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Concern grows for missing woman last seen in Exeter

Devon and Cornwall Police
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Concern grows for missing woman last seen in Exeter

We are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of 46-year-old Margaret Elston who was reported as missing from Exeter on the morning of 23rd February 2026.

She was last seen in Exeter on Friday 20 February.  She is believed to be travelling in a blue Ford Focus car with the registration EX17 WNA.

She is described as a white female, of a slim build, with dark shoulder length hair.

It is not known what clothes she is wearing.

If you have seen Margaret, or know of her whereabouts, please call us immediately on 999 quoting log 535 of 23/02/2026.

Lifeline school lost as parents speak of heartbreak

Lewis Clarke
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Lifeline school lost as parents speak of heartbreak

Parents have spoken of their devastation and anxiety after a fire tore through their children’s specialist school, leaving families fearing for the future of a “lifeline” many fought hard to secure.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed that the blaze at the Promise School was accidental. The investigation was carried out on Sunday, February 23, while firefighters continued to dampen hotspots. No injuries have been reported.

The fire was first reported on when flames and dense black smoke engulfed much of the school’s roof. At its height, 25 crews from across Devon and Somerset attended and worked throughout the night to extinguish the blaze.

The Promise School is a SEND school catering for up to 100 children with social, emotional and mental health needs. Since the fire, parents have expressed concern about the impact the disruption will have on pupils unable to attend mainstream schools.

Rachel and Quentin, CEO and principal of The Promise School stated after the fire: “We’ve been truly moved by the incredible outpouring of support for The Promise School during such a difficult time. Your kindness has wrapped around our whole team as we begin to process the loss of our lovely school.

“We feel so fortunate to be part of such a caring and generous community. Thank you for every message, gesture, and offer of help. It means more than we can say.

“We remain in close contact with our families and children and, together, we’ll rebuild, recover, and keep the spirit of our school alive.”

Devon County Councillor Denise Bickley, Cabinet Member with responsibility for services that support children with special educational needs and disabilities,  said the authority would do everything it could to support the school.

“This has been a deeply upsetting incident for children, families and the whole school community, and our thoughts are with everyone affected,” she said.

“We recognise how unsettling it must feel to face this level of disruption so suddenly.

“The Trust is leading the response, and we are working side‑by‑side with them to support the next steps and help ensure children can continue their education safely.”

Parents took to social media to both express their praise for the community, and devastation at what had happened.

Kat Carthew, whose child has attended the school since it opened, described the strength of feeling among families.

She said: “As a parent of a child who has attended the Promise School since it opened, I just wanted to say a huge thank you for all the incredible support and help for those of us affected.

“For us, it’s not just a school, it’s a lifeline, it’s a place that accepted our children with high educational needs, it’s a place that they belong.

“The teachers worked incredibly hard with my son, and they never gave up on him. And we are beyond devastated.

“We now have the worry of what the future holds for our children because it’s a huge battle to get these placements.

“We live in Tiverton but are so amazed by the support the Okehampton community is offering.”

Elizabeth Wilson, who also has a child at the school, said she understood “the struggles we now face and how everyone will be feeling”.

Jackie Sheppard said her son had yet to grasp the scale of what had happened.

She said: “I’m not sure my son has taken it all in yet, he just thinks it will all be back to normal soon, and he just gets an extra holiday off school.

“My son’s been there nearly two years, and without the promise, I don’t know where he would be.”

Victoria Heal said the uncertainty had left her feeling anxious.

She said: “As a fellow parent of a Child at Promise, I agree with everything you’ve said. I’m anxious as mum and anxious for my son to attend this very unpredictable time.

“It took us a long time to find the right school, and it’s been amazing. The teachers have worked so hard supporting all the children in the school.

“Hopefully, we can all support ourselves and our children through this difficult time.”

Shelley Corners said her son had travelled daily from Chudleigh to attend the school since it opened.

She said: “My son also attends this school. Absolutely shocked as to what’s happened.

