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Charity appeal raises £1.4m for new Exeter hospital theatre

Royal Devon Hospitals Charity
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Charity appeal raises £1.4m for new Exeter hospital theatre

A fundraising appeal for a new state-of-the-art operating theatre at the Royal Devon & Exeter (Wonford) Hospital has hit its £1.4million target in less than 18 months.

The money raised through Royal Devon Hospitals Charity’s (RDHC) Super Theatre Appeal has paid for ultra-modern imaging technology set to revolutionise surgery for thousands of patients across Devon.

The new theatre, known as a hybrid theatre, is already delivering safer, faster and more precise surgery at the hospital. 

With construction completed just before Christmas, it enables surgeons to perform complex, minimally invasive procedures with real-time image guidance, improving outcomes for those with serious vascular conditions, such as aneurysms, arterial blockages and blood clots. 

The technology reduces the need for open surgery, multiple operations and travel out of area. It is estimated that it will enable the hospital to treat around 1,200 extra patients a year, reducing waiting times for everyone, including cancer and urgent surgery patients. 

Hannah Travers, Consultant Vascular Surgeon, said: “For patients, it means fewer procedures, reduced risk of complications, faster recovery times after surgery, and less time spent in hospital. 

“For the surgical team at the Royal Devon, it means we can deliver the care that we were trained to give using the most modern and advanced surgical techniques. 

“The new theatre is an absolute game-changer and we are so grateful to the local community for helping us to deliver this life-saving facility.” 

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust secured £5.1m of national NHS funds to build the theatre, with the hospital charity raising the money for the imaging technology that goes beyond what the NHS is funded to provide. 

Lucy Ashton, RDHC Head of Charity, said the charity was proud to have made such a vital contribution to help make the project a reality. 

“We can’t thank the local community enough for rallying behind this appeal and helping us to deliver an incredible new facility that will save lives and do so much to enhance patient care for generations to come,” she said.

“Our fundraising appeal only went live in October 2024 and came hot off the back of a successful appeal to support a new Children’s ED area at the hospital, so to have been able to raise so such money in such a short amount of time is simply phenomenal.

“This has been one of the charity’s biggest-ever fundraising initiatives to date and shows what we can achieve together to enhance patient care beyond what’s possible with NHS funding alone.

“We are excited to be able to share more about the theatre and the impact it’s already having over the coming months and are busy planning an official celebratory launch event later in the year.”

Sam Higginson, Royal Devon Chief Executive, said the NHS is facing significant challenges with waiting times and the new theatre will free up space across the 10 existing theatres at RD&E (Wonford).

“We have made significant progress in reducing our waiting lists, but we still have patients waiting much longer to be treated than any of us would like,” he said. 

“We prioritised funding towards the building of the new operating theatre to ensure thousands of our patients can get the care they need in the right place, at the right time.

“The money raised by our hospital charity has helped us to make the best of this new space and make it a truly ‘super’ by equipping it with the latest technology that could not be afforded within the Trust’s annual capital allocation.”

Recycling changes coming as new materials added to kerbside service

Torridge District Council
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Recycling changes coming as new materials added to kerbside service

Torridge District Council is introducing important changes to its recycling services from 1st April 2026 as part of its ongoing commitment to improving safety and expanding the range of materials residents can recycle.

From this date, cartons (Tetra Paks) will be accepted as part of the district’s kerbside recycling service, in line with simpler recycling requirements. This includes items such as juice cartons, long‑life milk containers, soup cartons and other liquid food packaging. Residents should place cartons in their brown recycling bag, with caps left on, as they can be recycled together.

At the same time, the Council will no longer accept batteries in its weekly kerbside recycling collections. This change is essential to address the serious fire risks and environmental hazards posed when batteries are mixed with general recycling materials. Batteries can ignite if damaged or exposed to certain conditions during the recycling process, creating a significant fire hazard for collection crews, recycling facilities and the wider community. They also contain chemicals that can leak and contaminate other recyclable materials, making them unsafe and unsuitable for standard recycling streams.

