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Students step into spotlight with live BBC radio debut

Lewis Clarke
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Students step into spotlight with live BBC radio debut

They swapped the classroom for the newsroom and found themselves live on air as sixth form media students stepped behind the microphone at the BBC.

Students from Kingsbridge Community College, part of Education South West, spent the day at the BBC news studios in Plymouth as part of their journalism module.

Alongside a tour of the studios, the group gained first-hand experience of live broadcasting. They appeared on BBC Radio Devon for an interview about mobile phone use with presenter Caroline Densley.

Georgia Hamm, one of the students interviewed, said: “The radio production is so much more intimate and fun than I imagined.

“It opened up a realm of opportunities that I didn’t even know existed by letting me get involved with this live broadcast.

“I got to see that the jobs are all suited to the individual, utilising their strengths.”

Students also learned about interview techniques and put their skills into practice by questioning a panel of BBC staff, including young apprentices.

They took part in interactive tasks designed to highlight the importance of fact checking sources and providing impartial reports.

Art Lawrence described the experience as eye opening.

“It was very interactive and really exciting to gain behind-the-scenes access,” Art said.

“It’s totally changed my perspective on how BBC radio and TV are made and produced and has made me realise how stimulating the job roles are.

“It gave us exposure to a fun and relaxed, yet engaging and productive work environment.”

The students will now write and publish their own original news stories as part of their course.

Wat Kirby, head of media at Kingsbridge Community College, said: “Rhetoric and reality are a far cry apart and it is wonderful to see students experiencing a busy newsroom and getting to practice the theoretical skills they have learned in class.

“Experiencing a professional environment like the BBC lets them see how the real world operates and start to think about how they might fit into that world.”

Tina Graham, principal at Kingsbridge Community College, said: “In today’s increasingly competitive world, it is crucial to futureproof students with the practical skills they need to get ahead.

“By working with key industry players like the BBC, we can not only inspire students but also give them the tools to forge a successful career.”

Residents urged to shut windows as fire rips through SEND school

Devon Today
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Residents urged to shut windows as fire rips through SEND school

Emergency services are tackling a large blaze near a business centre, with residents warned to keep their doors and windows closed as thick smoke rises into the sky.

Devon and Cornwall Police said on Sunday, February 22 at around 4.30pm that: “Emergency services are dealing with a large fire near the Okehampton Business Centre on the B3260. Please could residents in the Stockley Hamlet area ensure that doors and windows are closed whilst Fire and Rescue Services tackle the blaze.”

The Promise School on fire (Credit : Brian Johnston)

Residents in the area said the building affected is The Promise School.

Footage of the fire has been shared by Brian Johnston.

The Promise School is a specialist school situated on the edge of Dartmoor. It currently offers education to 80 students and aims to grow in the coming years.

All students at the school have education, health and care plans with social, emotional and mental health needs identified. The majority also have additional special educational needs such as communication and interaction difficulties, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder.

The school states that it is committed to supporting young people to build self-esteem and confidence, develop positive friendships and engage in a curriculum designed to help them succeed in adult life.

The Promise School is closed for half term from Thursday, February 13 until Friday, February 20. It was due to reopen on Monday, February 23.

Jo Edwards from Solace in Devon said: “Every child who attends that school is there because their needs cannot be met in a mainstream school. Any mainstream school. There may well be violent or destructive behaviours. School may well be the one constant in the child and in the carer’s life. Parents and carers will be frantically trying to work out logistics of keeping children home, working, caring for others, whilst giving information to children whose nervous systems are likely to be dysregulated.

“If you know someone whose child attends, please do not assume “it is just a fire”. Please check in on them. Many special needs families are clinging on and one more thing can be devastating.

“Tomorrow the White Paper setting out the proposed changes to SEND education is due to be released. This is a further stress for many families.

Please too give a thought for the teachers, teaching assistants and school staff who will be worrying.

“If anyone is reliant on school for lunches, I’m sure we can assistance through Okehampton Community Kitchen and Foodbank. If anyone needs a space for their child to let off steam, you’re welcome to come to us at Solace in Devon

“Please let’s pull together and get everyone through this.”

Police growing concerned for missing Kingsbridge teenager

Devon and Cornwall Police
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Police growing concerned for missing Kingsbridge teenager

UPDATE : FOUND | Sophie Heard, 16, who had been reported missing from the Kingsbridge area on Saturday 21 February, has been found safe by police. We would like to thank members of the public for their help.

