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Police dogs, drones and fire crews return for huge Tavistock family day

Devon and Cornwall Police
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Police dogs, drones and fire crews return for huge Tavistock family day

Following the successful launch last year, Tavistock’s multi-agency day will return on 20 June 2026, bringing together specialist services and partner organisations who work together to keep West Devon communities safe.

Organised by Tavistock-based Police Community Support Officer, Debbie Hollinson, the multi-agency event will bring together emergency services, local organisations and charities for a day designed to be entertaining and informative for all ages.

The multi-agency day will take place on Saturday 20 June, from 10:00 to 16:00, in Bedford Square and the Guildhall Car Park.

Visitors will be able to meet police officers and specialist units, including police drone pilots, the police dive team and the police dogs, as well as Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, South Western Ambulance Service, Dartmoor Search and Rescue and Dartmoor National Park Rangers.

Interactive attractions will include a knife arch and facial recognition CCTV, giving people a closer look at modern policing technology. Police cadets will also be on hand to answer questions and engage with younger visitors.

PCSO Debbie Hollinson said the event aims to shine a light on the work often carried out behind the scenes. She said “We have created a community day which is inclusive, fun, interactive and educational, providing something of interest for all ages… and we hope it will become an annual event.

“We have some truly fantastic partnerships in West Devon; working closely with people who do valuable work behind the scenes, which often goes unnoticed or unappreciated.

“This event is a chance for members of the public to meet the inspiring people who work to keep us safe, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.” 

Visitors can also learn more about the work of South West Blood Bikes – a charity run entirely by volunteers, providing a free, out of hours transportation service to hospitals and hospices, delivering essential medical supplies such as blood, plasma, platelets and pathology samples – and meet Street Pastors, who offer assistance, prayers and support to those who need it, particularly when an evening might not have gone to plan.

Representatives from the South Devon and Dartmoor Community Safety Partnership will also be in attendance on the day. They work with the police, council, NHS, HM prison and Youth Justice services to make our communities even safer places to live, work and enjoy.

Plan your visit:

There are several car parks located within walking distance of the event. They include the Bedford and Wharf carparks on Canal Road, Riverside car park on Pixon Lane, Russell Street, Bank Square carpark on Market Street and the multi-storey car park on Brook Street.

Public toilets can be found next to the Guildhall car park, at Bedford car park, at the bus station and at Bedford carpark on Canal Road. For updates about the event, please follow the Tavistock Neighbourhood Policing team on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TavistockPolice

‘Off-the-scale’ E. coli warning sparks bid for major Teign water testing project

Lewis Clarke
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‘Off-the-scale’ E. coli warning sparks bid for major Teign water testing project

A claim that E. coli levels in a Teign estuary watercourse were once so high they were “off the scale” has prompted a local environmental charity to seek funding for an extensive summer water testing programme.

Joanne Stark, trustee of Friends of the River Teign, told members of Teignmouth’s Finance and Resources Committee that the group was seeking a £2,000 grant to help fund daily water quality testing throughout August.

The charity plans to take water samples every day for a month at four locations around the Teign estuary, including Teignmouth’s Front Beach and Back Beach, with results available within minutes rather than days.

Speaking to councillors, Joanne said the project would help provide reassurance to residents, swimmers and visitors during the busiest part of the tourism season.

She said concerns over water quality were already having an impact on people’s perceptions of the area.

Joanne told the committee that after a recent pollution incident she received calls from holidaymakers wanting to know whether it was safe to enter the water.

She said: “We would love to be able to tell people it is safe because we all know, all the people who live here know, that actually it is safe most of the time.”

Friends of the River Teign was established almost two years ago to advocate for the river from its source to its mouth and has since been involved in environmental projects and scientific research.

Explaining the need for more frequent testing, Joanne highlighted an incident during Teignmouth Carnival when heavy rainfall caused a dramatic spike in contamination levels.

She said: “The E. coli that came out of Bitton Brook was off the scale. The Environment Agency could not actually read it. It was too high.”