Although batteries cannot go in your recycling bin, they can, and should, be recycled safely at dedicated collection points:

  • Recycling Centres – Local facilities have designated battery disposal areas, including Deep Moor, Bideford and Anvil Corner Recycling Centres.
  • Retail Collection Points – Many major retailers, such as supermarkets, chemists, charity shops and electronics shops have dedicated battery recycling bins.

To find your nearest battery recycling locations, use the Recycle Now search tool at: https://www.recyclenow.com/recycling-locator(opens in new tab).

The Council would also like to take this opportunity to remind residents to continue ‘washing and squashing’ all plastics before placing them in the green recycling box, which helps to maximise space and increase the amount that can be recycled.

Councillor Chris Leather, Lead Member for Operational Services at Torridge District Council, said: “Safety and sustainability are at the heart of these changes. Removing batteries from kerbside collections is essential to prevent fires and protect our crews, facilities and residents. At the same time, we’re delighted to introduce carton and Tetra Pak recycling, making it easier for households to recycle more of their everyday packaging. We encourage everyone to use the brown bag for cartons and to continue taking batteries to the dedicated drop‑off points across Torridge, helping ensure these materials are dealt with safely and responsibly.”

Devon set for 90 new electric buses after £7.5m funding boost

Devon County Council
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Devon set for 90 new electric buses after £7.5m funding boost

Around 90 new zero emission buses are to be delivered with £7.53 million of funding awarded to Devon County Council.

The latest Department for Transport investment, which is part of an expansion of existing Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) projects in the South West and South East, has been warmly received by Devon County Council.

The new fleet of zero emission buses will benefit thousands of passengers across Devon. They will replace older diesel vehicles, cutting harmful emissions to improve air quality and improve journeys for people travelling for work, education and healthcare.

Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity, said: “Our ambition is to encourage more people in Devon to travel by bus and this is a vital investment that can help upgrade our local bus network. Cleaner, greener buses benefit passengers and the environment, and the rollout of new electric buses will play a key part in tackling carbon emissions. Alongside our existing Bus Service Improvement Plan and, working in the future with the Devon & Torbay County Combined Authority and Torbay Council, this new funding from Government will support our ongoing investment to improve bus services and infrastructure in the county.”

The funding announcement builds on previous funding successfully secured from the ZEBRA scheme in 2024 and 2025 to deliver 51 electric buses, as well 14 additional vehicles funded through Devon’s Bus Service Improvement Plan funding.

Peter Knight, Managing Director at Stagecoach South West, said: “We welcome this funding, which represents another important step towards delivering a cleaner and more sustainable bus network for Devon. Working in partnership with Devon County Council, these new zero-emission buses will help us replace older diesel vehicles with modern electric alternatives, improving air quality while providing customers with quieter, more comfortable journeys. Investment like this is vital to supporting the transition to a greener fleet and encouraging more people to choose the bus for everyday travel across the county.”

Across England, the Government’s new investment of £73.2 million will deliver 484 zero emission buses, building on the existing ZEBRA programme which has already funded more than 2,500 cleaner buses nationally.

Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander MP, said: “Buses are the backbone of our public transport network, and passengers across Devon deserve a network they can rely on and be proud of. This funding will replace polluting diesel buses with new electric vehicles that will make a real difference to people’s daily lives, better connecting them to work, to healthcare and to opportunity, whilst cleaning up the air we all breathe. But this is about more than new buses. It’s about cleaner air for children walking to school and reliable connections for people getting about their daily lives, and I’m proud to back these communities’ ambition to deliver exactly that.”

Plymouth councillors put democracy lessons to the test with year six pupils

Devon Today
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Plymouth councillors put democracy lessons to the test with year six pupils

A classroom discussion on democracy turned into a lively question session when two city councillors stepped in to explain how decisions affecting communities are made.

Pupils at Drake Primary Academy, part of Reach South Academy Trust, welcomed councillors Sally Creswell and Mark Coker during a visit aimed at helping children understand how local government works.

Cllr Creswell, the cabinet member for education, skills and apprenticeships, and Cllr Coker, chair of the scrutiny management board, toured the school before speaking with year six pupils about their roles in the city council.

