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Torquay teacher pounds pavement and thanks pupils after marathon triumph

Devon Today
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Torquay teacher pounds pavement and thanks pupils after marathon triumph

A determined teacher has crossed one of the world’s toughest finish lines — and turned the spotlight firmly onto the pupils who helped get her there.

Sarah Pappin, from Torquay, completed the 26.2-mile London Marathon in three hours and 49 minutes, raising money for The Children’s Society.

The run took place on Sunday, April 26, with Sarah taking on the challenge to support the charity’s work with children and young people facing issues including mental health difficulties, poverty, exploitation and abuse.

Sarah, who is head of Brunel House at Torquay Academy, said she was motivated by seeing first-hand the pressures young people face.

Pupils at the school backed her efforts throughout, organising bake sales, a Christmas concert and a three-night production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to help raise funds.

By race day, more than £2,700 had been raised.

Reflecting on the achievement, Sarah said: “I am so thrilled to have completed this year’s London Marathon – it feels fantastic. I want to say a big thank you to all the pupils at Torquay Academy for supporting me as well as my family and friends.

“My goal in running the London Marathon was to be an inspiration for our children, showing them firsthand that with commitment and support, anything is possible. So hopefully I have done that.”

Charlie Bartlett, community mobilisation manager at The Children’s Society, added: “Running the London Marathon is a truly amazing accomplishment and Sarah’s inspiring efforts will help to make a real difference to young people’s lives.

“Every pound raised by Sarah and all our marathon runners will help The Children’s Society make a real difference to those facing some of life’s tough challenges.”

Sarah’s fundraising page can be viewed online.

Community breakfast sparks big ideas as leaders unite for new hub

Devon Today
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Community breakfast sparks big ideas as leaders unite for new hub

A breakfast meeting has laid the groundwork for a new community hub, bringing together local leaders to shape support for children and families.

Community representatives gathered at Teign School, part of Education South West, for the inaugural Teign community leaders breakfast aimed at identifying priorities for the planned Teign community hub.

The event brought together organisations from across the area, including schools, charities, the NHS, Devon County Council, youth groups and local businesses.

Attendees shared insights into challenges facing the community, identified gaps in existing services and explored how the hub could best support children, young people and families. Discussions focused on collaboration, community input and developing services that reflect local needs.

The session included a presentation, group discussions and opportunities for feedback. Organisers said responses will be collated and shared with participants to help inform future meetings and initiatives.

The breakfast is intended to be the first step in developing a community-led hub designed to support learning, opportunity and wellbeing.

Lucie Wagner, head of school at Teign School, said: “It was fantastic to meet so many passionate people at the breakfast. Hearing first-hand from local leaders and exploring ways we can work together to develop the Teign Community Hub was inspiring.

“This event marks the beginning of a network that will help our community thrive.”

Matthew Shanks, chief executive of Education South West, said: “Collaboration is at the heart of the Teign Community Hub.

“Bringing local leaders together ensures the hub focuses on the areas that matter most and creates lasting, positive change for the community.”

Teign pupils reach for the skies with hands-on STEM career programme boost

Devon Today
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Teign pupils reach for the skies with hands-on STEM career programme boost

A group of young students are setting their sights sky-high after being given a glimpse into future careers through a mentoring and STEM programme designed to broaden horizons and build confidence.

Teign School, part of Education South West, is celebrating the achievements of its year seven pupils taking part in the “Your Future Story” (YFS) programme, which supports high-attaining students across the South West.

The initiative is aimed at helping young people explore future education and career pathways while developing confidence and resilience.

The first cohort at the school includes four students, who are supported by teacher champion Matthew Wagner. He provides mentoring and guidance to help them reach their potential.

The programme combines in-school mentoring with visits to employers and universities, offering hands-on experience in science, technology, engineering and maths, alongside insight into higher education.