Previous post: We are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of 16-year-old Sophie Heard, who has been reported missing from the Kingsbridge area.

She was last seen in the Kingsbridge area on the evening of Friday 20 February.

Sophie is described as a female, of slim build, around 5ft 7ins tall, with ginger hair which is currently dyed purple. She was last seen wearing a beige North Face coat, white trainers and blue jeans.

Sophie also has links to Newton Abbot, Nottingham and London.

If you have seen Sophie, or know of her whereabouts, please call police immediately on 999, quoting log number log number 34 of 21/02/26.

Hospiscare Men’s Walk set to smash records as places vanish

Hospiscare
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Hospiscare Men’s Walk set to smash records as places vanish

It’s official – the Hospiscare Men’s Walk 2026 will be the biggest yet!

With 1,700 participants already signed up and only 300 places remaining, the countdown to another sell-out is well underway for the seventh consecutive year.

This year’s seven-mile walk is on Saturday 7 March, starting and finishing at Exeter’s Double Locks pub.

There will be a well-earned bacon roll and hot drink mid-route, followed by an Exeter Brewery pint (or a non-alcoholic option) and a pasty from Chunk of Devon waiting at the finish. The Italy vs England Six Nations rugby will also be screened in the special event marquee.

Senior Events Fundraiser Martin Stokke said: “Thanks to the ongoing support of our community, sponsor and event partners, our Men’s Walk has grown into one of the region’s biggest fundraising events.

 “This year we are aiming to welcome more than 2,000 participants, which would be a record for the event. We encourage anyone who would like to be part of this incredible day to sign up as soon as possible to avoid missing out.”

“We are hoping many more people come along on the day to cheer our walkers and, if possible, support them by donating to their fundraising pages.”

With prizes available for top fundraisers, it’s hoped that the event will exceed the £160,000 raised in 2025. That took the overall Men’s Walk total to more than £1 million since 2012.

Caring for around 2,200 patients every year, Hospiscare’s vital services receive just 24% funding from the Government. It relies on the incredible generosity of its community to ensure that specialist end-of-life care is provided at no cost to patients and their families.

Volunteers are needed to support the event in a variety of roles. Anyone interested can email events@hospiscare.co.uk for more information. To find out more and sign-up, head to https://hospiscare.co.uk/events/mens-walk

Public invited to shape future of new Devon woodland

Lewis Clarke
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Public invited to shape future of new Devon woodland

Forestry England is inviting people to have their say about a brand new woodland near Okehampton.

A public consultation is open until midnight on Friday 6 March.

 The woodland, to be called Okement Wood, is half a mile from Forestry England’s popular Abbeyford Woods, and it is one of several new woodlands Forestry England is creating in Devon as part of its work to grow the nation’s forests.

The new woodland will provide valuable habitat for wildlife, help connect existing woodlands in the area, absorb carbon, and give local people a beautiful new green space to explore and enjoy. Once the trees have grown, Okement Wood will also provide a sustainable source of British timber.

Forestry England invites local communities to view its design plans, which have been carefully created for the new woodland based on thorough surveys of the land and its existing wildlife.

The plans include an artist’s impression of what the site might look like in 10 years, a list of the different tree species that could be planted, and questions already raised by people living in neighbouring properties. They can be viewed online as part of the consultation. 

There will also be an in-person ‘drop-in’ event at Inwardleigh and Folly Gate Village Hall on Tuesday, February 24 from 4pm to 7pm. Local people are invited to attend the event to find out more about Okement Wood and speak to members of the Forestry England team.

 Kevin Stannard, Forest Management Director in the West of England, said: “I’m delighted to share our plans for Okement Wood with the local communities who will be most involved in its future. In time, this will be a valuable new green space for people living and working nearby, while also providing important habitat for wildlife and much-needed carbon storage.

“We have used the latest research and carried out thorough surveys of the land, its wildlife, and the surrounding environment to create our design plans. The tree species we have chosen have also been carefully selected to cope with future challenges such as pests, diseases, and our changing climate, ensuring that Okement Wood will provide benefits to people and wildlife for generations to come.”

You can find out more about the new woodland and respond to the public consultation, through the Forestry England website.

Devon forest named among UK’s top 10 parkrun trails

Lewis Clarke
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Devon forest named among UK’s top 10 parkrun trails

It is a Saturday morning ritual that has taken root beneath the trees – and now it has reached a landmark few could have predicted.