Joanne said water quality could vary considerably depending on weather conditions and argued that more regular testing would provide a better understanding of what was happening across the estuary.

The proposed project would see around 124 samples taken during August, compared with the 12 to 15 tests that might typically be carried out by the Environment Agency over a similar period.

The charity plans to test for a range of organisms and pollutants, including Vibrio bacteria, while DNA analysis would also be used to help identify whether contamination came from human or agricultural sources.

Joanne said the organisation had already raised £800 itself and secured a further £1,000 through other grants.

Councillors asked whether the scale of the project could place pressure on volunteers, particularly as samples would need to be collected every day.

Joanne said volunteers had already come forward to help and insisted no samples would be missed.

She said: “We will not miss a day because if we miss a day, we are going to mess it up.”

The group intends to take samples from the same locations at the same time each day to ensure consistency.

One councillor asked where the results would be published.

Joanne said the charity would take a cautious approach to releasing its findings because of the potential impact on local businesses and tourism.

She said: “Our aim is to inform the public without causing unnecessary alarm.”

Initial findings will be shared with Friends of the River Teign before wider publication following analysis of the data collected during the August testing programme.

Village pub couple call last orders on Kings Arms chapter after heartfelt decision

Devon Today
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Village pub couple call last orders on Kings Arms chapter after heartfelt decision

A village pub is set for a changing of the guard after the couple behind it announced they will be stepping away from life behind the bar.

Carolyn and Woody, who run The Kings Arms in South Zeal, said they had made the “difficult decision” to leave the pub at the end of January 2027.

They said they were sharing the news now, in June, so existing bookings could go ahead as planned and to allow time to find “the right new custodians” for the pub.

In a statement, they said: “It’s with a heavy heart that we share some news with you all.

“After much thought, we have made the difficult decision that we will be leaving The Kings Arms at the end of January 2027.”

They added: “The Kings Arms is a fantastic pub — full of life, character, and incredible support from this community.

“That’s exactly why we want to do this properly, giving it the best chance to continue thriving long after we’ve gone.”

Carolyn and Woody said the decision had not been easy, describing both the positives and challenges of raising their sons at the pub.

They said: “There are so many positives to bringing up our boys here — the community, the sense of belonging, the endless supply of chocolate!

“But there are challenges too: interrupted bedtimes, cancelled plans, missed weekends, and the constant difficulty of stepping away or planning time as a family.

“We feel the time is right to experience a more ‘normal’ family life while the boys are still young.”

The couple said they would miss being at the heart of village life, including “the chats, the laughter, the busy nights” and helping out where they could.

They said: “We’ve had a fantastic run, and we’re incredibly grateful for all the support you’ve shown us over the years, as staff, customers, friends and family.”

They said they would support and encourage new tenants over the coming months to help ensure The Kings Arms continues.

For now, the couple said it would remain “very much business as usual”.

They added: “We look forward to many more great times together before we say goodbye.”

Motorcyclist seriously hurt after crash with van near Dawlish

Devon and Cornwall Police
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Motorcyclist seriously hurt after crash with van near Dawlish

We are investigating a serious road traffic collision near Dawlish on Monday 1 June and are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

Officers were called at 7.05am to a two-vehicle road traffic collision on Colley Lane near Dawlish.

The incident involved a white Ford Transit van and a black Honda motorcycle.

The rider of the bike, a man in his 40s, sustained serious injuries as a result of the collision.

He was taken to hospital for treatment. His injuries were not thought to be life threatening or life changing.

The driver of the van was not injured.

Police and the ambulance service attended the scene, and the road was closed whilst an investigation took place. It was reopened at around 11.30am.

Officers would ask that if anyone witnessed the collision or has any CCTV or dashcam footage, to kindly contact them via the force website or by calling 101, quoting log 97 of 1/6/26.