Students take part in a STEM visit as part of the Your Future Story programme
(Credit : Submitted)

Recent highlights have included a STEM challenge at Spaceport Cornwall and a tour of Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil. Pupils are also due to visit the University of Bristol and the University of Exeter’s Penryn campus later this year.

The scheme also supports staff through professional development, including access to research, study visits and networks designed to strengthen provision for high-attaining students.

Lucie Wagner, head of school at Teign School, said: “We are incredibly proud of our pupils for embracing the Your Future Story programme.

“It is wonderful to see them engaging with new experiences, developing confidence, and thinking ambitiously about their future.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West, said: “Your Future Story is a fantastic opportunity for high-attaining pupils to broaden their horizons.

“Teign School’s commitment to supporting these students demonstrates the impact schools can have when encouraging talent and ambition from an early age.”

Plymouth students take bite of Big Apple on landmark New York trip

Devon Today
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Plymouth students take bite of Big Apple on landmark New York trip

Sixth formers have returned with memories to last a lifetime after stepping into one of the world’s most recognisable cityscapes, taking in landmarks, culture and live entertainment along the way.

Students from Tor Bridge High in Plymouth travelled to New York City for an educational visit designed to broaden their understanding of global culture and history.

During the trip, they visited well-known locations including Times Square, Rockefeller Center and the Chrysler Building. They also explored the Museum of Modern Art, One World Observatory and Liberty Island, where they stood in front of the Statue of Liberty.

The group paid their respects at the 9/11 Memorial and attended a Broadway performance of Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Students also watched the New York Knicks play at Madison Square Garden, which was described as an inspiring experience for those involved in the school’s Patriots Academy basketball programme.

The visit concluded with a trip to Grand Central Terminal and time spent shopping at Macy’s.

Students attend a New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden
(Credit : Submitted)
Students explore artworks at the Museum of Modern Art
(Credit : Submitted)
Students outside Macy’s during a shopping stop in New York
(Credit : Submitted)
Students pose with the Manhattan skyline during their trip
(Credit : Submitted)

In the lead-up to the visit, students took part in fundraising activities including bake sales and penalty shoot-out competitions during sports day. The trip was also supported by £3,000 in external grant funding, helping to make it accessible to more pupils.

Tor Bridge High is part of the Ted Wragg Trust and offers a range of enrichment opportunities aimed at developing confidence and broadening experiences beyond the classroom.

Tracy Stephenson, headteacher at Tor Bridge High, said: “This trip was an incredible experience for our students, one they will never forget.

“We are extremely proud of how they conducted themselves and embraced every moment of the adventure.

“It was such a success that we are already making plans to return in 2027.”

Moira Marder, chief executive of the Ted Wragg Trust, said: “Experiences like this not only allow students to see culture, history and the arts come alive, inspiring them in ways that can’t be replicated in the classroom.

“They also help pupils develop confidence, independence and curiosity.

“We are proud that Tor Bridge High offers life-changing opportunities like this, supporting more young people to access new experiences.”

Lifeline bus returns to Royal William Yard after travel chaos

Plymouth City Council
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Lifeline bus returns to Royal William Yard after travel chaos

Bus services will return to the Royal William Yard on the Stonehouse Peninsula from this Saturday – in time for the popular monthly good food and craft market.

Plymouth City Council is to subsidise a shuttlebus, the 34A, that will serve all stops along Union Street between the Octagon and Stonehouse Roundabout – the stops that are currently used by the service 34. The 34A will then continue to Royal William Yard via the signposted diversions. 

Plymouth Citybus will deploy a 24-seater, fully accessible shuttle bus to run every 30 minutes from 7am to 7pm seven days a week.

The 34A will pick up passengers who would normally use Service 34 to reach Durnford Street, Royal Willam Yard and Cremyll Ferry. The 34 will continue to operate from the City Centre to Derriford via Duke of Cornwall, Martin Street, Union Street and returning to its normal route through Devonport to Torpoint Ferry, Stoke, Milehouse and Crownhill.

