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Fire at Teignmouth Library exposes crew shortage at local station

Devon Today
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Fire at Teignmouth Library exposes crew shortage at local station

A crew shortage left Teignmouth Fire Station unable to respond when a fire broke out at the town’s library, with firefighters now speaking out to explain what happened and renew calls for more recruits.

In a statement shared with the community, Teignmouth Fire Station said it could not attend the incident because there were not enough available firefighters to mobilise safely.

The station said a minimum crew of four firefighters is needed to attend an incident. This must include a qualified driver, another firefighter trained in incident command, and two trained in breathing apparatus.

When the fire at Teignmouth Library was reported, the station said it was one firefighter short of that minimum requirement.

Teignmouth Fire Station said it always aims to provide a 24-hour response, but added that this is not always possible. Firefighters said this can happen when crews are already dealing with another incident or when there are not enough staff immediately available.

The station described on-call firefighters as “the backbone of the Fire & Rescue Service”, both in Teignmouth and more widely across the UK and Europe.

It said these firefighters are highly trained and balance the role with their main jobs and personal commitments while helping protect their communities.

The fire station said it is actively recruiting and that new applicants are already progressing through the process, but added that more people are still needed.

Firefighters are urging anyone who lives or works in the Teignmouth area, can provide day and weekend cover, and wants to support the community to consider applying.

The station thanked residents for their support and understanding following the incident.

Plans for 39 homes near historic Viking site thrown out on appeal

CPRE Devon
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Plans for 39 homes near historic Viking site thrown out on appeal

Devon CPRE has welcomed a Planning Inspector’s decision to dismiss an appeal made by a developer who wanted to build houses on agricultural land in Northam, near a Viking battle site – a proposal that both the charity and residents had objected to.

Bloody Corner is thought to be the site of a battle between Danes and Saxons in AD 878, in which the Viking King Hubba was killed. A Grade-II-listed Stone Tablet nearby dates from the 19th century and is said to commemorate the location of the Viking battleground or the Battle of Northam in around 1069.

Torridge District Council and a Planning Inspector had refused earlier outline proposals for up to 39 homes in this location because of concerns about the impact on the Coastal and Estuarine Zone of the North Devon and Torridge Local Plan. Developments within the zone should only be supported if they do not detract from the unspoilt character and appearance of the area.

The latest application was refused again by Torridge District Council and, again, the applicant appealed the decision, arguing that the scheme met council policy because of the lack of a five-year land supply for new homes.

But this latest appeal dismissal concluded that housing would urbanise the semi-rural setting of the stone tablet, diminishing its interpretation and undermining its significance. The inspector said that, for these reasons, the proposal would ‘have a harmful effect on a heritage asset. As such, it would conflict with Local Plan policy ST14, which requires protection of the historical dimension of the landscape’.

Aside from the impact on landscape and heritage assets, the appeal also considered whether the proposal would accord with the spatial strategy of the Development Plan. In conclusion, the inspector said, “I consider that the adverse impacts of granting permission would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in the Framework read in the round.”

Devon CPRE Director Penny Mills says, “We are delighted with the Inspector’s conclusions, which accord with the views of Devon CPRE, local people and the Residents’ Association. This is not a suitable site for housing, even though a third of the proposed homes were characterised as ‘affordable’ and there’s a need for such homes in North Devon and Torridge. But new homes need to be built in the right place.

“It’s quite rare nowadays for an appeal to be dismissed, and we couldn’t be more pleased that it has been. The Inspector’s considerations make interesting reading in respect of the emerging Neighbourhood Plan, the North Devon and Torridge Local Plan and the perceived harm to the semi-rural setting of the historic stone tablet.”

Arson warning after Exmoor blaze leaves three fire engines tied up

Devon Today
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Arson warning after Exmoor blaze leaves three fire engines tied up

Concerns are growing over a suspected pattern of deliberate fires on Exmoor after another blaze drew emergency crews away from surrounding communities.