Pupils listen as councillors explain how local government works.
(Credit : Submitted)

They explained how councillors represent residents and how decisions affecting Plymouth are made at a city-wide level.

Pupils were also given the chance to ask questions about the responsibilities of councillors and the work they carry out in their communities.

The discussion provided an insight into how democracy works in practice and the role local leaders play in shaping their areas.

The visit also linked to the school’s wider focus on civic awareness and responsibility. Through its programmes, Drake Primary Academy encourages pupils to understand right from wrong, take responsibility for their behaviour, and recognise how they can contribute positively to their communities.

Jacqueline Stephens, executive headteacher at Drake Primary Academy, said: “We were delighted to welcome Councillors Coker and Creswell to Drake.

“The children were really engaged and asked some great questions about local government and community roles.

“Visits like this help reinforce the importance of democracy, respect, and responsibility, and show our pupils how they can make a positive contribution to the communities they live in.”

DEVON VOICES : “We cannot sit back and admire our successes”

Alison Hernandez
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DEVON VOICES : “We cannot sit back and admire our successes”

It is now nearly three years since councils across England were criticised for not doing enough to help victims of antisocial behaviour (ASB) by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO). 

Its ‘Out of Order’ report in 2023 called for councils to fully understand and use the powers they have to provide better support for victims of ASB and for improvements to partnership working between agencies. 

In Devon and Cornwall, councils have been doing just that and I’m extremely pleased to see the hard work being put in is paying off. By working alongside our local policing teams to tackle persistent ASB, councils are making great progress, and those ongoing efforts are now being seen within our communities. 

ASB is not an issue that can be handled just by one agency; it needs addressing from all angles. Police enforcement, such as hot spot policing, is just one important piece of the bigger picture.  

My office has recently posted some incredibly insightful reels on our social media platforms showing the impact of hot spot patrols in our towns and cities. Just one example is in Truro. The fantastic work being carried out by Cornwall Council ASB Caseworker, Stephen Lennon, was highlighted by showing how he plays a key role in co-ordinating Truro’s joined up response with police and other partners to tackle persistent offenders. 

In the five years that Stephen has been in post, 16 Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) have been issued within Truro. One of these orders can make specific behaviours a criminal offence for that person only. For example, one man in Truro is currently prohibited from entering certain roads or wearing face masks for three years, and will be arrested if caught doing so.  

Three orders each year might seem small numbers but if you delve deeper, it is evident that thanks to close partnership working, shop staff and residents report noticeable improvements over the past couple of years.  

The decision to impose these orders on someone is not taken lightly because it is life limiting. They are the final tool in Stephen’s armoury to deal with repeat offenders causing significant harm and are only used when all other attempts to engage and change a person’s behaviour have failed.  

The ultimate aim is reducing ASB and protecting the public, but Stephen and colleagues must balance that with an individual’s right to live freely. Before getting to the point where a person is given a CBO by a magistrate, they are issued with ASB stage 1 and 2 letters, followed by Community Protection Warnings and then Community Protection Notices.  

For an order to be granted, the behaviour must be persistent and proven the punitive measures are proportionate to the level of harm inflicted on others.  

Unlike ASB Orders (ASBOs) which came before, Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) often include a requirement for positive actions from a person as well as punitive conditions. For instance, mandating someone to attend counselling sessions.  

Stephen always tries to work with perpetrators so they realise the impact of their actions, while also bringing in other agencies to support with housing, addiction and employment. If a person does not have those fundamental things sorted, a warning will not have a meaningful effect. It really involves a holistic and tailored approach to create long-lasting change.  

In 80 per cent of cases involving young people committing ASB in Truro given a stage 1 warning, that initial letter was sufficient to stop further offending. Approximately 160 warnings have been distributed since 2021, to youths and adults combined.  

On top of enforcement action, Stephen, rangers and police officers aim to identify issues while on hotspot patrols and implement problem solving measures. For example, on one of Truro’s busy town centre shopping streets, there were benches that were being used by large groups of street drinkers throughout the day which stopped others using them for more genuine reasons.  