Blaze tears through derelict barn as fire crews battle overnight inferno

Devon Today
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Blaze tears through derelict barn as fire crews battle overnight inferno

A derelict barn was completely destroyed after a major overnight fire which firefighters believe was started deliberately.

Fire crews were called to the blaze near Chudleigh late on Tuesday, June 2, after Fire Control received multiple reports of a building on fire.

Appliances from Bovey Tracey, Ashburton and Middlemoor were mobilised to the scene, where firefighters found a building measuring approximately 10 metres by 20 metres well alight.

During the incident, crews used hose reel jets and larger firefighting jets to tackle the flames and prevent the fire spreading.

At 11.03pm, firefighters requested the attendance of National Grid to isolate the electricity supply to the property.

By 11.11pm, the building, believed to have been used as a barn or shed, remained well alight. Firefighters wearing respiratory protection continued to tackle the blaze.

National Grid arrived at the scene at 11.30pm and confirmed at 12.16am on Wednesday, June 3, that the electricity supply had been isolated.

Firefighters continued working through the night, using water from a nearby hydrant to contain and extinguish the fire.

The fire was extinguished at 1.31am. Crews used two hose reel jets, two 51mm jets, gas monitors and water from a local hydrant during the operation.

The building sustained 100 per cent damage in the fire.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the cause of the fire is believed to be deliberate.

Major emergency response after helicopter comes down near A30

Devon and Cornwall Police
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Major emergency response after helicopter comes down near A30

0Emergency services are at the scene after a crash involving a helicopter in a field at Sourton Down.

Several road closures are in place around the A386 and A30 Sourton Cross slip and services area.

The incident is ongoing and we will share more updates as we have them.

Devon mum’s warning after tick bite leads to years of devastating illness

Devon Today
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Devon mum’s warning after tick bite leads to years of devastating illness

A mother has warned families to take ticks seriously after she and her son were both left battling the effects of Lyme disease following bites in Devon.

Oli Marshall said she was bitten on the abdomen by an infected tick six years ago after spending a day with her family in Kingswear woods.

She said she did not see or feel the bite at the time, but two weeks later began feeling unwell with flu-like symptoms before noticing a bullseye-style rash.

Oli contacted her GP the next day after the rash grew and was immediately put on antibiotics. A test later confirmed Lyme disease.

She said her symptoms included fever, chills, exhaustion, joint and muscle pain, shooting pain in her leg, headaches, a stiff neck, pins and needles, numbness, dizziness and confusion.

Bullseye-style rash after Oli Marshall was bitten by an infected tick.

Despite treatment, Oli said her condition worsened and she was later taken to hospital after struggling to walk, think or talk.

She said: “Today, I still live with daily debilitating symptoms of this dreaded illness.

“Exhaustion, body weakness, dizziness, heart palpitations, newly developed anxiety and depression, pain in joints and muscles, confusion, memory loss, dementia-like symptoms are only few to list.

“Lyme does not affect only myself, but my family too.”

Oli said her son was then bitten by an infected tick in May 2025 after playing a football match in Dawlish.

She said the tick was removed immediately, but he later became unwell with similar symptoms before developing a rash that was not the typical bullseye pattern.

He also developed partial Bell’s palsy, with one side of his mouth paralysed for around six weeks.

Oli said: “Please remember that the rash can look different in shape and on a different skin tone.”

She has urged people to use tick repellent, carry tick twisters and regularly check themselves, children and pets after being outdoors.

She said people should check areas including armpits, behind the knees and ears, the hairline, scalp, groin, between toes, waistline and bellybutton.

Tick bite after Oli Marshall’s son was bitten following a football match.

Oli added: “Please, do not use Vaseline, burn the tick, pull it with your fingers or use ordinary tweezers for plucking hair.

“Removing the tick correctly can prevent bacteria from going into your body.”

She also advised people to wear long sleeves and light-coloured clothing, tuck trousers into socks, avoid long grass, stay on pathways and check again in the days after being outdoors because ticks can be as small as poppy seeds.

More information is available from Lyme Disease UK.