Glenn Caplin-Grey, Strategic Director for Growth said: “We know that this is a lifeline for many elderly and more vulnerable residents on the Stonehouse peninsula who rely on the bus, so we were keen to bring some form of public transport back as soon as possible.

“It’s also fantastic to hear that this service will be up and running in time for the popular monthly market at the Royal William Yard and the Bank Holiday weekend. We are keen to do what we can to support businesses and keep the traffic flowing in and out of Stonehouse.”

The 34 is a popular and busy service which normally uses a double decker. Given the bus’s size, Citybus have been unable to use the road diversions that were put in place as a result of emergency road closures around Evolution Cove from 17 April.

Test runs took place on Tuesday to ensure that the bus to be used – which measures just under nine metres and is the smallest vehicle in the fleet – could negotiate the diversion route.

The Council has agreed to fund the temporary service for an initial six weeks at a cost of £28,000 to minimise disruption to bus passengers to Stonehouse peninsula and Royal William Yard.

Two temporary bus stops have also been put up in Martin Street for the 34 service to serve Millbay Academy School.

Our highways team continue to have a presence on site and more adjustments have been made to the traffic signal arrangements. This has now been set up as a two-way system, which should further reduce waiting time.

This revised set up will be monitored over the next few days and we have committed to having operatives on site across the Bank Holiday weekend, so that manual intervention of the signals can be made if congestion builds up. 

New climbing frame sends pupils scrambling for fun at primary school

Devon Today
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New climbing frame sends pupils scrambling for fun at primary school

Children have been climbing, balancing and scrambling their way through a new playground addition that is already proving a hit with pupils eager to test their skills.

A brand-new climbing frame has been unveiled at Drake Primary Academy, giving pupils a new way to build confidence, develop physical ability and work together during playtimes.

The equipment was funded through support from the school’s parent-teacher association (PTA), with money secured from the sale of the former Pelican Children’s Centre in Plymouth.

Installed over the Easter break, the structure was officially opened during a special moment at the school this week, with pupils among the first to try it out.

The new climbing frame was funded through a donation secured with support from the school’s PTA.jpg
Staff pose with the new climbing frame funded with support from the PTA
(Credit : Submitted)
The official opening of the new climbing frame at Drake Primary Academy.jpg
Pupils gather as the new climbing frame is officially opened at the school
(Credit : Submitted)

Drake Primary Academy, part of the Reach South Academy Trust, says outdoor play is an important part of pupils’ overall development, with physical activity and personal growth encouraged across the school.

Jacqueline Stephens, executive headteacher at Drake Primary Academy, said: “We are incredibly grateful to our PTA for their continued support and for securing this funding.

“The new climbing frame is a fantastic addition to our playground, and it is wonderful to see the children already making the most of it.”

Hidden WW2 escapes revealed as stranded soldiers fought to survive

Devon Today
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Hidden WW2 escapes revealed as stranded soldiers fought to survive

Forgotten behind the thunder of D-Day, thousands of Allied soldiers were left to fend for themselves in hostile territory — their stories of survival, escape and sacrifice now brought back into focus in a new book.

Karen Farrington, an author and former journalist based in North Devon, explores these largely untold accounts in The Great Italian Breakout: The Most Audacious Escapes of the Second World War, which is set to be published on Thursday, May 21.

The book examines the aftermath of Italy’s armistice in 1943, when more than 60 prisoner of war camps across the country were left in disarray. Thousands of Allied soldiers escaped as guards deserted their posts, only to find themselves stranded as German forces moved in to regain control of the peninsula.

Farrington traces the experiences of those who fled into the Italian countryside, where survival depended on navigating an unfamiliar and often dangerous landscape. Some managed to reach the Swiss frontier, the Vatican or Allied lines, while others travelled further to France or Yugoslavia. A small number escaped to Spain by boat, while many joined partisan groups fighting a guerrilla war against German occupiers.

Not all survived. Many died attempting to escape, and others were recaptured.