Three fire engines were sent to a fire on Ridge Road on the Devon-Somerset border on Thursday, April 16, while high winds were affecting the area.

The latest incident has renewed concerns about pressure on emergency services, with warnings that appliances tied up at moorland fires are then unavailable for potentially life-saving callouts in nearby towns and villages.

James Wright, an Exmoor farmer and campaigner, said he saw the blaze while travelling to a meeting in Dulverton.

James said: “Three fire engines were tied up here, which means they were not available for life saving emergencies in Dulverton, Minehead, or Bampton.

“This is not an isolated event. This has been happening for months. There was even a fire deliberately set on Christmas Day, taking firefighters away from their families to deal with a senseless act of arson.”

He said it was important to distinguish between lawful land management and the incidents that have caused concern.

James said: “It is important to understand that responsible burning is a vital land management tool that is not done enough, but this is absolutely not what this is.

“These are deliberate acts that ignore safety and common sense. There are clearly an individual or individuals responsible for repeatedly setting these fires, and they must be caught before someone is hurt.”

A white Transit tipper truck was reportedly seen near Ridge Road around the time the fire was set.

Police have been notified and residents and visitors are being urged to stay alert and report any suspicious activity.

The concern is that any further incidents could place more strain on fire crews serving the wider Exmoor area.

Retail crime soars nearly 200 percent as MP warns shops cannot cope

Devon Today
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Retail crime soars nearly 200 percent as MP warns shops cannot cope

A surge in shoplifting has left businesses counting the cost, with thousands of offences recorded and fewer than one in five cases leading to charges — prompting warnings that struggling high streets cannot endure the pressure.

New figures show shoplifting offences recorded by Devon and Cornwall Police have risen sharply over the past five years, increasing from 3,813 cases in 2020/21 to 11,114 in 2024/25 — a rise of 191.48%.

Despite the increase, just 19.65% of recorded cases in 2024/25 resulted in a charge, raising concerns that many offenders are avoiding justice.

Ian Roome said small businesses in the area “simply cannot afford for this to continue”, while also praising local police efforts to tackle the issue.

In Barnstaple, where shoplifting is among the most commonly reported crimes, measures have been introduced to address the problem. These include the UK Partners Against Crime system, which allows shops to report offences more easily and identify repeat offenders.

Police said the scheme has contributed to recent progress, including a fall in recorded shoplifting in the town in January. However, under-reporting of lower-value theft remains a concern.

Ian said: “Shoplifting is a real problem for businesses across North Devon, and is one of the most commonly reported crimes in Barnstaple.

“There has been real work locally to turn things around. I have met with our local police and I know they are working hard alongside businesses, and recent progress in Barnstaple shows that change is possible. Schemes like UKPAC are helping, and it is encouraging to see signs that these efforts are making a difference.

“But we need to build on this. Hardworking shopowners are already fighting to survive rising costs and business rates, they should not have to worry about shoplifting too. This is a direct result of years of Conservative cuts to community policing, and Labour must fix this.

“I will continue to work with our local police force and businesses to champion neighbourhood policing here in North Devon so that our local shoppers and shopkeepers are kept safe.”

The MP is backing calls for a return to community policing, including a proposed “police counter promise” to guarantee a staffed police desk in local communities.

The Liberal Democrats have also raised concerns about the wider pressures facing small businesses, including rising energy costs, business rates and increases to National Insurance contributions. The party has called for a 5p VAT cut for hospitality businesses and reform of the business rates system.

Families welcome upgraded play areas after major investment

Torridge District Council
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Families welcome upgraded play areas after major investment

Torridge District Council is pleased to announce that four play areas in East-the-Water, Bideford; Hartland and Winkleigh have recently been opened following £210,000 worth of refurbishment works.

