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Young linguists from Bideford impress judges at regional contest

Devon Today
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Young linguists from Bideford impress judges at regional contest

Three young linguists have put their school on the map after impressing judges with confident foreign language performances against stiff regional competition.

Pupils from Bideford College, part of Athena Learning Trust, secured top honours at the Modern Foreign Languages Annual Competition held in Pilton this month, competing against dozens of students from across the South West.

The event brought together 12 schools from Devon and Cornwall, with 66 competitors taking part across six categories. Bideford College entered two of the larger categories and achieved notable success.

Benji Wyke was named first runner-up in the Key Stage 3 non-native category after delivering a presentation about his family in Spanish.

Zachary Clitherow pictured with his award following the competition
(Credit : Submitted)

Zachary Clitherow received a special commendation for presenting in Spanish as a self-taught language, despite studying French at school.

Amélie Powell competed in the near-native French category, opening proceedings with a presentation that included references to Bideford’s history, such as the tobacco trade, local landmarks, charity shops and the last witches’ trial.

The team also won the “Name the Country Emoji” quiz, taking home a box of chocolates.

Dr Claire Ankers, principal at Bideford College and Atlantic Academy, said: “Languages open doors to new cultures, ideas, and ways of thinking.

“Seeing our students embrace Spanish and French with such confidence reminds me just how empowering learning another language can be.

“I am so proud of their achievements and the way they represent the joy of discovery in every word they speak.”

The annual competition aims to promote language learning across the region, encouraging creativity, confidence and cultural understanding among young people.

Public invited to NHS meeting on future of adult social care in Torbay

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
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Public invited to NHS meeting on future of adult social care in Torbay

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust’s Board of Directors will meet in public on Thursday 26 March 2026 at 5pm, where members will consider a paper on the future of Adult Social Care in Torbay.

The Board meets in public to carry out its formal business openly and transparently, with members of the public able to observe the discussion.

Meeting papers

Papers for the meeting will be published on Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust’s website on Friday 20 March 2026: Board, governors and annual members meetings – Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.

Asking a question

Members of the public are welcome to submit questions in advance of the meeting.

  • Please email questions to tsdft.communicationsteam@nhs.net
  • Include ‘Board question’ in the subject line
  • Questions must be received by 12 noon on Wednesday 25 March

To help the meeting run smoothly, questions may be grouped by theme. Responses will be published on Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust’s website following the Board meeting.

Attending the meeting

The meeting will be live streamed and people will be able to join online using the meeting link, which will be shared on our website ahead of the meeting.

Attendance in the room is prioritised for Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust governors and Torbay Council to support the effective running of the meeting.

Keeping informed

All meeting papers, the live stream link and published responses to questions will be available on Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust’s website.

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust is committed to being open and transparent, and to keeping our communities informed about discussions and decisions that affect local health and care services in Torbay.

Dainton Park golf captain raises thousands for children’s hospice

Children's Hospice South West
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Dainton Park golf captain raises thousands for children’s hospice

Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) is celebrating an amazing fundraising achievement by Gary Runham, 2025 Club Captain at Dainton Park Golf Club, who has raised an outstanding £9,250 during his year of captaincy.

Gary chose to support CHSW after hearing CHSW Area Fundraiser, Daniela Hopkins, speak passionately about the charity at a Stover Golf Club charity day in 2024: “Children’s Hospice South West first came to me when I played in a charity day at Stover Golf Club in the summer of 2024. I listened to Daniela Hopkins, Area Fundraiser for CHSW, talking with so much enthusiasm about the charity and how it supports the children and their families in many different ways,” Gary said. “My son‑in‑law, who also supports Children’s Hospice South West through his business, Cartwright Coffee, confirmed it would be a good choice as my charity, and so my decision was made.”

A member of Dainton Park Golf Club for 27 years, Gary played a central role in bringing the club community together throughout his captaincy. He organised a full programme of fundraising activities, including a Captain’s Day, several prize draws, and a joint quiz night with the Ladies Captain.

“Having visited Little Bridge House earlier in the year and seen the wonderful work they do, it has been a pleasure to raise the money for such a worthwhile cause in my year as Dainton Park Captain” he said.