The book also highlights the role of Italian civilians who risked severe punishment to shelter and support the escapees, offering food, clothing and refuge despite the presence of German troops.

Rome was liberated by Allied forces on Wednesday, June 4, 1944, just two days before the D-Day landings in Normandy. The significance of events in Italy was quickly overshadowed, and many of the soldiers involved rarely spoke about their experiences after returning home.

Drawing on original research, including unpublished memoirs and interviews with families, Farrington presents a chronological account of the mass escapes and the conditions faced by those on the run.

Joshua Levine, bestselling author of Dunkirk, said: “This is an exciting book, set in a time of extremes, showcasing the best and worst that humanity has to offer.”

Jonathan Trigg, author of D-Day Through German Eyes, added: “The end result is as fascinating as it is engaging and highly recommended.”

Farrington’s previous works include The Angels of Englemere Wood, The Repair Shop: Theatre of Dreams, The Blitzed City and Witness to World War II.

Redundancy leads to new Bideford vape shop for experienced owner

Lewis Clarke
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Redundancy leads to new Bideford vape shop for experienced owner

A business owner has turned redundancy into a new beginning after opening a shop shaped by years of industry experience and a move for a better way of life.

Coastal Vapes has opened at 61 Mill Street, Bideford, offering vaping products, alternative nicotine options and trading card game collectibles.

Owner Darryl Hamlin, 42, said the idea came after he was made redundant from a role in e-liquid manufacturing, where he had worked for around ten years.

Darryl said: “Until June 2025, I’d spent around ten years working as an e-liquid manufacturing manager in Basingstoke.

“When the company went into administration and I was made redundant, I took on long-distance courier work for a while.

“Spending so many hours on the road gave me time to think about what I wanted my future to look like.

“I realised I wanted to get back into an industry I knew well and enjoyed — but to do it on my own terms.”

He moved to Bideford at the end of 2025 with his wife and their eight-year-old son in search of a change of pace.

Darryl said: “Spending more time here made us appreciate the community vibe and the beautiful surroundings.

“We wanted a better work-life balance, and Bideford offers exactly that — a slower pace, friendly people, and a lovely environment to build something meaningful.”

The shop held its grand opening on Friday, April 3.

Darryl said customer feedback so far had included support from the local community as well as other vape retailers.

The shop stocks starter kits, prefilled pod systems, advanced kits, nicotine pouches and tabs. It also offers Pokémon and other trading card game collectibles.

Darryl said: “There’s a strong collector community locally and we wanted to bring something fun and unique that adds a bit of variety.”

He added that one range he was particularly proud to stock was Wake ‘n’ Vape, an e-liquid line originally created and manufactured by him.

Darryl said: “The flavours are my own recipes, developed over years of experimentation and customer feedback.

“Although production has since been handed over to another trusted UK manufacturer, the flavours remain true to my original formulations.”

He said quality and safety were “non-negotiable”, with products stocked in line with UK regulations.

Darryl said Coastal Vapes aimed to focus on trust, quality and customer care, particularly for people trying to quit smoking.

The shop website is www.coastalvapes.co.uk.

Tiverton sweet shop thrives after move brings boost in passing trade

Lewis Clarke
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Tiverton sweet shop thrives after move brings boost in passing trade

A childhood love of sweets has come full circle for one local shop owner, who has turned fond memories into a growing business now drawing in customers old and new.

Darren Gould, who runs The Jelly Bean in Tiverton, said the shop has been built on a lifelong passion for confectionery and a connection to the very premises he once visited as a child.

The business first opened in May 2024, with Darren recalling his early enthusiasm for the venture. He said: “I have always loved my sweets and used to buy them in this very shop as a child.”

Reflecting on the early days, Darren added: “When we opened it was very exciting and I had a good regular stream of customers.”

Since launching, the shop has maintained steady trade, with a mix of quieter and busier periods. Darren said: “The business has ticked over nicely since day one, a mix of quiet days and great days.”