At Pollyfield, East-the-Water, Bideford, the Council has worked in partnership with the Pollyfield Community Centre to refurbish the infant play area. The Pollyfield Community Centre and local councillors have supported the project with some amazing fundraising events, alongside S106 housing development funds and Council Contribution, to ensure that a more interactive and usable space is now available for the community. 

In Winkleigh, Elms Meadow has undergone a total refurbishment programme receiving all new equipment, with Westcotts Drive gaining a new multi-unit with surfacing and a new bench. In Hartland, the Northgate Play Area has received a significant upgrade.

The Winkleigh and Hartland sites have been funded by the Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund.

Councillor Lyndon Piper, Lead Member for Leisure, Torridge District Council, said: “Play has a vital role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our children and young people and these upgraded facilities provide much needed free spaces for families to enjoy together.  We thank all the communities involved for their patience during the works and look forward to seeing these play parks filled with fun, energy and laughter.”

MP demands doctors first as housing boom outpaces local GP services

Devon Today
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MP demands doctors first as housing boom outpaces local GP services

A growing housing boom is piling pressure on already stretched GP services, with calls mounting for developers to deliver doctors alongside new homes.

New analysis shows GP surgeries in North Devon are now serving an additional 5,046 homes compared with 2015, marking a 44% increase in demand.

The findings come as the Liberal Democrats set out plans to ensure new housing developments are matched with new or expanded GP surgeries.

The party said the proposal would guarantee investment in local healthcare infrastructure, amid figures showing around 1,300 GP surgeries have closed nationwide between 2015 and 2025.

Under the plan, developers would be required to fund new facilities and cover the cost of GP contracts or salaried doctors while new communities are still forming. The aim is to ensure services are in place as soon as the first homes are occupied, rather than after demand has already surged.

The proposal forms part of what the party describes as an “infrastructure first” approach, alongside a wider campaign to improve access to GP appointments, including a target of being seen within seven days, or within 24 hours for urgent cases.

Ian Roome said: “North Devon badly needs more homes, but we cannot continue to see development go ahead without the doctors, dentists and other local services needed to support it.

“Anyone can see the pressure this puts on our communities. We already have long-standing access problems in more rural areas like Lynton and Witheridge and our health services are already overstretched.”

Ian added: “If hundreds of homes are being built in places like Brynsworthy, Roundswell or Bideford, local people should be able to ask a very simple question: where is the extra GP provision to go with them?

“Councils and local communities should be given the powers to hold developers’ feet to the fire and demand the local doctors surgeries we so badly need.

“That is why I am launching a campaign to get our local NHS back on track, by building and delivering the services our communities need and ensuring new homes always go hand in hand with more GPs.”

The party also pointed to research from the London School of Economics suggesting that declining GP provision and surgery closures can affect public trust, with areas experiencing reduced access seeing increased support for more extreme political movements.

Data referenced in the analysis is available at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KfqC6PfAq1o7MkT12cwbYd7Dq5di82BH/edit?gid=2039040397#gid=2039040397

Pupils turn the page as school library dream becomes a reality

Devon Today
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Pupils turn the page as school library dream becomes a reality

A quiet corner of a school has been transformed into a gateway to imagination after pupils helped turn their wish for a dedicated reading space into reality.

Children at East Allington Primary School are celebrating the opening of a new library, created after pupils asked for a central, calm space where they could read and explore a wider range of books.

The project was supported by the school’s parent, teacher and friends association (PTFA), which helped convert a room previously used for occasional meetings into a purpose-built library designed to encourage reading and focused study.

Pupils played a key role in developing the space, taking part in a sponsored read to raise money for new books. The funds allowed the school to expand its collection with hundreds of titles, introducing new authors, series and genres while replacing older classroom books.

An Usborne Book Fair, also organised by the PTFA, provided further opportunities for pupils to engage with a variety of texts and choose books that interest them.

Reading remains a priority at the school, alongside phonics teaching in the early years. Staff say the new library is already helping to build pupils’ confidence and enjoyment in reading.