“We live in Chudleigh hes travelled every day since it opened. He had personal belongings, including his electric guitar, there, but the main thing is no one was hurt or in the building and thank goodness it wasn’t on a school day.

“Still in shock, exams approaching, and the school were helping him with work experience coming up as he wants to be a barber.

“Everything is just uncertain now, and I feel so sorry for all affected. Regardless of any negative comments, this is a huge deal to SEND children as it’s a change and a routine now we have to cope with.”

Parents have also expressed concern on social media about the disruption to education for children with additional needs, many of whom secured places at the school after what families describe as lengthy and difficult processes.

MP launches SEND survey after major reform shake up

Lewis Clarke
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MP launches SEND survey after major reform shake up

Rebecca Smith, MP for South West Devon, has today launched a survey for families, carers and educators to share their experiences and views, following the publication of the Government’s Schools White Paper which sets out major reforms to the SEND system.

The reforms introduce significant changes to the SEND system including:

· EHCPs (Education, Health and Care Plans) will be reserved for children with the most complex needs.

· Many other children will move onto “individual support plans” (ISPs), which do not carry the same legal protections as EHCPs.

· Councils will have greater responsibility for school placements, while mainstream schools are expected to provide inclusive support.

· £4 billion of funding has been announced over three years to support these reforms, though questions remain about allocation and sustainability.

Speaking following the publication of the plan, Miss. Smith said: “These reforms are a major shift for children with SEND and their families. Every child deserves the right support and parents must have confidence that protections are not weakened and funding is delivered where it’s needed most.”

“This survey is your chance to make your voice heard. Whether you are a parent, carer, teacher or family member supporting a child with SEND, your experiences will help me hold the government to account and ensure these reforms truly work for the children who rely on them.”

The survey will gather insights on families’ experiences with EHCPs and local authority support, access to appropriate school placements and inclusive education, concerns about individual support plans and funding clarity and suggestions for improving the SEND system.

Miss. Smith concluded by saying: “I encourage everyone affected by SEND to take a few minutes to complete this survey. Your responses will directly inform my work in Parliament and help secure the safeguards that families need and deserve.”

The survey can be completed online here: www.rebecca-smith.org.uk/news/rebecca-launches-survey-hear-residents-send-support-and-reforms.

Pupils learn life lessons from 106-year-old former head

Lewis Clarke
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Pupils learn life lessons from 106-year-old former head

Pupils swapped the classroom for conversation when they paid a visit to a local care home – and left with a lesson from a 106-year-old former headteacher who credits her long life to “Devonshire clotted cream”.

Year 6 pupils from Whipton Barton Federation visited Cumberland Grange Care Home as part of their Civic Awards programme, spending time playing board games, chatting with residents and learning about life across generations.

Staff at the care home praised the children for the care, respect and maturity they showed throughout the visit.

A particularly memorable moment came when the group met Joan, a 106-year-old former headteacher. When asked her secret to a long life, she said: “Devonshire clotted cream.”

The visit forms part of Whipton Barton Federation’s work within the Ted Wragg Trust to provide opportunities for pupils to engage with their community, develop empathy and grow as well-rounded individuals.

Louise Moretta, executive headteacher at Whipton Barton Federation, said: “Our pupils were a credit to the school.

“Spending time with the residents allowed them to learn from different generations and really connect with their community.”

Moira Marder, chief executive officer of the Ted Wragg Trust, said: “It is wonderful to see pupils connecting across generations and contributing positively to their local community.

“Experiences like this reflect how schools across our trust help young people develop empathy, confidence, and a sense of responsibility that can make a difference in the world around them.”

Councillors demand action over Barnstaple to Exeter line

Lewis Clarke
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Councillors demand action over Barnstaple to Exeter line

Rail passengers in North Devon have been left stranded too many times, councillors heard, as mounting frustration over repeated closures of the Barnstaple to Exeter line spilled into a meeting this week.

Members of Barnstaple Town Council agreed to write to the Rail Minister at the Department for Transport expressing concern about what they described as a lack of resilience on the route, and calling for action to secure long-term improvements.