Forestry England has announced that ten thousand parkrun events have now been completed across its forests nationwide, with one of Devon’s best-loved woodland routes named among the country’s top 10.

From the towering pines of Sherwood Pines to the challenging climbs of Whinlatter Forest, the free, weekly 5K events have drawn thousands of runners, walkers and volunteers into the nation’s woodlands.

Among those recognised is Haldon Forest Park, near Exeter, which has been highlighted for its sweeping views over the Exe estuary and its “famously friendly atmosphere”.

Every Saturday, participants gather at Forestry England sites for parkrun – the free, timed community event that has become one of the UK’s most inclusive fitness movements. Organisers say increasing numbers are choosing to take part under the forest canopy, combining exercise with time in nature.

More than 100,000 participants now call a Forestry England location their home parkrun. The growth has also attracted visitors from further afield, with runners travelling to experience distinctive woodland routes in scenic settings.

Rachel Tallon, active forests programme manager at Forestry England, said: “It’s inspiring to see so many people finding connection, confidence and community in our nation’s forests.

“Running among the trees is not just good for fitness, it boosts mood, reduces stress, and helps people feel part of something bigger.”

At Haldon Forest Park, runners can expect a single-lap course with expansive views and a strong volunteer presence, often marked by fancy dress and a lively finish-line atmosphere.

To mark the milestone, Forestry England has unveiled its top 10 forest parkrun events across the country.

They include:

  • Sherwood Pines, Nottinghamshire
  • Whinlatter Forest, Cumbria
  • Moors Valley Country Park, Dorset
  • Wendover Woods, Buckinghamshire
  • Haldon Forest Park, Devon
  • Alice Holt Forest, Hampshire
  • Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire
  • Bedgebury Pinetum and Forest, Kent
  • Delamere Forest, Cheshire
  • Mallards Pike, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire

All Forestry England parkruns are free and open to everyone, from beginners to experienced runners.

Details of local events, including Haldon Forest Park, can be found at forestryengland.uk/parkrun.

“Absolutely scary” moment captured as motorcyclist inches from pothole peril

Lewis Clarke
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“Absolutely scary” moment captured as motorcyclist inches from pothole peril

A Devon councillor said he was left “genuinely shocked” after a motorcyclist sped past him and swerved through a string of deep potholes while he was filming a warning about the state of a busy road.

Cllr Frank Biederman and fellow Devon County councillor Cllr Ed Tyldesley said they witnessed “absolutely scary” driving and overtaking along the pothole-ridden B3232 between Barnstaple and Torrington.

Cllr Biederman, who represents Fremington Rural, was recording a video for Facebook at the side of the road when a motorbike overtook a car at high speed through a series of potholes.

The pair had been inspecting the size of potholes on the B3232 from Roundswell through to Alverdiscott to assess whether they met the criteria for repair by the county council. They said they would also flag up other “dangerous” defects which may not meet the size threshold but are located on blind bends, causing drivers to swerve.

Writing on Facebook, Cllr Biederman said: “Please watch to the end – this genuinely shocked us.

“This afternoon I went out with neighbouring ward member Ed Tyndesly to inspect and report the potholes along the B3232 from Roundswell through to Alverdiscott.

“There’s no doubt the road is in a terrible condition. On some of the tighter bends, drivers are having to swerve to avoid potholes. We will be formally raising this.

“What really surprised us, though, was the speed some vehicles were still travelling at, despite the state of the road.

“In the video, you’ll see a motorbike come through. Riders are particularly vulnerable in these conditions. A pothole that unsettles a car can be catastrophic for a motorcyclist, especially on bends.

“Please slow down and drive to the conditions. These aren’t minor surface defects, they are serious hazards.

“It’s always better to arrive home a few minutes later to your family and friends than not at all.

“Stay safe everyone.”

Cllr Tyldesley, who represents Chumleigh and Landkey, said: “I’ve reported all the potholes we saw, but I can’t believe how fast people drive through them!

“Of course we’re seeing so much damage to cars and burst tyres when drivers are going at such irresponsible speeds!”

Cllr Biederman said the county council was putting an extra £15 million into the 2026/27 budget for repairing potholes and £4 million into highways drainage improvement, gully clearance and other preventative work.

He added that, with decades of underfunding on road repairs, the authority could spend its entire £2 billion annual budget on roads and still not fill all the potholes.

Additional repair crews are being deployed across the county and out-of-hours working is taking place. In Tavistock, in West Devon, repairs have been carried out overnight since the beginning of the month.