Liam Fielding, executive headteacher at East Allington Primary School, said: “Our new library is a wonderful addition to the school and is already inspiring our pupils to read more and explore a wide range of books.

“We are so grateful to our PTFA and families whose support has made this possible. This library is a space where children can learn, relax, and develop a lifelong love of reading.”

Matthew Shanks, chief executive officer of Education South West, said: “It’s fantastic to see pupils’ voices shaping their learning environment in such a meaningful way.

“The new library at East Allington Primary not only nurtures a love of reading but also fosters curiosity, imagination, and lifelong learning.

“Congratulations to the staff, pupils, and PTFA for creating such a welcoming and inspiring space.”

Major works completed as Dawlish gets boost to water quality

South West Water
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Major works completed as Dawlish gets boost to water quality

South West Water has completed a number of major works in Dawlish as part of a multi-million pound investment to improve water quality by reducing the use of storm overflows in the area.

Two new storm storage tanks have now been installed at The Lawn and Sandy Lane which can hold up to 2.2 million litres of stormwater each.

These huge tanks will capture excess flows in the sewer network during periods of heavy rainfall and store them until there is capacity in the treatment works for full treatment.

Further work has been completed across the town to help improve the performance of the network, including surface water separation works at West Cliff and Exeter Road, which will reduce the amount of rainwater entering the sewer system.

A new pump chamber and control systems for the storm tanks have also been installed, along with a new sewer connection to the tank at The Lawn.

Dawlish Storm Overflow

And work to address groundwater entering existing pipework in Dawlish, which can place additional pressure on the network, has also now been completed.

With the main construction phase of the Dawlish project nearing completion, work is now focused on reinstating the sites, including laying turf, removing hoardings, and rebuilding affected areas to give them back to the community by the summer.

Chris Bradford, South West Water’s Project Manager for Dawlish, said: “We’re really pleased to have reached these key milestones in Dawlish. Installing the storm tanks and completing the surface water overflows in the future. As we move into the final stages of this project, our focus is on reinstating the areas we’ve worked in and ensuring the community can enjoy them again as we head into the summer.”

Councillor Anthony James, Mayor of Dawlish , added: “This has been a really positive project for the town. Communication from the teams on site has been clear, consistent and proactive throughout, and its been of this work will be significant for our community. It’s great to see the storm tanks now in place and the teams working to get the final works completed so this area can be returned back to the town.”

South West Water’s scheme in Dawlish is being delivered as part of its record £760 million Turning the Tide programme, which aims to reduce the use of storm overflows across the region over the next four years.

View more information and updates on South West Water’s work in Dawlish

Exmoor businesses head to Westminster for major food showcase

Devon Today
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Exmoor businesses head to Westminster for major food showcase

Businesses from across Exmoor are in Westminster as part of a special showcase event in the House of Commons, hosted by local MP Rachel Gilmour.

The Flavours from Exmoor event, taking place today in the Jubilee Room, brings together a small number of producers and organisations to represent the strength and diversity of Exmoor’s food and drink offer on a national stage.

Attending organisations include Visit Exmoor, Exmoor National Park, Exmoor Distillery, Black Bear Brewery, Exmoor Game School, Wellhayes Vineyard, the Hill Farming Network and Exmoor Tea. In addition, two finalists from the 2025 Exmoor Young Chef competition will be in attendance, celebrating their success and highlighting the work being done by Visit Exmoor and partners to promote career opportunities within the hospitality sector.

Rachel Gilmour MP said: “It has been my privilege to work with Visit Exmoor to plan this incredible event. I am delighted to be bringing food and drink manufacturers from across Exmoor to the House of Commons, to showcase some of their incredible products, as well as the stunning scenery included within the ‘Exmoor Farms: A Year on the Moor’ book, through the Exmoor Hill Farming Network.