The issue was debated at a meeting on Monday, February 23.

Addressing councillors under public participation, Tim Steer, regional branch chair of Railfuture Devon and Cornwall told the meeting that the North Devon, or Tarka, line had been shut multiple times since November last year due to extreme weather. He said residents rely on the rail service for a range of reasons and that disruption put livelihoods at risk.

“The residents within your community rely on the rail service for many reasons and their livelihoods are put at stake when disruption means they cannot guarantee when the service will resume,” he said.

He added that students had missed education, patients had missed vital healthcare and employees had missed work, while some businesses along the line had laid off staff due to loss of revenue.

Tim also highlighted the impact on leisure travel, saying even Exeter City Football Club had spoken publicly after North Devon fans were unable to attend matches during recent disruption.

In a separate letter referenced at the meeting, councillors raised concerns that there had been no rail connection between Barnstaple and Exeter since the end of January, with confirmation the line would reopen on Friday, February 20, before closing again between March 21 and March 29.

The letter stated this would be the third closure of the line in 2026 and described the situation as “of great concern” to residents of Barnstaple and North Devon.

It continued: “North Devon is already very remote with a less than adequate road network and limited bus services in and out of the area.”

The letter added that more than 1,000,000 journeys had been recorded on the line in a 12-month period, with growth over the past five years said to be ahead of other lines nationally.

Councillors said investment was long overdue, including upgrades to enable more than one train per hour, but argued that when services could not run at all it undermined confidence in the area’s transport links.

Tim told members he supported the council’s decision to write to the Rail Minister, noting that the North Devon line was referenced in formal transport documents including the Devon County Council Local Transport Plan, the Peninsula Transport Strategic Implementation Plan and the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority Corporate Plan.

He also said he had written to the managing director of GWR, Mark Hopwood CBE, and shared part of the response he had received.

“We recognise the strength of feeling locally about the need for greater resilience, improved frequency and reduced journey times,” Mr Hopwood wrote.

“We are continuing to work closely with Network Rail and partners to help build a more robust and reliable railway for the future. Investment and long-term funding are key to delivering this, and we always welcome constructive third-party advocacy that supports the case for further improvements.”

The council’s letter calls on the Government to commit funds to invest in the railway line and bring forward funding to enable a reliable service to be delivered, to give confidence to the population of North Devon and support future economic growth.

Fire crews hail overwhelming support after school blaze

Lewis Clarke
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Fire crews hail overwhelming support after school blaze

Fire crews who battled a major blaze at a specialist school have shared behind-the-scenes details of the incident on social media, describing an overwhelming show of support from the local community.

The Promise School in Okehampton suffered “significant” damage after a fire broke out on Sunday, February 22, leading to the collapse of part of the roof. The academy, which caters for pupils aged four to 16 with social, emotional and mental health needs, had been due to reopen on Monday after half-term.

In posts published on Monday, February 23, several Devon fire stations outlined the scale of the response and thanked residents and businesses for their support.

Okehampton Fire Station said two pumps and an aerial ladder platform remained at the scene as crews continued to damp down hotspots.

The station said: “As crews continue to damp down hot spots at the Promise School, with two pumps and an aerial ladder platform in attendance, the community continues to show its support to the firefighters at the incident by providing food and refreshments.

“The support, not just for us, but for everyone affected has been truly overwhelming by local business.

“Over the last 24 hours, the community has really come together in an incredible way.

“We can only say a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you. Your kindness and generosity mean more than words can express.”

Newton Abbot Fire Station also described its role after being mobilised at around 7pm on Sunday as part of a relief strategy.

In a post shared on February 23, it said: “Yesterday evening at around 1900 one appliance from Newton Abbot fire station was mobilised to Okehampton as part of a relief strategy to take over from crews who had been tackling a large blaze at a primary school within the town.

“Even though multiple crews had been tackling the fire since 1530 with herculean effort, upon our arrival The Promise Primary School was still well alight with smoke and flames issuing from the building.