Stephen worked with Truro City Council to get them removed and since then, business owners near that area have reported an increase in footfall, and shop staff have felt safer while opening and closing.   

I want to pass on my deep gratitude to Stephen, the local neighbourhood team and town rangers for the strong work happening in Truro to keep residents and visitors safe, which is being replicated in places over Devon and Cornwall.   

Even so-called ‘low level’ nuisance behaviour, if repeated regularly, can take a toll on an someone’s mental health. If people are apprehensive about visiting our town centres, businesses suffer which, in turn, impacts our region’s economy. The consequences of ASB reach further than first meets the eye.  

That is why I have been determined to reduce this behaviour by investing in multi-agency Street Focus projects in Torquay and Camborne, by funding a dedicated lawyer to help bring cases against perpetrators and by putting money towards organisations that support addiction recovery across Devon and Cornwall.   

ASB affects us all at some point in our day or life from a direct impact on people’s actual safety to our feelings of safety.  It is also the issue that people most frequently tell me they want the police to prioritise.   

I certainly acknowledge there are challenges which Truro residents are rightly worried about, and I know these concerns are echoed in towns up and down the South West. Statistics show our region is still one of the safest, but we cannot sit back and admire our successes. We must continue to identify offenders and act against them and carry on this upward trajectory. That is what I will work with the force and partners to achieve during 2026 and beyond. 

Bideford landmark restored as wine bar and guest accommodation

Ray Smith
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Bideford landmark restored as wine bar and guest accommodation

A historic building in Cooper Street, Bideford has been brought back to life as a wine bar, restaurant and guest accommodation following an extensive renovation.

The Patch Wine Bar & Kitchen opened in November after owner Ali undertook a major restoration of the former Patch and Parrot premises, which had fallen into serious disrepair after years of closure.

The building had been closed for a number of years before eventually being sold at auction three years ago, although redevelopment did not take place at that time. It later returned to auction, where it was purchased by Ali, who has now overseen its restoration and reopening.

Ali said keeping the building’s historic name was an obvious decision.

“Everyone already knew it as The Patch,” he said. “It used to be the Patch and Parrot, so there was no point giving it some fancy new name.”

Work to restore the building revealed just how much structural damage had occurred over time.

“When we started opening things up, some of the ceilings had been shut for decades and half of one ceiling was already on the floor,” Ali explained.

“Once we started digging into the floors we found some of the joists had completely rotted away because the roof had been leaking for so long.”

In one upstairs room, Ali said the floor structure had deteriorated so badly that the floorboards were effectively holding the room together.

“When we lifted the boards the joists going into the front wall were basically gone,” he said. “Someone could easily have fallen through.”

Rather than strip out the character of the building, Ali chose to retain many of its original features.

During the renovation, ceilings that had hidden the structure for decades were removed, revealing large timber beams which were sanded and restored.

“I got up here and sanded and oiled all the beams,” he said. “You’ve got the original beam there which looks fantastic.”

Some visitors believe the beams may even have come from ships, reflecting Bideford’s long maritime history, although Ali says that remains speculation.

“Some people think they’re beams from ships, maybe from a mast or something, but who knows.”

Other historic elements have also been kept, including original windows, curved seating and the tiled floor in the main bar.

“This floor was lovely,” Ali said. “It might have looked a bit of a mess when we started but it’s original and it’s been here forever, so there was no point changing it.”

Among the discoveries during renovation were items from the building’s former skittle alley.

“We found the old skittles here,” Ali said. “They were part of the skittle alley that used to be in the building.”

The distinctive curved seating area in the main room has also been retained, something Ali says many locals remember from the building’s earlier life.

Inside, the venue now includes several different spaces, creating a series of intimate rooms.

“It’s a bit like a warren,” Ali said. “You’ve got the garden, upstairs rooms and lots of little spaces where people feel like they’ve discovered somewhere special.”

Upstairs the building also includes a function room and three letting suites which are currently being completed and will operate as guest accommodation.

The rooms include both couple suites and a larger family suite with two bedrooms.

