffic action to protect school children in Plymouth

Calls for traffic action to protect school children in Plymouth

Councillors have called for more protection for children following reports of illegal parking on double yellow lines and zigzags near schools.Councillor Chris Wood's motion asking Plymouth City Council for increased enforcement and a public awareness campaign to highlight the dangers of illegal parking was backed by all members.While he recognised enforcement was taking place, Wood said the situation outside many schools "remained unacceptable".The council has employed a dedicated enforcement officer to cover five schools in the Ham and…

Continue ReadingCalls for traffic action to protect school children in Plymouth

Man, 53, dies after van hits wall at Sidbury

Man, 53, dies after van hits wall at Sidbury

A 53-year-old van driver has died after his vehicle left the road and hit a wall, police have said.The crash happened on the A375 at Sidbury near Sidmouth in east Devon at about 14:30 GMT on Wednesday, the Devon and Cornwall force said.It said the driver, a local man, sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash and his next of kin had been informed.Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash which happened as the van…

Continue ReadingMan, 53, dies after van hits wall at Sidbury

Seafront darkness after fault and Christmas ‘dubs’ return

Seafront darkness after fault and Christmas ‘dubs’ return

BBCStreetlights on Burnham seafront have not been workingHere's 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 storiesOur top three from yesterdayWhat to watch on social media Source link

Continue ReadingSeafront darkness after fault and Christmas ‘dubs’ return

University of Exeter to support businesses in Somerset with new ‘Innovation Hub’

The University of Exeter is reaching into Somerset to support businesses and economic growth through the launch of a new Innovation Hub. The Somerset Innovation Hub, led by Exeter Innovation in collaboration with Somerset Council and SETsquared Bath, will help businesses across Somerset harness innovation, develop new products and services, and drive regional economic growth. From its base at the Firepool Centre for Digital Innovation in Taunton, the Innovation Hub will deliver a two-year programme of innovation services and events that support Somerset’s entrepreneurs, start-ups…

Continue ReadingUniversity of Exeter to support businesses in Somerset with new ‘Innovation Hub’

Wessex Cancer Support opens doors to bigger Bournemouth centre

Wessex Cancer Support opens doors to bigger Bournemouth centre

A charity offering support services for people with cancer and their loved ones has moved into larger premises to meet growing demand.Wessex Cancer Support fundraised to move from Hinton Road, Bournemouth - its base for the past 10 years - to create the new centre on Poole Hill.Steffi Colbert, centre manager, said: "This new centre enables us to further develop our support services, at a time when we know there are more people across our local communities who…

Continue ReadingWessex Cancer Support opens doors to bigger Bournemouth centre

Unique Nursing degree apprenticeship offers 15-month route to degree 

A unique new Degree Apprenticeship to upskill Nursing Associates to become Registered Nurses in 15 months is launching at the University of Exeter.   Subject to approval by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the earn-while-you-learn programme will blend work-based practice with flexible online and in-person learning, and will empower apprentices to advance their clinical and theoretical knowledge and achieve the high-level skills to progress to a registered nursing qualification, while continuing to care for patients  Exeter’s innovative approach has been developed with a strong focus on inclusivity and widening participation. Much of the learning will take place online,…

Continue ReadingUnique Nursing degree apprenticeship offers 15-month route to degree 

Frome para surfer finds ‘lifeline’ after two heart attacks

Frome para surfer finds ‘lifeline’ after two heart attacks

Jack Killah,SomersetandDawn Limbu,West of EnglandKay MillarKay Millar has her eyes set on becoming a para surfer with Team EnglandA woman who survived two heart attacks has said para surfing has become a "lifeline" as she sets her eyes on representing Team England.Kay Millar, 29, from Frome in Somerset, has limb-paralysis and arm weakness and has been in a wheelchair since the age of 12. Then last year she had two unexpected heart attacks.She said this led to her…

Continue ReadingFrome para surfer finds ‘lifeline’ after two heart attacks

Appeal for Somerset volunteers to offer young people lodgings

Appeal for Somerset volunteers to offer young people lodgings

BBCLeon, 18 and Pat, 76, were paired together on the scheme earlier this yearA scheme pairing young adults who have often been in care with people who have a spare room is looking for new volunteers.The Stepping Stones project, run by Somerset Council, provides homes for people aged 18 to 21 who are moving from care to adulthood.Leon, 18, and Pat, 76, were paired together in January 2025 and Leon said it's given him a lot of confidence…

Continue ReadingAppeal for Somerset volunteers to offer young people lodgings

GP practice opens in old supermarket in Helston

GP practice opens in old supermarket in Helston

A new health and wellbeing centre has opened inside a refurbished supermarket building that had been derelict for seven years. The building now houses Cober Valley Health in Helston, a GP practice which includes 19 consulting and treatment rooms and wellbeing rooms. There will be health and wellbeing coaches, including from mental health charity Pentreath, yoga classes and a community choir on site.Dr James Tait, GP partner and lead GP for the building project said: "I think it's…

Continue ReadingGP practice opens in old supermarket in Helston

Former land girl, 98, cycles 25 miles for Devon charity

Former land girl, 98, cycles 25 miles for Devon charity

BBCDorrie Pack completed the challenge at her local gymA 98-year-old former land girl has cycled 25 miles in a month for charity. Dorrie Pack, who joined the Land Army when she was 16 years old, set herself the goal at the beginning of November but completed the distance before the end of the month. She said she wanted to raise funds for the charity Hospicecare but could not decide what challenge to take on before settling on an…

Continue ReadingFormer land girl, 98, cycles 25 miles for Devon charity

How Devon composting groups are cutting down on waste

How Devon composting groups are cutting down on waste

BBCVolunteers working at the Marldon Community Composting site A council has launched an initiative to cut garden waste through composting.South Hams District Council in Devon said there were already eight community garden waste composting sites in the area but it wanted to encourage more.It has offered up match-funded grants worth up to £7,500 towards the cost of creating community composting sites, which allow people to recycle their green waste as well as providing compost to take home.Sustainable South…

Continue ReadingHow Devon composting groups are cutting down on waste

Chatty bench unveiled at Weymouth coastal beautyspot

Chatty bench unveiled at Weymouth coastal beautyspot

A specially created bench to encourage people to talk about their mental health has been installed at a Dorset coastal beauty spot.The so-called chatty bench, hand-painted by local artist Helena Chessher, was unveiled on the hillside at Bowleaze Cove near Weymouth.Passers by are encouraged to sit on the bench if they are open to having a conversation.Dorset Mind said the bench symbolised "hope, warmth, and togetherness".The Chatty Bench campaign, supported by the Dorset Tea company, forms part of…

Continue ReadingChatty bench unveiled at Weymouth coastal beautyspot