“The crew from Newton Abbot took over operations in sector 1 (Front of the building). Our firefighters utilised two 51mm attack jets in an attempt to suppress the fire from ground level.

“During the night we also supplied one of the ALP’s (Aerial Ladder platform) in attendance with water and BA (Breathing Apparatus) wearers to provide an attack on the blaze from above.”

The station added that a high volume pump was requested to assist with water supply and said that, at its height, 12 fire appliances, two aerial ladder platforms, three bowsers, one high volume pump and a variety of specialist vehicles from a total of 25 stations were in attendance.

It added: “Our crew was relieved in the early hours and returned home at around 0500 this morning.

“After ensuring the equipment was cleaned, items replaced and the fire appliance was washed, our firefighters then had an opportunity to get their heads down for a few hours sleep at least until they were awoken for a fire alarm call at around 0930 today.

“We would like to extend a massive thank you to the London Inn and The Copper Key for supplying 50 portion of chips for crews.

“It’s brilliant to see how the Okehampton community pulled together during this large scale incident.

“Although we never expect it, food is always well received by the crews on scene.”

Buckfastleigh Fire Station said it was dispatched at 7pm as a relief crew and took command of the water sector.

In its statement, the station said: “Yesterday at 1900 hours, we were dispatched as a relief crew to the Promise School in Okehampton.

“Upon arrival, we assumed command of the water sector and utilized our pump as one of several water shuttles.

“This multi-shuttle operation became necessary due to the on-scene water supply being overwhelmed, necessitating the sourcing of water from further afield whilst a high-volume pump was being established.

“A huge thanks to Yelverton Fire Station, who were on standby at Okehampton fire station, for connecting to the hydrant and assisting us to refill, which significantly sped up the process and enabled a quicker return to the fire ground to deliver water.

“Once the high-volume pump was established we set up firefighter decontamination and breathing apparatus cleaning stations.

“We then reorganised all hose lines to ensure a more organised and safer operational area on the fire ground.

“We returned to station just before 0300 hours this morning to clean down the appliance and ensure it was operationally ready to respond again.

“Our thoughts are with the school community at this challenging time.”

The fire prompted a major emergency response, with crews from 18 stations across Devon tackling the blaze from around 4pm on Sunday and overnight into Monday. Roads were closed while the incident was brought under control.

In a statement on the school’s website, principal Quentin Gunderson said the school would be closed “for the immediate future” due to the extent of the damage.

Quentin said: “We will provide further updates as soon as we receive more information from the fire service and the Trust, including provision for ongoing learning.”

Community groups have also offered support to families affected by the closure, including Okehampton Community Kitchen and Foodbank and SEND Help Plymouth.

Mystery as abandoned dinghy found with belongings in bay

Devon and Cornwall Police
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Mystery as abandoned dinghy found with belongings in bay

UPDATE : Officers investigating the discovery of an unmanned dingy in Firestone Bay, Plymouth, have identified the owner.

We received a call from Coastguard shortly before 10am on Monday 23 February following the discovery of a dinghy with personal items but no person on board.

A media appeal was published in an effort to locate the dinghy owner and to ensure that nobody had come to harm.

We are now satisfied that we have spoken to the vessel’s owner and that nobody has entered the water and got into difficulty.

Previous post: We are trying to identify the owner of a dinghy located in , Plymouth, earlier today.

We received a call from Coastguard shortly before 10am on Monday 23 February following the discovery of a dinghy with personal items but no person on board.

Enquiries are ongoing to locate the owner and determine whether or not anybody may have entered the water and/or found themselves in danger, or had the items stolen.

Coastguard has carried out a search of the water but not identified any person as yet.

The dinghy may have been at the location since Sunday afternoon and we are keen to speak to anyone who has seen it in the area.

PC Jessie Rapson-Blackler, said: “The dinghy was not secured and not in a suitable position for mooring. The outboard was located submerged in water a few metres away.