Last week, Daniela joined Gary for a special cheque presentation at Dainton Park Golf Club, marking the impact of his efforts and the support of everyone involved.

“It’s been a pleasure to support Gary with his fundraising and it was an honour to accept this incredible donation from Gary on behalf of CHSW. What an amazing amount to have raised during his captaincy! The £9,250 will make such a meaningful difference, helping us continue to care for babies, children and young people with life‑limiting conditions, and to support their families when they need it most.”

CHSW would like to extend a huge thank you to Gary and the members of Dainton Park Golf Club for their incredible year of support and the vital funds they have raised.

Plymouth to launch new Local Plan shaping homes and growth for decades

Plymouth City Council
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Plymouth to launch new Local Plan shaping homes and growth for decades

Plymouth is to begin a brand new Local Plan that will shape the city’s growth, homes, economy, transport and environment for decades to come.

Plymouth City Council is kickstarting its ambitious new Local Plan, a statutory planning document that will guide the city’s future for decades, shaping everything from where new homes will be built to how communities grow, how people travel and how the city adapts to the huge opportunities ahead.  

Residents will be invited to help design Plymouth’s next chapter, with the first phase of public engagement beginning this summer and continuing throughout the plan’s development.  

Councillor John Stephens, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, said: “Development and growth don’t just magically happen. We need to make it happen and the Local Plan acts as a blueprint for the city. 

“We want a Local Plan that reflects the hopes, ambitions and everyday experiences of the people who live here. Plymouth is changing – through new homes, new industries, and major investment and we want residents shaping a city that works for them.  

“The Government wants to see economic growth writ large in the local plan as well as how we plan to address the national and local housing crisis – it’s hugely important that people feel involved. This is your city and your future.” 

As Plymouth is recognised not just for its strategic role in the region but also for its national security role, there is something particularly vital about this next Local Plan for Plymouth.   

Cabinet meeting on March 9 will hear more about the expectations on the new local plan and the process of creating a plan for the city.  The Government has introduced a new, faster and more focused system for producing Local Plans, giving councils just 30 months to complete them.  

Plymouth will formally start the process by June and unlock the chance to secure up to £120,000 in Government funding to support the work. Public engagement will start in the next few months, with residents asked to help shape the contents of the plan such as how future engagement on the plan should be carried out.  

This Local Plan will directly influence the availability of homes and the quality of neighbourhoods for years to come. The city urgently needs to boost housing supply and the plan will seek to identify the right places for new homes, while protecting important green spaces and strengthening local infrastructure.  

It will also support the city’s unique role as a centre for marine innovation and defence investment, shaping how Plymouth can grow jobs, attract investment and create new opportunities for young people in the years ahead.  

The City Living Framework, which is currently being developed, will feed into the new Local Plan as one of the ways the Council brings this vision to life.  

While the Local Plan sets out where all growth should happen, the City Living Framework focuses on the quality of that growth both within and surrounding the City Centre, the kind of homes we build there, the streets people walk down, and the neighbourhoods families will call home. It ensures that every new development across the city centre and surrounding areas contributes to a greener, safer and more vibrant Plymouth. 

Plymouth City Council has been recognised for its innovation and creativity on plan-making winning many awards – it is the only authority to have won the Royal Town Planning Silver Jubilee Cup three times.  

Many large scale expansions of new housing and industrial estates and transport and community infrastructure projects exist today because they were first conceived or promoted through past local plans.  

Local Plans have helped secure millions of pounds of funding to deliver the Derriford district centre, the Derriford Community Park; the Forder Valley link road and Forder Valley Interchange, the Derriford transport scheme, the Saltram countryside park and for Central Park.   

Much needed land for new housing has been allocated in local plans including at Manadon, Sherford, Morley Park, Seaton, and Woolwell; with existing employment land being protected alongside new land brought forward in Estover, Darklake View, Southway, Belliver, Coxside and Marsh Mills. 