Residents commenting on the post also raised concerns about safety.

Justeen Easton said: “We travelled this road last Friday it is appalling, we had to keep going over the lines to avoid damaging the car most of the way and on the way back a car had stopped on a bend to allow us to pass so he could safely go on to the other side of the road. There is going to be a serious accident before long.

“Why can they close the road for weeks for a new housing site and not have carried out essential repairs at the same time.

“Our roads have become so dangerous.

“We pay alot of money every year in road tax and fuel duty.”

Keir Bennett said: “Thank you frank that stretch of road is unreal and do dangerous. Has anyone looked at the condition of the road on roundswell estate for air extreme, mc Donald’s, Bradfords etc. also I’m surprised no one hasn’t had a damaged rim from the drain on the left as you leave the estate.”

Bronwyn Niciecki said: “Thank you for highlighting this! I drive this road many times a day and the number of cars I follow that see a pothole last minute and then swerve to avoid it, often with oncoming traffic coming! I’m surprised there hasn’t been a head on collision yet. Most of these potholes have been reported ages ago already.”

Love your library walk sends clear message over staffing fears

Lewis Clarke
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Love your library walk sends clear message over staffing fears

Residents have taken to the streets in a show of affection for their local libraries, warning that reduced staffing could leave vulnerable people without vital support.

With just a week remaining before the deadline for on library provision by Devon County Council, campaigners organised a “Love Your Library” walk to raise awareness of the consultation and encourage people to have their say before Saturday, February 22.

Across the country, local authorities are facing financial pressures and looking at ways to stretch limited budgets. In Devon, while there is no stated intention to close libraries, proposals include reducing the hours when employed, trained staff are available.

Considerations outlined in the consultation include extending opening hours through the use of volunteers, introducing open access for registered users outside core staffed hours and asking local organisations to manage day-to-day operations.

Ilfracombe town councillor Terry Elliott and campaigner Netti Pearson said: “We cannot assume that volunteers and untrained staff can cope with the needs of people who now use the libraries.”

They added: “The proposal does not recognise the unique contribution that a library makes to a specific community, especially around health and well-being in deprived and isolated areas. Devon County Council should be adopting an equity approach and directing more library services to areas with the greatest need.”

Highlighting the evolving role of libraries, they said: “Libraries have changed: no longer just places where books are borrowed. They offer a warm, welcome space often with refreshments, a meeting space for book clubs, crafts and other special interest groups for all ages, somewhere to access online services along with advice on how to use them.”

They continued: “They substitute in many ways for the loss of other public services. Volunteers cannot be expected to have the specialised skills and knowledge to provide help to people with very often crucial needs, who have nowhere else to turn. And access to the library is free.”

Cllr Sara Wilson, Ilfracombe’s county councillor, said she understood the difficulty of balancing the authority’s budget but could not support further reductions.

“As Ilfracombe’s county councillor I understand the difficulties in balancing the council’s budget but I cannot support any more cuts to Devon Libraries,” she said.

“In Ilfracombe, where we have lost so many services, we cannot expect volunteers to replace paid library staff. With poor public transport links and vulnerable populations, reducing paid staff and opening hours in Ilfracombe and Combe Martin libraries risks imposing even more disadvantages on already vulnerable groups.

“Coastal communities need more than incredible volunteers filling in the gaps where services have been lost.”

A group of residents, concerned that the consultation may have passed some people by, organised a “Love Your Library” walk from Wilder to the library in Ilfracombe. Led by the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland, they handed out leaflets explaining how to access the consultation before the deadline.

The consultation can be accessed online by the end of Sunday, February 22, or by using a paper form available from the library. Residents can also email their views directly to communitiesconsultation@devon.gov.uk.

Quick thinking duo save elderly man from Crediton house fire

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue
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Quick thinking duo save elderly man from Crediton house fire

We are praising the instinct and swift actions of two of our colleagues after they helped rescue an elderly man from a smoke-filled home in Crediton on Wednesday 11 February.

At around 12.30pm, Home Safety Technician Cassandra Darling, who is also an on-call firefighter at Crediton, and Home Safety and Partnership Officer Eleanor Tanner were visiting residents at Newcombe’s Housing near Jockey Hill, offering fire safety advice, when they heard an alarm sounding nearby.

Cassandra said: “I think it was my gut instinct or intuition, but I recognised it as a smoke alarm at a property in Lennard Road.