“Enquiries so far have been unable to identify an owner. It’s possible that somebody may have gone overboard prior to the dinghy washing up, or it may just have been abandoned there.

“Either way, we are carrying out enquiries to identify the owner or anyone with knowledge of it.”

Anybody with information is asked to call 999 quoting log 181 of 23 February.

Major new drive to make Devon sport more inclusive for SEND

Devon County Council
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Major new drive to make Devon sport more inclusive for SEND

A major new programme launching across Devon aims to expand and strengthen access to inclusive leisure and physical activity opportunities for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Active Devon has been appointed by Devon County Council to lead this work, placing the voices and lived experiences of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities at the heart of the change. The programme will support physical activity and leisure providers across the county to better understand the barriers faced by children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and make tangible improvements that create welcoming, inclusive environments where every young person feels confident, connected and able to take part.

Why this matters now

Across Devon, many children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities still struggle to access consistent, enjoyable and inclusive activity opportunities alongside their peers. These children and young people continue to face barriers to participating in and accessing inclusive leisure and physical activity.

This programme is designed to change that. Over the next two years, Active Devon will work closely with children and young people, families, leisure providers and community partners to drive long term, sustainable improvements that make local activity safer, more accessible and genuinely inclusive.

The ambition is to create a lasting cultural shift—embedding inclusive practice as a standard part of physical activity provision, not an optional extra. The programme will offer young people greater choice, ensure their needs and voices shape decisions, and help activity providers develop the confidence and skills to deliver high quality inclusive sessions.

Young people leading the way

As a first step in this work, Active Devon have partnered with the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Network for Change, including the Champions for Change – a group of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, committed to ensuring youth voices are heard and acted upon. Early conversations have explored barriers to taking part, what young people want from activity providers, and the changes that could make the biggest difference.

A young person who is part of the Champions for Change said: “We want to support all young people to be able to access sport and leisure facilities. There are not enough places at the moment that are accessible. We want young people with and without disabilities to feel proud, happy, safe and included.

“Active Devon have been listening to the Champions because we have lots of knowledge about what works and doesn’t work in our communities. They are going to pass this information on to leisure and sports facilities in Devon to help make things more accessible.

“We want to be able to have fun and to meet other people that also enjoy the same things as us.”

Programme Lead, Cara Baer from Active Devon said: “We are absolutely delighted to be working on this important initiative because it places the voices of young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities at the heart of positive change. Their insight is vital, and we are committed to helping turn that insight into practical action that transforms how access to opportunities are made more available and how inclusive activity opportunities are delivered across Devon.”

Councillor Richard Jefferies, Devon County Council’s lead Member for Children’s Services, said: “The early collaboration we carried out in 2025 with children, young people and their families made it absolutely clear that inclusive access to sport, leisure and community activity is really important to them. They told us what helps them feel welcomed, what gets in the way, and what needs to change. This programme builds directly on that work, ensuring their insight continues to drive improvement across mainstream providers. We’re proud to see their voices shaping a countywide approach that gives every young person the chance to take part, belong and thrive.”

What the programme will deliver

Working with Champions for Change and leisure providers/ partners across Devon, the programme will focus on:

  • Co-designed sessions to better understand what children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities want and need from physical activity
  • Co-created resources such as welcome packs, videos, venue guides and accessibility information
  • Greater engagement with leisure centres and providers, including staff training and mentoring to support real, long term change
  • Improved visibility of inclusive opportunities, supported by enhanced listings on Devon Connect and partner platforms
  • Countywide campaigns celebrating inclusive activity and showcasing real stories from young people and providers

Using insights gathered directly from young people, the next phase will work with specific partners and providers across the Devon County Council area to identify and remove barriers, trial improvements and build a practical blueprint for inclusive activity provision in the future.

Cara from Active Devon added: “Over time, this piece of work will help young people build a deeper, more positive relationship with movement and stay engaged in physical activity well beyond the life of the programme. It will support the embedding of inclusive practice across mainstream provision and ensure collaboration becomes a standard and expected part of developing new or adapted activities in the future.”