Ali said the concept behind the venue was to create somewhere in Bideford where people could enjoy a relaxed glass of wine and a meal.

“Bideford has loads of good pubs where you can go for a pint,” he said. “But there are very few places where you can take your wife for a glass of wine and a nice meal.”

Food at The Patch includes rotisserie chicken and a selection of traditional pies.

Ali said he spent considerable time developing the pie offering, even travelling across Devon searching for the right supplier before eventually creating his own recipe.

“I wanted a proper pie all the way around,” he said.

The venue opened in November in time for the Christmas season, although work was still ongoing.

“We opened to catch the Christmas bookings,” Ali said. “In fact when we opened the back door wasn’t even fitted yet – we just needed to start getting some money coming in.”

Since opening, he said the venue has attracted a relaxed crowd looking for something different from a traditional pub.

“We’ve been careful not to turn it into a shots-and-silly-things place,” he said. “It’s naturally become more of an over-30s, over-40s venue and we’ve had a really nice clientele.”

Reflecting on the project, Ali also offered advice to homeowners and investors considering their own property renovation.

“You’ve got to love it. With old buildings you have to see through to the potential — through the delays, the challenges and the things you don’t expect along the way. There’s always something hidden and it always costs more than you think. This place is a bit like the TARDIS — it’s much bigger than it looks from the outside.”

Repeat drink driver jailed after being caught behind wheel again

Isabelle Pinnock
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Repeat drink driver jailed after being caught behind wheel again

 37-year-old man has been sentenced to 21 weeks in prison for two counts of drink driving and failing to provide a breath sample.

Carl Skinner, of Ash Thomas, Tiverton, was caught drink driving on multiple occasions after being refused service when trying to buy alcohol.

The prosecution at Exeter Magistrates’ Court heard that on June 10, 2024, Skinner was reported by members of staff at a Lidl store in St Austell, Cornwall, after he was refused the sale of alcohol due to him appearing intoxicated. He was then seen driving off in a Ford transit van.

When police caught up with the defendant, he pulled over but drove off again when officers approached him, absconding down a slip road to nearby public gardens.

When Skinner was eventually detained, he was unsteady on his feet and nearly fell over. The court heard he refused to provide a breath sample but then changed his mind.

After providing a positive roadside test, he was taken into custody where his blood sample showed 214 milligrams in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80.

On December 25, 2024, police received a call reporting concerns about a blue BMW near Cullompton at 2.45 in the morning.

Officers located Skinner in a summer house at the rear of his property and noted that he smelled of alcohol. He refused to provide a sample, and pulled the bed covers over his head, saying: “I know I’m being arrested for drink driving so somebody has stitched me up”.

On December 12 last year, security staff at a Tesco store in Tiverton called police as Skinner had entered the site with keys in his hand and appeared under the influence. After initially refusing to provide a sample, he was taken into custody where his breath test showed 121 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

The defendant, who works in livestock transportation, has two previous convictions for drink driving from 2014 and 2018.

A probation officer noted that he struggled to get a “full feeling of remorse” from the defendant, or “a proper sense of the risk he has put other road users to on repeated occasions”.

Caroline Salvatore, mitigating, said: “He doesn’t believe he has a problem with alcohol but at the same time agrees that alcohol is the root cause of this behaviour.

“He is remorseful though he may find it hard to show this.”

District Judge Smith sentenced him to a 21-week immediate prison sentence, as well as a six-year driving ban.

Upon sentencing, the judge said: “You have a high risk of reoffending and risk harm to the public.”

Skinner will also have to pay a victim surcharge of £154 and court costs of £250.

This story was produced via the Police & Crime Commissioner’s Criminal Justice Court Reporting scheme.

Council to step in after long delays to fix collapsed Dartmouth road

Devon County Council
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Council to step in after long delays to fix collapsed Dartmouth road

We will step in and repair a collapsed retaining wall beneath Warfleet Road in Dartmouth after long delays by the private landowner and their insurers.

The road has been closed since February 2024 after the privately owned wall collapsed below road level, making the road unsafe.