“I hope that many Parliamentarians will attend, to truly get a flavour of Exmoor, and hear directly from my constituents about the critical role they play in the visitor economy on Exmoor, which is a major driver of employment in my constituency. Having these fantastic local businesses in the House of Commons is going to be really special for me.

“I am very much looking forward to the conversations which will flow from this event, across all parties, to really show that Exmoor is a part of the South West’s past, present and future, whether it is through agriculture, tourism, or the wider Exmoor economy. I hope that this will be a timely reminder that the rural economy is its own powerhouse and deserves to be treated as such.”

The event provides an opportunity for parliamentarians, advisers and industry stakeholders to engage directly with businesses that play a central role in Exmoor’s visitor economy.

Tourism and the wider visitor economy generate over £630 million of economic activity each year across Exmoor, with food and drink forming a critical part of the overall offer that attracts visitors to the area. The businesses attending the showcase represent a key part of that experience, from local producers through to visitor experiences.

Visit Exmoor, the official organisation supporting the visitor economy for the Exmoor area and part of the Somerset and Exmoor Local Visitor Economy Partnership aligned with VisitEngland, has worked with partners to bring together businesses from across the area to ensure strong representation of Exmoor’s food and drink sector at the event.

Emma Thomasson, Chief Executive of Visit Exmoor, said: “This is a valuable opportunity to represent Exmoor at a national level and to highlight the role that our businesses play within the visitor economy. Local provenance, food and drink are a vital part of what attracts people to Exmoor, and the businesses attending are a core part of that offer.

It also gives us a platform to highlight both the challenges and the opportunities to grow our rural visitor economy, and the importance of supporting the small businesses at the heart of it, where the visitor economy underpins jobs, investment and long term sustainability.”

The showcase builds on previous successful events in Parliament, which generated strong media coverage and raised the profile of Exmoor businesses both locally and nationally.

Community rows beyond limits as Tiverton event smashes 100km goal

Devon Today
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Community rows beyond limits as Tiverton event smashes 100km goal

An Olympic return with a community twist saw a former athlete revisit his roots — helping power a fundraising effort that brought a town together.

Five-time Olympian Chris Maddocks joined young people, youth workers and local supporters at Tiverton Youth Centre’s Row-A-Thon, where participants collectively rowed more than 100km to raise money for a summer activities programme.

The event, held on Thursday, April 16, saw the community attempt to row the distance to “outer space” using rowing machines set up outside the town’s police station between 12pm and 6pm.

Participants take part in Tiverton Youth Centre’s Row-A-Thon fundraiser
(Credit : Submitted)
Devon County Council member Steve Lodge takes part
(Credit : Submitted)
Chris Maddocks takes part in Tiverton Youth Centre’s Row-A-Thon fundraiser
(Credit : Submitted)
Participants take part in Tiverton Youth Centre’s Row-A-Thon fundraiser
(Credit : Submitted)

Chris, who competed at five Olympic Games between 1984 and 2000, took part after reconnecting with the youth centre following a post he shared about his teenage years. He had previously taken part in the centre’s historic 50-mile fundraising run, first competing aged 14 before going on to complete it five more times — winning the final two events, including one in a record time of six hours and 15 minutes at the age of 18.

After a chance meeting outside the leisure centre, Chris was invited back to the youth centre by lead youth work practitioner Jenni Surridge, who encouraged him to get involved in the latest fundraiser.

The Row-A-Thon saw young people aim to reach a 100km target, supported by members of the public who were invited to take part, donate or cheer on those rowing. A bake sale was also held alongside the challenge to help boost funds.

Money raised from the event will go towards Tiverton Youth Centre’s summer youth activity programme, which offers subsidised trips and activities to ensure all young people can take part regardless of their circumstances.

Jenni said the programme includes organised outings to venues such as Woodlands and Ultimate Adventure, alongside activities hosted at the centre and in local parks during school holidays.

Organisers also confirmed that donations remain open via https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/rowtospace.

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