Police dog teams sweep top three places at regional competition

Devon and Cornwall Police
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Police dog teams sweep top three places at regional competition

Devon & Cornwall Police dog section has come out top of the pack at the Regional Police Dog Trials 2026, securing an impressive first, second and third place against strong competition during a three-day event in Cleveland. 

Hosted by Avon & Somerset Police, the event took place between 26 and 28 February and saw highly trained police dog teams from Devon & Cornwall, Dorset, Avon & Somerset and South Wales Police be tested across a series of demanding scenarios designed to mirror real operational policing. 

Across three challenging phases, handlers and their dogs demonstrated the standards required of licensed police dogs, including tracking and property searches, building and open-land searches for suspects, emergency recalls and controlled “criminal work” scenarios such as pursuits, stand-offs and simulated attacks. Teams competed for a maximum of 1,000 points, with 700 required to qualify for the National Police Dog Trials. 

Sergeant Victoria Ritchie from Devon & Cornwall Police Dog Section said: “I am incredibly proud of all the handlers and their dogs. The dedication, commitment and professionalism they demonstrate day in, day out is reflected in these results.  

“Competing at regional level can be challenging, working under pressure, in front of judges and peers, in scenarios that don’t always go exactly to plan. Each of our handlers showed resilience, skill and an excellent partnership with their dogs throughout the three days.

“All three teams delivered outstanding performances across the trials, securing first, second and third place. This is a remarkable achievement and a real testament to the high standards our dog section maintains, both on the trials field and in live operational policing.”

Devon & Cornwall was represented by three dog teams: 

  • PC John Warren and PD Albert – Plymouth 
  • PC Noah Tilley and PD Gus – South Molton 
  • PC Luke Barnard and PD Sid – Ashburton 

PC John Warren and PD Albert took 1st place with 835 points, also winning the overall winners trophy, obedience trophy, criminal work trophy, phase 3 overall trophy and top new team at regional trials.  

PC Noah Tilley and PD Gus secured 2nd place with 807 points, also taking home the tracking trophy and phase 1 overall trophy.  

PC Luke Barnard and PD Sid finished 3rd with 804 points, also receiving recognition for the strongest bite during the criminal work phase. 

The narrow margins between scores highlighted the exceptionally high standard of competition across all participating forces. All three Devon & Cornwall teams qualified for the National Police Dog Trials, which will be held in West Yorkshire between 14–16 May 2026. Notably, this was the first time each of the teams had competed at regional level and they will now go on to represent the Force on the national stage.  

Devon & Cornwall Police congratulates the handlers and their dogs on their outstanding achievement and wishes them the very best of luck at the Nationals. 

New film urges Plymouth to reconnect with its fishing heritage

Devon Today
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New film urges Plymouth to reconnect with its fishing heritage

A new campaign encouraging Plymouth residents to rediscover locally landed fish launched on 12th March with the premiere of a short documentary film and one-night portrait exhibition celebrating the city’s working fishing fleet.

Titled ‘A Taste of the Salt’, the campaign by the Plymouth Fishing & Seafood Association (PFSA) debuted at The Box bringing together film, photography and key industry voices to highlight the people behind the boats that are still landing fresh fish in Plymouth every day. 

The launch event brought together fishermen, local businesses, policymakers and members of the community to watch the film and take part in a panel discussion exploring how more people can be encouraged to eat locally landed seafood. 

Panellists included Edward Baker (CEO of the PFSA), Caroline Bennett (Plymouth merchant and founder of Sole of Discretion), chef Matt Corner and Plymouth fisherman Steve Walker.

The short film, which features first-hand accounts from Plymouth fishermen about the realities of working in the industry today, is now available for the public to watch online at pfsa.uk/a-taste-of-the-salt.

Recent research conducted by PFSA and design partner Meor Studio suggests that many Plymouth residents remain unaware of how to access locally landed fish. The study found that 61% of residents do not know where to buy locally caught fish, while 68% mistakenly believe the Fish Quay has closed entirely.

Despite this, Plymouth remains one of England’s leading fishing ports, ranking fourth nationally by landings last year.

Edward Baker, CEO of the PFSA, said the campaign aims to rebuild the connection between the city and the fleet that has shaped its identity for centuries.

