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Beloved village pub promises fresh start with new chef and new menu

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Beloved village pub promises fresh start with new chef and new menu

A popular village pub has apologised to customers after admitting it struggled to give the business the attention it deserved while its owners took on a second venue.

The owners of The Black Horse in Braunton said recent months had brought “obstacles, teething troubles, logistic nightmares” and “countless hours of stress” following the purchase of another pub.

Grant and Liz said they had originally planned to establish the second business before returning their full focus to The Black Horse, but acknowledged things had not gone as expected.

In a message to customers, they said the pub had “suffered” while they tried to balance both businesses.

They wrote: “We’re so sorry it has taken us this long, but we’re now finally in a position to be able to get back to you all on a more regular basis and promise that we’re not going anywhere and will be with you all once again.”

The pair also announced that chef Dan had decided to leave the business.

Grant and Liz said Dan wanted to focus on his own health and happiness and thanked him for his contribution to the pub.

The owners also revealed they had appointed a new chef, Ali, alongside launching a new menu and what they described as a “brand new vibe”.

Grant and Liz said the new food offering would be “completely new, completely different” and invited customers to visit the pub to meet Ali.

The message concluded with a thank you to customers for their continued support.

Grant and Liz wrote: “Thank you for being you and thank you for making The Black Horse the best pub in the village.

“Braunton…. We bloody love you and always will…. See you very soon.”

New fencing installed to keep Dawlish Brook swans safe from storm gates

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New fencing installed to keep Dawlish Brook swans safe from storm gates

New fencing has been installed to help protect Dawlish’s famous swans after concerns they were passing through lower storm gates, with wardens acting ahead of high spring tides expected later this week.

Dawlish Waterfowl has confirmed that additional fencing has now been fitted to the lower storm gates on Brook following reports from residents concerned about the birds’ safety.

The issue has become more significant because of high spring tides, which are expected to peak on Thursday, July 16.

The charity said its waterfowl wardens secured the gates with extra fencing to provide the swans with greater protection while helping prevent them from wandering into unsuitable areas.

The fencing has been installed so the swans can still reach the seaweed that forms a natural part of their diet.

Dawlish Waterfowl thanked members of the public who contacted the organisation to report the issue and share their concerns.

In a statement, the organisation said: “Many of you have been in touch with concerns about our swans managing to get through the lower storm gates.

“This issue has been made even more challenging by the current high spring tides, which are due to peak on Thursday 16th July.

“We’re pleased to report that our dedicated Waterfowl Wardens have now taken action and secured the lower storm gates with additional fencing.

“This will provide the swans with extra protection and help prevent them from wandering into unsuitable areas.

“The fencing has been carefully installed to ensure the swans can still access the seaweed they love so much – a tasty and natural part of their diet.

“A huge thank you to everyone who got in touch to report the situation and share their concerns. Your vigilance helps us keep a close eye on our wildlife and respond quickly when needed.

“As always, life on Brook is never quiet!”

Sea of support as Ilfracombe Shanty Festival ends on a high note

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Sea of support as Ilfracombe Shanty Festival ends on a high note

The final chorus may have faded, but the buzz around Ilfracombe’s inaugural Shanty Festival is showing little sign of stopping, with organisers already looking ahead to next year’s event after an overwhelmingly positive response.

Hundreds of visitors filled venues across the town over the weekend as sea shanty crews from around the UK performed during the two-day festival on Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28.

The event featured performances across twelve venues, alongside a town-wide treasure hunt, celebrating maritime music and Ilfracombe’s coastal heritage.

Following the festival, organisers thanked everyone who attended and supported the event, saying they had been overwhelmed by the response.

In a message shared after the weekend, organisers said: “Thank you to everyone who came out to the festival at the weekend, and also for the deluge of love on social media. We are beyond words!

“Our inbox and email got red hot!”