If you would like to get involved in this programme, please email hello@activedevon.org or you can register interest and share some initial views by completing this form here.

Exeter runner chasing London Marathon dream for Robbie

Devon Today
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Exeter runner chasing London Marathon dream for Robbie

A mum of two who dreamed of running the TCS 2026 London Marathon is to take part in the iconic race to raise money for the charity which supports her brother.

Jane Clark, 47, will be pounding the streets of the capital this April for learning disability charity Hft, which supports her younger brother Robbie.

Robbie is supported by the charity in Bampton, Devon, where he lives independently with a friend Brian.

Jane has set herself a target of raising £1750 for Hft, which she says has helped Robbie achieve an independent and fulfilling life.

This will be the first time that Jane, who works as a School Games Organiser, has tackled the world-famous marathon.

“I’ve done the Manchester Marathon and I loved it,” said Jane.

“The camaraderie while running the course was just fantastic with everyone cheering each other on.

“I also completed a virtual London Marathon in 2021 after over ten years of trying to secure a place.

“This year I am delighted to have got a charity place and to run for such an amazing cause.”

Jane in her Hft running vest

Jane, from Exeter, trains and runs multiple times a week, but is slowly increasing the miles she runs in readiness to take on the 26.2 mile route.

“Robbie is very proud that his older sister is running the London Marathon,” said Jane.

“He asks me every day how my training is going and how much money I have raised.”

Robbie has a busy life in the Devon village.

He enjoys drama, going to the gym and swimming and visiting the local library.

“With Hft’s support, Robbie has been able to lead a fulfilling, independent life – something which we thought may never be possible,” said Jane.

“The relationships Robbie has with his care team, his peers and in his community, highlight Hft’s commitment to its vision for learning disabled adults to be able to live their best lives in a kind and inclusive community.”

Jane says she’s excited, although a little nervous, to be taking on the challenge on April 26.

“It’s something I have wanted to do for so many years,” said Jane.

“Now I have a real reason to do this, for Robbie and for Hft.”

Hft Community Fundraising Manager Emma Macdonald said: “Jane’s dedication to supporting Hft and her commitment to running the TCS 2026 London Marathon for her brother Robbie is truly inspiring.

“It’s supporters like Jane who help us continue to provide vital services for learning disabled people, enabling them to live independent and fulfilling lives.

“We are so grateful for her fundraising efforts and wish her all the best in her training and on race day.

“Her story is a beautiful reminder of how communities come together to make a real difference.”

If you want to sponsor Jane in her marathon effort visit https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/jane-clark

  • If you haven’t managed to secure a place for this year’s TCS 2026 London Marathon, you can still get involved and raise money for Hft! The TCS London Marathon MyWay Your race, Your way is your chance to be a part of the world famous London Marathon event from the comfort of your own hometown. Those signing up can choose to run, jog or walk and can take part solo or with friends and family. To earn the coveted TCS London Marathon finisher medal and a New Balance T-shirt, entrants just complete the marathon distance from 00:00 to 23:59:59 BST on Sunday 26 April 2026. To confirm your place please complete the registration form and pay your £10 registration fee.  Once you have completed this, you will officially have a spot on #TeamHft to raise a minimum sponsorship of £100 to support learning disabled adults. You can find out more here: London Marathon MyWay 2026 – Hft

Public urged to help trace wanted man with Devon links

Devon and Cornwall Police
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Public urged to help trace wanted man with Devon links

We are seeking the public’s assistance to locate a 53-year-old wanted man from Exeter.

Darren Crowson is wanted in connection to a report of criminal damage.

Enquiries to locate Crowson are ongoing and we are keen to hear from the public with any sightings or information.

He is described as white male, with long brown hair, and a beard.

Crowson has links to Exeter and Exmouth.

Anyone who sees him is asked not to approach him but to call police on 999, quoting 50260044257

Information can also be passed anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111, or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org

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