“Plymouth wouldn’t be Plymouth without its fishing fleet. The boats are still going out every day and landing great fish, but many people don’t realise how much is happening on their doorstep.

‘A Taste of the Salt’ is about celebrating the people behind the industry and helping residents reconnect with the fishermen who are still working here today.”

Opening the evening, Councillor Tudor Evans OBE, Leader of Plymouth City Council, reflected on the role of fishermen in the city, describing them as ‘too often talked about, but too rarely talked to’.

A central theme of the evening was how Plymouth can better reconnect its residents to the seafood landing daily in Britain’s Ocean City. 

Discussion during the panel highlighted several practical ideas for strengthening connections between consumers and the local fishing fleets. 

Andy Furzeland – Plymouth Inshore Fisherman
Antony – Plymouth Fisherman & PFSA_s youngest member
Caroline Bennett – Founder of Sole of Discretion
James Amora – Fish Processor
Joe Lynch – Rod and Line Fisherman
Lewis – Manager of RG Seafoods Ltd
Plymouth Fish Quay
RG Seafood
Rikki Down – Owner of Rex Down Fish Merchants Ltd
Sole of Discretion Office
Steve Walker and Guy
Steve Walker and Guy
Tony Heineman – Rod and Line Fisherman

Panel highlights included:

  • Caroline Bennett of Sole of Discretion emphasised the importance of clearer branding and provenance information, suggesting that fish could follow the same example of the meat sector in making it easier for consumers to see exactly where their seafood comes from. She also noted that presenting more fish as fillets could help shoppers move beyond the small number of species they typically recognise. 
  • Plymouth fisherman, Steve Walker, encouraged consumers to be more adventurous when buying seafood, explaining that unfamiliar species can often be just as, if not more, delicious than more commonly recognised fish. 
  • Chef Matt Corner highlighted the role of education in helping people feel more confident cooking seafood, suggesting that initiatives such as school programmes and hands-on learning like the ‘fish finger project’ could help younger generations engage more closely with the industry. 
  • Panellists also noted that rising fuel costs and other pressures mean smaller inshore boats could play an increasingly important role in the future of the industry, making consumer support for locally landed fish more important than ever. 
  • During questions from the audience, Sam Colton of Brunning Host Ltd, which operates The Bridge at Mount Batten and Turtley Corn Mill, highlighted how restaurants can help support the fleet as part of this wider industry collaboration. She explained that their restaurant champions local fish by naming the names of the vessels that caught it on the menus and featuring a ‘forgotten fish’ dish on their menu to help diners discover different fish. Panellists agreed that initiatives like this show how collaboration between fishermen, merchants, chefs, and retailers can help reconnect consumers with the seafood being landed on their doorstep. 

Councillor Tudor Evans OBE, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said initiatives like the campaign help highlight the role fishing continues to play in the city’s identity.

“Fishing is central to Plymouth’s story. Our fleet remains an important part of the city’s economy and culture, and many residents want to support it. Campaigns like this help people understand where their local fish comes from and how they can support those working in the industry.”

As part of the campaign, organisers are encouraging residents to rediscover locally landed seafood by visiting Fish Quay merchants such as Sole of Discretion, RG Seafoods and Rex Down, as well as Market Plaice in central Plymouth.

PFSA is also developing a Virtual Fishmonger service to help make Plymouth-caught fish easier for local consumers to find and buy. Residents can now sign up for updates about the forthcoming Virtual Fish Market at www.seafoodplymouth.co.uk.

Organisers say that choosing locally caught fish, sharing the campaign online and learning more about Plymouth’s fishing community are simple ways residents can help support the city’s fleet.

The ‘A Taste of the Salt’ film is now available to watch online at pfsa.uk/a-taste-of-the-salt. For further updates, follow @plymouth_pfsa on Instagram or @plymouthpfsa on Facebook.

Work progresses on Cullompton path ahead of major relief road build

Devon County Council
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Work progresses on Cullompton path ahead of major relief road build

Work is progressing well to create a new section of the Cullompton Community Association (CCA) shared-use path as part of the wider Cullompton Relief Road project.