Ilfracombe Sea Shanty Festival 2026 (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Ilfracombe Sea Shanty Festival 2026 (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Ilfracombe Sea Shanty Festival 2026 (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Ilfracombe Sea Shanty Festival 2026 (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Ilfracombe Sea Shanty Festival 2026 (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Ilfracombe Sea Shanty Festival 2026 (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Ilfracombe Sea Shanty Festival 2026 (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Ilfracombe Sea Shanty Festival 2026 (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Ilfracombe Sea Shanty Festival 2026 (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Ilfracombe Sea Shanty Festival 2026 (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Ilfracombe Sea Shanty Festival 2026 (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Ilfracombe Sea Shanty Festival 2026 (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Ilfracombe Sea Shanty Festival 2026 (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Ilfracombe Sea Shanty Festival 2026 (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Ilfracombe Sea Shanty Festival 2026 (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Ilfracombe Sea Shanty Festival 2026 (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Ilfracombe Sea Shanty Festival 2026 (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Ilfracombe Sea Shanty Festival 2026 (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Ilfracombe Sea Shanty Festival 2026 (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Ilfracombe Sea Shanty Festival 2026 (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Ilfracombe Sea Shanty Festival 2026 (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Ilfracombe Sea Shanty Festival 2026 (Credit : Simon Ellery)

The organisers have also confirmed preparations are already under way for the 2027 festival, with dates due to be announced on Saturday, August 1.

The Ilfracombe Shanty Festival was organised by Scuttlebutt Shanty and featured visiting shanty crews performing throughout the town. A percentage of profits from the event will be donated to RNLI Ilfracombe.

Festival updates and future announcements will be shared through the Ilfracombe Shanty Festival social media channels.

Cornwood Inn raises the bar with place in prestigious UK pub finals

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Cornwood Inn raises the bar with place in prestigious UK pub finals

The Cornwood Inn has been recognised among the country’s leading rural pubs after representing the South West in the UK final of the Countryside Alliance Awards.

The village pub secured its place in the national final after being crowned the South West winner in the Pub category of this year’s Countryside Alliance Awards, going on to compete against regional champions from across the UK.

Although it did not take the overall national title, reaching the final marks a significant achievement for the business and reflects the reputation it has built within the local community.

Tina Forbes, landlady of The Cornwood Inn, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have represented the South West in the UK finals. It was a wonderful experience and a real privilege to be recognised alongside so many fantastic rural businesses from across the country.

“None of this would have been possible without our brilliant team and the amazing support we’ve had from our customers and the local community. Their encouragement means everything to us.”

Rebecca Smith, MP for South West Devon, joined Tina at the Countryside Alliance Awards Champions’ Reception in Parliament yesterday afternoon, where the final result was announced.

Miss Smith said: “To reach the UK final is a tremendous achievement and one everyone at The Cornwood Inn should be incredibly proud of.

“Village pubs are at the heart of our rural communities, bringing people together and supporting local jobs. The Cornwood Inn is a wonderful example of that, and being recognised on the national stage is thoroughly deserved.

“Congratulations to Tina and the whole team on representing both Cornwood and the South West so well.”

Devon hair stylist wins top regional honour at L’Oréal Colour Trophy final

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Devon hair stylist wins top regional honour at L’Oréal Colour Trophy final

A Devon hairdresser has beaten thousands of competitors from across the UK to win one of the industry’s most prestigious awards after impressing judges with a striking futuristic hairstyle inspired by elegance, spring and the legendary Vidal Sassoon.

Zoe Hodgkiss, owner of Zoe Hodgkiss – Hair Artistry in Holsworthy, was named Western Regional Winner at the L’Oréal Colour Trophy Grand Final, held at The O2 in London on Thursday, July 9, as the competition celebrated its 70th anniversary.

The world’s longest-running live hairdressing competition saw finalists selected from thousands of colourists and salons across the UK following eight regional semi-finals.

Hosted by Amanda Holden, the grand final featured a gala dinner, live creative shows, an awards ceremony and an afterparty, with competitors showcasing their technical skills and creativity in front of leading figures from the hairdressing industry.

Zoe Hodgkiss’ award-winning look on the runway during the L’Oréal Colour Trophy Grand Final.
(Credit: Submitted / L’Oréal Colour Trophy)
Zoe Hodgkiss prepares her model backstage ahead of the L’Oréal Colour Trophy Grand Final at The O2.
(Credit: Submitted / L’Oréal Colour Trophy)
Zoe Hodgkiss puts the finishing touches to her award-winning look before the L’Oréal Colour Trophy Grand Final.

Speaking after receiving the award, Zoe Hodgkiss said: “Being named L’Oréal Colour Trophy Western Regional Winner, especially in the competition’s 70th anniversary year, means everything to me. The standard gets stronger every year, so to hear my name called at the grand final at The O2 was such an emotional moment and one I will never forget.”

Zoe said her winning look drew inspiration from “elegance, femininity, calmness and spirituality”, while adding a modern and futuristic edge.

She said: “After being part of the Project Sassoon Team, and with Vidal Sassoon as such a huge inspiration to me, I created a sharp, clean bob to bring structure and precision to the look.