Occombe Farm set for dramatic comeback under major new plans

Torbay Council
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Occombe Farm set for dramatic comeback under major new plans

A report recommending the sale of Occombe Farm along with land laying north of Preston Down Road (Paignton) to Greendale SPV 1 Limited (Greendale) has been submitted to Torbay Council’s Cabinet for their consideration.

Torbay Council, along with SWISCo, resumed management of the Occombe Farm site and the neighbouring land following the liquidation of the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust in December 2025 and the site has remained vacant whilst long term options are considered.

If approved at next week’s Cabinet meeting, the sale would enable Greendale to reopen Occombe Farm and bring forward a detailed proposal to enhance the site to offer a range of leisure and retail facilities for the community. These plans would be supported by a significant programme of planned investment over the coming years.  

They would also take on the management of the associated farm and woodland areas including the day-to-day management of those protected under the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSi) designation.

Greendale already run a successful business in the Exeter area with a farm shop, café, and family-friendly events, and are active in the Bay through their partnership with sister company Waterdance Ltd who have a fleet operating from Brixham Harbour. 

Their vision for the Occombe Farm site includes the return of much-loved features such as the farm shop and café, with an aim to also reintroduce the indoor play area in future as well. The farm shop and café would operate on a sustainable model that champions locally sourced food and produce, supporting local businesses, stimulating economic growth and minimising the carbon footprint.

It would also see the wider land and buildings developed to include indoor sports courts, providing new health and sports facilities and helping to promote wellness within Torbay’s community.

In the longer-term and subject to planning permission, they would also plan to develop some of the wider land to create a glamping holiday retreat, helping to attract visitors to the area and further support the local business community.

More information will be available in due course, subject to the decision from Cabinet, and the completion of any relevant legal processes.

Councillor Chris Lewis, Torbay Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Place Development and Economic Growth, said:

“Occombe Farm was a much-loved part of Torbay’s heritage for many years and has been greatly missed since its closure. We are committed to securing a sustainable, community-focused future for the site. Appointing a single operator with a proven track record in Devon, such as Greendale, will help us deliver that vision for our people and our place.

“Our priority is to make Torbay a happy, healthy and prosperous place, where our residents and local businesses can thrive, and Greendale’s vision for Occombe Farm aligns closely with this ambition. Their proposals will not only enhance leisure opportunities for our community but also provide a significant boost to the local economy, with the potential to create up to 200 jobs for local people.”

The proposals will be considered by our Cabinet on Tuesday 9 June. To read the full report and find out more about how to access the Cabinet meeting, please visit our website.

Plymouth developer digs deep again with £2,500 boost for hospice care

Devon Today
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Plymouth developer digs deep again with £2,500 boost for hospice care

A Plymouth housebuilder has strengthened its backing for a local hospice with another donation, helping to support specialist end-of-life care for patients and families across the region.

Persimmon Homes Cornwall & West Devon has donated £2,500 to St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth, continuing a relationship that has seen the developer contribute funding to the charity on several occasions. The latest donation follows a £1,000 contribution in 2024 and a further £1,000 boost to a runner’s fundraising challenge last year.

The cheque was presented to the hospice in the presence of Plymouth’s Lord Mayor, Cllr Kathy Watkin, and Cllr Daniel Steel, who represents the ward where the hospice’s specialist unit is based.

For more than 40 years, St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth has provided specialist end-of-life care and support to people across Plymouth, south west Devon and east Cornwall, both in patients’ homes and at its Turnchapel facility. The hospice supports adults aged over 18 living with serious illnesses including cancer, motor neurone disease, heart failure, multiple sclerosis and chronic lung disease.

Its teams of doctors, nurses, occupational therapists and social workers work alongside other healthcare professionals, including staff at Derriford Hospital and Livewell Southwest, as part of integrated care services in Devon.

Persimmon Homes is currently building the Saltram Meadow development in Plymstock. The developer recently secured planning permission for the next two phases of the scheme, which could eventually comprise up to 1,684 homes.