The route for the path is now fully excavated and prepared for construction. Kerbs are currently being installed, marking an important step towards completing this part of the route ahead of the main construction work on the relief road, which is scheduled to start this summer.

This new path will link Meadow Lane to the previously constructed section by the sports pitches, forming part of a three-metre wide shared use tarmac path that will run the full length of the Cullompton Relief Road. Once complete, it will provide a high quality, safe and accessible route for walkers and cyclists, improving active travel connections across the area to recreational facilities including football pitches, the cricket pitch, and bowling green. To minimise disruption, the path is being delivered in phases.

As part of the Relief Road project, new public land, pathways and bridge connections are also being provided for the CCA. These improvements will help ensure the community remains well connected, with safe and convenient access to local facilities for years to come.

The ongoing preparatory work for the scheme will see overnight work carried out on CCA land this week (19 and 20 March).

Preparation of the site for the 1.3km road started in February, with ecological and archaeological work timed to be undertaken ahead of the bird nesting season and to meet strict ecological requirements.

Most of this work is being carried out during the daytime. However, because the latest work needed on the CCA land, just north of the football club, is along the boundary of the railway line, for safety reasons it needs to be carried out at night-time.

Work will only take place when rail services are not running.

Specialist contractors will undertake clearance work, supported on site by an ecologist to ensure wildlife is safeguarded, and that dormouse habitats are protected and managed.

Mid Devon District Council received funding from Homes England for the project, with Devon County Council acting as delivery partner to lead on developing the detailed design and land assembly for the scheme, as well as appointing contractors for the various aspects of work.

For more information please visit https://letstalk.middevon.gov.uk/cullompton-relief-road and https://www.devon.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/traffic-information/roadworks/cullompton-relief-road/ 

Crowds turn out as food festival makes long-awaited Lynton comeback

Lewis Clarke
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Crowds turn out as food festival makes long-awaited Lynton comeback

The stalls were steaming, the crowds were gathering and a long-awaited food festival finally made its return after four years.

Organisers said visitors turned out in strong numbers as the Lynton and Lynmouth Food Festival was held on Saturday, March 14. The date matches the 2026 calendar provided.

Laura Whitfield, from Whitfield Events, said it was the first food festival the team had run in four years.

Laura said: “So this is the first food festival that we have ran in four years. We love the South West. We think it’s got some of the best food producers in the whole of the UK, so we really want to try and curate a really great offering for visitors and the local community.”

She said Lynton Town Hall was well suited to hosting an event of that kind, pointing to both its indoor and outdoor space.

Laura said: “Obviously we’ve got the beautiful Lynton Town Hall here, which lends itself to events, especially ones like this. We’ve got the little outside area, fabulous area inside, everybody comments on how stunning the building is.”

She added that visitors could also make a day of it by exploring the area, including the Cliff Railway, shops and nearby Lynmouth.

Laura said: “Who does not want to spend the day in Lynton and Lynmouth, especially on a day like today, going for a walk, going on the Cliff Railway and heading down to Lynmouth, doing a spot of shopping. Lynton and Lynmouth has pretty much everything that you would need for a great day out.”

She said the event had been busy, with organisers relieved that people had made the trip.

Laura said: “It’s been amazing so far. So really nice and bustly, which is just amazing. We are out on a little bit of a limb in Lynton so it’s always a concern that if people will travel, but luckily the weather has been on our side today and people are here. They seem to be enjoying it, as you can smell that all the foods on the go and it’s been a great day so far.”

Lynton Food Festival (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Lynton Food Festival (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Lynton Food Festival (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Lynton Food Festival (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Lynton Food Festival (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Lynton Food Festival (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Lynton Food Festival (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Lynton Food Festival (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Lynton Food Festival (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Lynton Food Festival (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Lynton Food Festival (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Lynton Food Festival (Credit : Simon Ellery)
Lynton Food Festival (Credit : Simon Ellery)

Looking ahead, Laura said the only event currently booked by Whitfield Events in Lynton was its Christmas weekend festival at the end of November.