While the wall is not owned by the Council, repairs to the road could not go ahead until the wall was made safe.

After the collapse, the Council was told that the landowner’s insurer would manage the repairs. However, despite repeated requests, no designs or timescales were provided.

In July 2025 the Council was told quotes were being obtained, but it later emerged that the insurer’s claim had been closed.

However late last year the Council was told that the insurer would not be carrying out the repairs after all.

With no progress being made, the Council will now step in and carry out the works.

Councillor Dan Thomas, the Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “Residents have waited far too long for progress on Warfleet Road.

“We have been patient and followed due process, but our patience has now been exhausted. The works will require careful consideration of access to adjoining private land, we are committed to working with the local community to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.

“Our priority is to restore the road safely and pursue the recovery of taxpayers money.”

Local Councillor for Dartmouth and Marldon, Simon Rake, said: “I know how frustrating this closure has been for residents and businesses. I welcome this action and will continue to work with the Council to see Warfleet Road reopened as soon as possible.”

Former council depots in North Devon set to go under the hammer

Torridge District Council
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Former council depots in North Devon set to go under the hammer

Torridge District Council has announced today that two exciting opportunities to acquire former council depots will be available by online auction, closing on Wednesday 1 April 2026.

The depots are now surplus to requirements since the opening of the council’s brand-new Operational Services Centre, at East-the-Water, Bideford, earlier this year.

Westcombe Depot, Bideford, EX39 3JQ – is a large and versatile commercial/industrial building comprising a range of offices with ground floor commercial workshop, along with a two-storey detached house, all occupying a site that extends to just over half an acre.

The site presents scope for redevelopment or repositioning in line with prevailing local housing demand. Residential schemes in accessible North Devon locations remain attractive to regional developers and SME builders, particularly where brownfield or previously developed land is available. Interested parties are advised to make their own enquiries of the local planning authority regarding potential density, design parameters and any planning history.

Piper’s Yard Holsworthy, EX22 6BP – offers good sized yard space and a range of light industrial workshops and outbuildings occupying a site extending to 0.22 acres.

The site may lend itself to continued commercial use or alternative schemes, subject to obtaining the necessary planning permissions. Interested parties are advised to make their own enquiries with the local planning authority.

Copies of the legal pack and special conditions of sale are available online to be downloaded, via the tab on the online auction property listing page. It is the purchaser’s responsibility to make all necessary legal, planning and finance enquiries prior to the auction.

Further information about each of the properties available can be found on the auction website:

Westcombe Depot: Property Auctions | Cornwall, Devon & Somerset | 247 Property Auctions — 247PropertyAuctions

Piper’s Yard: Property Auctions | Cornwall, Devon & Somerset | 247 Property Auctions — 247PropertyAuctions

Exeter flat shut for three months after antisocial behaviour complaints

Devon and Cornwall Police
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Exeter flat shut for three months after antisocial behaviour complaints

A closure order has been issued to a residential property on Albert Street in Exeter, after the flat became a hotspot for anti-social behaviour; causing concerns for people living in neighbouring properties.

On 11 March 2026, a full closure order was granted by Exeter Magistrates Court and served at the flat, making it an offence for anyone to enter the address for a three-month period.

Police applied for the closure order following repeated reports of noise disturbances and suspected drug use at the address. Officers also received reports that there were lots of people visiting the property at all hours of the day, which caused residents to feel worried and intimidated. 

Inspector Dave Turner leads the neighbourhood policing team in Exeter. He said: “People living at this address – and their associates – caused relentless disruption to the neighbours.

“I am grateful to the local community for bringing this to our attention and for their support in evidencing the issues in court.

“A full closure order is now in place which prevents anyone from entering the property for three months, and I hope that this will restore peace and provide reassurance to people living in the area.”

This is the fifth closure order the neighbourhood policing team have issued to properties in Exeter this year.

Insp. Turner added, “We are committed to tackling anti-social behaviour and will continue to work closely with partner organisations to reduce crime that impacts our communities.”

Anyone with concerns or information about antisocial behaviour in their area should report it to using the reporting tool on the police website or by calling 101.

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