“The lavender, lilac and blonde tones were chosen to feel fresh and uplifting, full of new energy, like the feeling of spring.”

Reflecting on what the award means for her salon, Zoe added: “For me, this win is also about showing that beautiful, creative work can come from anywhere. Whether you are in a big London salon or a smaller salon in the South West, it is your creativity, passion and inspiration that matter most.

“I am so proud to represent Devon, and I hope this helps show the next generation of hairdressers that if you keep learning, keep pushing yourself and take the chance, you never know what could happen and that anything is possible.”

The L’Oréal Colour Trophy was first held in 1954 and is regarded as one of the UK’s leading professional hairdressing competitions, recognising excellence in hair colour and creative styling.

This year’s finalists competed after qualifying through regional heats in Belfast, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Bristol, St Albans, Brighton and London.

For more information about the competition, visit https://www.lorealcolourtrophy.com/.

Dunsford pupils whisk up world geography during Eden Project adventure

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Dunsford pupils whisk up world geography during Eden Project adventure

Geography lessons came to life for pupils from Dunsford Community Academy as they swapped the classroom for a hands-on learning experience at the Eden Project, where they explored world environments, uncovered hidden ingredients and discovered how food connects people and places across the globe.

The visit saw pupils from the Learning Academy Partnership school take part in the Eden Project’s “Crazy Chef” challenge, following clues, using maps and working together to locate ingredients hidden throughout the biomes.

As they collected each ingredient, the children learned about its global origins and explored how everyday foods are linked to different countries and environments before watching the cake they had helped “unlock” being prepared.

Pupils explore one of the Eden Project’s biomes as part of their geography learning.
Pupils from Dunsford Community Academy enjoy views across the Eden Project during their geography visit.
Pupils work together to solve clues and locate hidden ingredients during the Eden Project’s “Crazy Chef” challenge.

Pupils also explored the Eden Project’s iconic biomes, learning about a wide range of plants, habitats and the unique environments they recreate.

The visit supported the school’s wider curriculum, helping pupils build their understanding of the world while developing the knowledge and skills to become confident, informed and responsible global citizens.

Headteacher Liam O’Sullivan said: “It was wonderful to see our pupils fully immersed in their learning at the Eden Project.

“Opportunities like this make geography real, engaging and memorable, and the children represented the school beautifully throughout the day, working as a team and showing excellent behaviour.”

Tracey Cleverly, trust lead at Learning Academy Partnership, said: “A huge thank you to staff and the PTFA for creating such enriching learning experiences for pupils.

“Trips like this are a brilliant example of how schools can bring the curriculum to life and help children develop curiosity and confidence beyond the classroom.”

Housebuilder marks Pride Month with fourth year of support for local charity

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Housebuilder marks Pride Month with fourth year of support for local charity

A North Devon charity helping to create safer and more inclusive communities has received another financial boost after a regional housebuilder pledged its support for the fourth consecutive year.

In recognition of Pride Month, Allison Homes has donated £500 to Sunrise Diversity, a Barnstaple-based charity which celebrates diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination across North Devon.

The donation will help cover the charity’s general running costs, enabling it to continue providing confidential support services, training workshops and regular events, including LGBTQ+ social groups, for people across North Devon and Torridge.

The housebuilder first supported Sunrise Diversity in June 2023 and has made a donation during Pride Month every year since, bringing its total contribution to the charity to £2,000.

Ana Lodge, chief executive of Sunrise Diversity, said: “We’re thrilled to have the backing of Allison Homes during LGBTQ+ Pride Month and beyond, and we’re incredibly grateful for their generous donation towards our work.

“Partnerships with local businesses play a vital role in helping to create communities that are safe, welcoming and inclusive for everyone, regardless of their background, identity or lived experience.

“Allison Homes’ commitment will help us continue making that vision a reality.”

Glyn Mabey, managing director at Allison Homes South West, said: “We take great joy in supporting Sunrise Diversity for a fourth time. This is a wonderful charity, championing diversity and inclusion across North Devon and beyond, and we’re proud to be playing a role in their mission.

“At Allison Homes, our annual Pride Month donations are very important to us. Not only do we strive for inclusive communities for our residents but for our employees too, and we’ll continue to foster an open culture where people of all identities feel supported and heard.”

Allison Homes’ South West division operates from offices in Tiverton and Bristol. The company is currently building homes at High Moor View in Winkleigh and is preparing to launch a new development, Hartwell Chase, in Congresbury, North Somerset.