“I said to Eleanor, ‘that’s a smoke alarm sound’, so we rushed over. When we got there, we could smell smoke. We entered the property and helped the elderly man to safety from a smoke-filled room.”

Cassandra and Eleanor then contacted our fire control for assistance and stayed with him to provide care and reassurance.

Three appliances from Middlemoor and Danes Castle fire stations, attended the incident. We discovered that items left in a microwave had started to burn, filling the property with smoke. The microwave was removed, and the property was ventilated to clear the smoke.

Safety in the home

Cooking is the biggest cause of fires in Devon and Somerset. Most start when people get distracted, miss a timer, or use faulty appliances.

Our Danes Castle Watch Manager, Johan Ulvede, who was at the scene, highlighted the vital role of working smoke alarms and having a clear escape plan: “Fire safety in the home is extremely important. Think about your night-time routines – extinguish candles, unplug chargers, make sure cookers are off, and your home is safe. If something does happen, make sure you have a way out – keep a key handy or use a twist lock so you can exit quickly.

“Our message is simple: Get out of the property, call 999 and stay out. Smoke detectors are especially important for vulnerable people and can give you the early warning that saves lives.”

Working smoke alarms and early action can prevent a fire from becoming far more serious. We recommend having a smoke alarm on every level of your property and testing them once a week.

We also offer home fire safety visits to support the most at-risk members of our communities.

Photo and original story by Alan Quick, Crediton Courier.

Salcombe Gin launches new aluminium miniature bottles

Devon Today
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Salcombe Gin launches new aluminium miniature bottles

Award-winning distiller Salcombe Gin has launched its new range of 5cl aluminium miniature bottles.  This marks a major milestone in their sustainable packaging journey, securing new listings with Virgin Wines, P&O Cruises and Great Western Railway (GWR) as a direct result of the innovation.

The new lightweight and ultra compact 100% post-consumer recycled aluminium bottles are the lowest environmental impact spirit miniatures available on the market.  They are made entirely from aluminium that has reached the end of its useful life and been remade into an infinitely recyclable format.

The post-consumer recycled aluminium used in each bottle generates up to 90% less CO₂ than traditional polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or glass, helping Salcombe Gin dramatically reduce its carbon footprint while maintaining its premium aesthetic.  At 54% lighter than glass, the move from glass to aluminium also reduces emissions throughout Salcombe Gin’s supply chain from production all the way through to delivery.

A pioneering packaging approach, it has already opened new opportunities for the Devon-based distillery that brings Salcombe Gin’s award-winning spirits to an even wider audience. The new miniatures were launched with Virgin Wines at Christmas, made available onboard P&O Cruises and are now served in Great Western Railway’s Pullman Dining Car where their lightweight and shatterproof design makes them ideal for travel retail.

Available in the aluminium miniatures is Salcombe Gin ‘Start Point’ (44% ABV) their multi- award-winning, exceptionally smooth citrus led London Dry gin and Salcombe Gin ‘Rosé Sainte Marie’ (41.4% ABV), a delicate and fresh Mediterranean Dry Rosé Gin.

Both gins are available in the 5cl aluminium miniatures and a new 5cl twin gift set. 

Angus Lugsdin, Co-Founder and Director of Salcombe Gin, comments: “Moving to 100% post-consumer recycled aluminium bottles is far more than a packaging change, it’s a strategic shift towards reducing our carbon footprint and the environmental impact of each bottle that we sell.  The fact that this change has already led to new partnerships with Virgin Wines, P&O Cruises and Great Western Railway shows that the industry is ready to embrace more sustainable solutions.”

Angus continues: “Post-consumer recycled aluminium is infinitely recyclable, lightweight and part of a circular economy, meaning every bottle has lived a previous life. By making this move, we’re proud to be reducing our environmental impact.” 

Sarah Creaser, Catering Operations Manager at Great Western Railway adds: “We’re delighted to partner with craft distillery Salcombe Gin, a fellow regional business that shares our commitment to supporting its community, and as sustainably as possible.

“Rail plays a vital role in supporting the national, and local economies, and this partnership enhances that connection while offering our customers an award-winning, locally produced drink to enjoy during their journey.”

Through its ongoing partnership with the Marine Conservation Society, Salcombe Gin continues to donate 1% of every bottle of ‘Start Point’ sold to support marine conservation efforts as part of its ‘1% for the Ocean’ initiative. 

For further information about Salcombe Gin, visit www.salcombegin.com, follow Salcombe Gin on Instagram and Facebook. 

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