Among the products introduced, freeze-dried sweets proved particularly popular, although initially they were considered a premium option. Darren said: “The introduction of freeze dried sweets was very popular but were an expensive treat in the early days, they are much more affordable now.”

He believes the shop stands out locally for its focus. He said: “I think the shop stands out as being the only sweet shop in town selling only sweets.”

The business later relocated from Gold Street to Bampton Street after the previous lease ended, with hopes of increasing footfall. Darren said: “I moved from Gold Street to Bampton Street because my lease had ended and we hoped for more foot traffic.”

Since the move, customer response has been encouraging. Darren added: “The response from our customers has been positive.”

Although the new premises are smaller, he said the range has expanded significantly. Darren said: “The shop is slightly smaller but we have got a lot more in there, sweets from decades ago to brand new, over 400 different sweets at last count.”

Having lived in the town all his life, Darren said the business has also strengthened his ties to the community. He said: “I have lived here all my life so I get to see many friends old and new.”

He also supports local initiatives where possible. Darren added: “I try to support as many local causes as possible, donations for draw prizes and the like.”

Looking ahead, he hopes to continue building on the shop’s success. Darren said: “I am hoping to carry on for years to come adding new sweets as I discover them.”

Rural fury grows as fuel tax rise threatens farms and family budgets

Devon Today
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Rural fury grows as fuel tax rise threatens farms and family budgets

Concerns are mounting over the impact of rising fuel costs, with warnings that planned tax increases could leave rural households and farmers facing some of the steepest financial pressures yet.

Rebecca Smith has joined Kemi Badenoch in raising concerns that proposed changes to fuel duty will disproportionately affect rural communities, where reliance on cars remains high due to limited public transport options.

They argue that those living and working in the countryside will be more exposed to rising costs, particularly farmers who depend heavily on red diesel for day-to-day operations.

Under current plans, red diesel duty is expected to increase in stages, reaching 11.14 pence per litre by Saturday, March 1, 2027 — an increase of close to 10 per cent.

The changes come at a time when farming businesses are already dealing with higher costs for fertiliser and wider economic pressures.

Rebecca said: “Labour do not get rural communities. If they did, they would never have introduced the hated Family Farm Tax which the Conservatives have promised to overturn as soon as we are back in Government.

“Now – just when the cost of fuel and other agricultural commodity prices are on the rise – they are set on pushing up taxes on red diesel. Farmers cannot afford to pay nearly ten per cent more tax on their fuel.

“The Conservative Party is calling on the Government to scrap the planned rise in Fuel Duty and take immediate action to support households across the country by implementing our Cheap Power Plan which will take 20 per cent off of electricity bills.”

Kemi echoed the concerns, adding: “Labour do not get rural communities. If they did, they would never have introduced the hated Family Farm Tax which Conservatives have promised to overturn as soon as we are back in Government.

“Now – just when the cost of fuel and other agricultural commodity prices are on the rise – they are set on pushing up taxes on red diesel. Farmers cannot afford to pay nearly ten per cent more tax on their fuel.

“Conservatives are calling on the Government to back farming and axe the fuel tax rise now. Rural communities rely on their cars so it is time to end the war on motorists and get Britain working again.”

Victoria Atkins, shadow environment secretary, also warned of wider consequences for the food supply chain.

Victoria said: “As food prices continue to rise for us all and with record numbers of farms closing, this government must stop piling more and more taxes on food producers.

“In these volatile times, we need our farmers growing food, not worrying about Labour’s record taxes. Labour’s time in government has already damaged the rural economy but this further tax hike will mean higher food prices for us all and rural transport costs. Labour must axe the fuel tax rise now.”

The Conservative Party is calling for the planned increase in fuel duty to be scrapped, alongside wider proposals including a reduction in electricity bills and measures to address rural crime.

The debate comes amid broader concerns about confidence within the farming sector, with previous data indicating a decline in optimism about the future of agriculture.

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