Jane Cartwright, sales director for Persimmon Homes Cornwall & West Devon, said: “Persimmon is pleased to continue supporting St Luke’s, whether through fundraising, backing this summer’s Guiding Lights art trail and auction, or opening our show homes for photoshoots with their nurses to help raise awareness that most hospice care takes place in people’s homes.

“As a proud Plymouth housebuilder – with sites in Plymstock and Derriford – we strongly believe in supporting the work of this valued local charity.”

Sarah Wallis, partnership lead at St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth, said: “Persimmon’s continued support means a great deal to us.

“Their kindness, shown not just once but over time, helps ensure more families in our community receive the care and support they need at the most difficult moments in their lives.

“We are truly grateful for their commitment to St Luke’s and to the people we provide care for.”

Cllr Watkin said: “St Lukes is based in Plymstock but does wonderful work all over the city and is one of the charities supported by me as Lord Mayor.

“It is great that Persimmon who are building the Saltram Meadow Estate Plymstock are supporting such a worthy charity. The gift will be much appreciated and well used.”

Cllr Steel added: “St Luke’s provides incredible care for people and families across Plymouth.

“It’s fantastic to see Persimmon continuing to back such an important local service, and I’d like to thank them for their ongoing generosity. Contributions like this make a real difference to the care the hospice can provide to our community.”

Devon firms urged to embrace AI as major digital summit heads to Torquay

Devon Today
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Devon firms urged to embrace AI as major digital summit heads to Torquay

Devon businesses are being encouraged to sharpen their digital skills and explore the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence as a major new countywide event prepares to launch.

Digital Devon will bring together technology leaders, business experts and organisations from across the South West for a full-day programme focused on helping firms understand and adopt digital technology. The event is the first in a planned series of activities forming part of a five-year programme designed to support businesses at every stage of their digital journey.

The event will take place on Tuesday, June 9 at the Riviera Centre in Torquay. Organised by Devon Chamber of Commerce, it is open to businesses of all sizes and sectors.

Speakers announced for the event include Jon Carter, healthcare executive lead for the South West at Microsoft UK, Andy Haldane CBE, president of the British Chambers of Commerce, Dominic Mac, chief technology officer at PwC, and Julie Hawker MBE, chief executive of Cosmic.

Attendees will also be able to take part in interactive workshops covering topics such as AI prompting, cyber security and ways businesses can use AI to reduce costs. Breakout sessions throughout the day will offer practical learning opportunities, while an exhibition will showcase technology and digital organisations from across the South West.

James Cater of Devon Chamber said: “If want to keep pace with digital and AI then this event is for you.

“The rapid evolution of all things digital and AI means businesses need opportunities to connect and learn.

“Digital Devon will give businesses, in all industries, the insight, skills and confidence they need as well as a practical roadmap for their business to take away.

“This is the start of a 5-year programme from Devon Chamber to ensure no business is left behind when it comes to digital adoption.”

Businesses attending the event will receive a Digital Devon Wayfinder Guide, described as a practical roadmap developed by experts to help organisations take the next steps in their digital development.

The programme will explore a range of topics including AI skills and applications, IT and cyber security, digital skills and careers, and governance, ethics, skills and culture within digital businesses.

Helen Wylde-Archibald, chief executive of Devon Chamber, said: “Digital Devon is a catalyst for our region’s economic growth.

“By strengthening our digital capabilities, we’re positioning Devon to achieve the kind of GVA uplift seen in places like Bristol and Milton Keynes.

“Just as importantly, the event helps build a more resilient and future-ready supply chain, from defence to our wider knowledge economy.

“This is the kind of investment in skills, connectivity, and collaboration that keeps our businesses competitive and our communities thriving.”

Digital Devon is aimed at a broad audience, including SMEs, business leaders, IT and cyber security professionals, and public sector organisations.

Further information, ticket details and exhibition opportunities are available at https://devonchamber.co.uk/digital-devon/

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