She said: “At the moment, we only have our Christmas weekend festival booked in so that is at the end of November. Again, here in Lynton, it’s in the town hall. That is a shopping weekend, so a big market in the town hall and all of the shops are open in the local area.”

Rural motorists in Tiverton and Minehead could get fuel duty lifeline

Lewis Clarke
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Rural motorists in Tiverton and Minehead could get fuel duty lifeline

Rachel Gilmour has urged the Treasury to consider extending a fuel duty relief scheme to Tiverton and Minehead, arguing that rising pump prices are hitting rural communities with few public transport alternatives.

The Tiverton and Minehead MP wrote to Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Daniel Tomlinson on Wednesday, March 18, asking him to consider whether the Rural Fuel Duty Relief Scheme could be expanded to cover parts of her constituency.

In her letter, Rachel said the constituency was “exceptionally rural”, with residents relying on private vehicles for work, hospital visits and school journeys.

She said only two per cent of the area was categorised as urban land, according to the House of Commons Library, and argued this left many constituents particularly exposed to increases in fuel prices.

Rachel also said some parts of the constituency faced high levels of deprivation, with areas ranked in the top 20 per cent on the Indices of Multiple Deprivation. She said this did not take into account the under-representation of rural deprivation within those data sets.

In the letter, she said: “This area deserves attention from Government when it comes to matters of the rural fuel duty relief scheme, and I would welcome a meeting with you at the earliest convenience to discuss how my constituents can receive the same relief as those living in the postcodes where this scheme is already in effect.”

She added that fuel prices in some parts of the constituency were rising on a near-daily basis and described the issue as a matter of “great urgency” for her and her constituents.

In a public statement, Rachel said: “Across the country, a select set of postcodes are eligible for the Rural Fuel Duty Relief Scheme – but none of them are in Tiverton and Minehead.”

She added: “Today, I wrote to the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, asking to meet with him about how the scheme might be extended to benefit my constituents.”

Rachel said the move “would be of immense value” to residents in what she described as an overwhelmingly rural constituency where public transport was “patchy at best”, adding that most people relied on cars for transport.

She also said: “With prices at the pump still rising after the US’s illegal actions in Iran, this move would be a welcome step in alleviating some of those cost pressures.”

Rachel said she looked forward to hearing from the minister and hoped to work with him on the issue in future.

Farmers sow seeds of income rethink with new payment pilot plan

Devon Today
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Farmers sow seeds of income rethink with new payment pilot plan

A group of farmers and food producers have put forward a plan that could reshape how agricultural livelihoods are supported, with proposals for regular payments designed to tackle financial instability across the sector.

The initiative, developed by farmers, growers and food producers across South Devon, outlines a proposed Basic Income for Farmers pilot aimed at improving livelihoods, strengthening local food systems and supporting more sustainable farming practices.

The proposal is the result of a community-led design process involving market gardeners, livestock producers, researchers and food system organisers from across the region. It sets out how a pilot scheme could provide regular unconditional payments to participants to help address widespread income insecurity.

Participants involved in the pilot proposal hold documents outlining the scheme
(Credit : Submitted)

Under the plans, between 25 and 100 farmers in South Devon would receive £1,440 per month over a period of three to five years.

Alongside the payments, the pilot would include collaborative support such as peer learning, shared resources, mentoring and assistance with transitions towards agroecological farming.

South Devon is described in the report as a hub for innovative farming approaches, with a high concentration of small-scale growers, regenerative farms and community food initiatives. Educational organisations, including the Apricot Centre’s School of Regenerative Agriculture, and networks such as the Landworkers’ Alliance, have contributed to training and connecting new entrants to the sector.

Workshop session showing collaborative design process behind the farming income pilot
(Credit : Submitted)

However, the report highlights ongoing challenges. Research cited shows that 61% of aspiring farmers in the South West struggle to access land, while 46% face difficulties securing finance.

The proposed pilot aims to explore whether direct income support could improve economic security, enable long-term planning, support sustainable careers and increase the amount of produce sold locally.

The project has now moved into its next phase, with organisers seeking partners and funding to bring the pilot scheme into operation. The full report, Basic Income for Farmers Pilot for South Devon: A community designed proposal, is available online.

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