More information about Allison Homes is available at https://allison-homes.co.uk/, while details about Sunrise Diversity can be found at https://sunrisediversity.org.uk/.

New team to lead Great Torrington Pannier Market into exciting future

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New team to lead Great Torrington Pannier Market into exciting future

One of North Devon’s best-known markets is entering a new era after a local organisation was appointed to oversee its future, with new specialist events and expanded opportunities for traders planned alongside its long-established markets.

North Devon Handmade Collective has announced it has been appointed as the new licence operator for Great Torrington Pannier Market.

Established in 1842, the market has served Great Torrington for nearly 184 years, supporting local traders, attracting visitors and acting as a community hub.

The collective said Friday and Saturday markets would continue as normal, while the popular Wednesday Community Lunch would also remain.

It also plans to introduce a programme of specialist Sunday markets, alongside creating additional opportunities for local makers, artists, traders and community groups.

The organisation said it also intends to launch new events aimed at attracting more visitors while celebrating creativity across North Devon.

Its first specialist event, Handmade in North Devon, is due to take place on Sunday, August 23, featuring up to 40 local artisans and makers.

Visitors can expect stalls selling handmade jewellery, ceramics, fused glass, artwork, embroidery, artisan soaps and folk art, among other handcrafted products.

North Devon Handmade Collective said its long-term vision is to establish Great Torrington Pannier Market as a destination for heritage, creativity, independent businesses and authentic market experiences.

The organisation added it is looking forward to working with traders, residents, community groups and visitors to help ensure the historic market continues to thrive for future generations.

Circus hopes vanish as Torbay run is axed after site row halts big top

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Circus hopes vanish as Torbay run is axed after site row halts big top

A circus has cancelled its entire stay in Torbay after claiming a dispute over its showground and a lack of water supply made it impossible to open, leaving ticket holders facing refunds or transfers.

Paulos Circus announced the cancellation in a statement shared on social media after work had already begun erecting its big top.

The circus said it had completed moving the remainder of the show onto the site, marked out the ground and confirmed the layout before construction started at 8am.

However, it claimed the landowner later informed staff the circus had been set up in the wrong location and insisted it should be moved.

According to the statement, relocating the structure at that stage was not practical.

The statement said: “Unfortunately, the landowner has now informed us that the site has been set up in the wrong location and insists that it must be moved. This simply ain’t possible. Our bigtop and steelwork are not on wheels and relocating everything at this stage cannot be done practically or even in time to open.”

The circus also claimed it had been assured a water supply would be available but later discovered there was no water on site.

It said: “We cannot reasonably expect our staff, performers and families to remain on site for two weeks without such a basic necessity.”

Paulos Circus said it had been unable to reach an agreement with the landowner and described the circumstances as being beyond its control.

The statement added: “We are truly sorry to let everyone down but these circumstances are completely beyond our control and we have been unable to reach an agreement with the landowner.”

In a separate update, the circus confirmed all Torbay ticket holders would be contacted by its office team within the next seven days.

Customers will be offered the choice of transferring their booking to performances in Exeter or Newquay, or receiving a full refund.

Anyone who has not been contacted by next Wednesday has been asked to email info@paulos.co.uk.

The circus apologised for the disappointment and thanked customers for their understanding and support.

Bloom fears fade as vandals leave South Molton volunteers at breaking point

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Bloom fears fade as vandals leave South Molton volunteers at breaking point

South Molton’s award-winning floral displays could disappear after volunteers warned they may be forced to stop their work because of repeated vandalism.

South Molton in Bloom said ongoing damage to plants and displays was leaving volunteers “heartbroken” while also wasting money donated to support the group’s work across the town.

In a message shared on social media, the volunteer group said continued acts of vandalism had pushed them to question whether they could carry on.

The group said: “South Molton in Bloom may have to give up unless the police do something about the vandalism in town, as not only is it heartbreaking for us volunteers but also a waste of the donated money.

“But will all the residents want to see all the weeds back everywhere?”

The volunteers also called for a greater police presence in South Molton, saying they believed policing resources were focused on Barnstaple and Ilfracombe despite South Molton being a growing town.

They said: “Police focus on Barnstaple and Ilfracombe but this is a growing town. We need to get the police here to focus on this town.”

The group encouraged residents who felt strongly about the issue to speak with police officers if they were in the town’s market and urged people to report every incident of antisocial behaviour.

The post added: “Everyone needs to report every single bit of antisocial behaviour to accumulate the stats for the police.”

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