North Devon Journal
Teacher who threw pupil through doorway given life ban by panel
ANORTH Devon teacher picked up and threw a pupil out of an open doorway into a playground. The child landed on his back during the incident, which led to Joseph Luttman being struck off from teaching. A Teaching Regulation Agency panel was shown two...
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Waves of success as charity gets ready to mark 15 years
A CHARITY which supports youngsters through surf therapy in North Devon is looking to help more people in 2026 when it will mark its 15th anniversary. The Wave Project, which runs sessions at Croyde and Westward Ho!, helped more than 2,600 children...
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Colourful sight as dippers brave freezing temperatures
A REFRESHING start to 2026 saw sharks, bananas, penguins and more run into the sea at Westward Ho! on New Year’s Day. The annual fancy dress dip saw hundreds rise to the challenge while helping raise funds for Tabitha’s Smile – a charity which uses...
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Runners outfoxed as colourful race raises charity funds
MUDDY trails and a dash of winter sunshine set the scene for a festive tradition with costume-clad runners pursuing a fleet-footed target through the North Devoncountryside. Fremington Trailblazers Running Club hosted its Beat the Fox 2025 event on...
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Fleet of santas thanked for revving up Christmas spirits
HUNDREDS of festive riders swapped leathers for red suits, revving up their engines to deliver a sack-load of Christmas cheer for a beloved charity. Crowds lined the streets to wave on the convoy, who braved the winter chill to support vital hospice...
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Christmas TV GUIDE
CHRISTMAS EVE Royal Carols: Together at Christmas, ITV1, 7.25pm The Princess of Wales’s carol service has quickly become a tradition. This year marks the fifth time she’s hosted such an event; 2025’s was recorded on December 5 at Westminster...
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Victory in bus fare petition campaign
ILFRACOMBE residents have vented their frustration at the loss of healthcare services in the town and called on local government and the NHS to take action. Issues ranging from service closures, the funding of early years at nurseries, reductions in...
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Class of 2025 celebrate in style at college’s graduation
DOZENS of students were met with a standing ovation as they crossed the stage at Barnstaple’s Queen’s Theatre to receive their degrees, with proud family members and staff cheering from the stalls. The ceremony celebrated the achievements of 90...
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Towns sparkling as seasonal events bring festive cheer
FAMILIES flocked to Great Torrington as the town centre was transformed into a festive hub for its annual Christmas Fayre, with music, market stalls and merriment spreading through the streets. Stalls packed with handmade crafts, locally-produced food...
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Shipyard’s revival helping power growth and future jobs
THE Governor of the Bank of England has praised the economic impact of Appledore shipyard in transforming Britain’s maritime future and its past. Andrew Bailey visited Navantia UK’s Appledore shipyard to see how the defence and maritime sector is...
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Communities gather to honour sacrifices of war heroes
HUNDREDS gathered in solemn silence to honour those who gave their lives in service during poignant Remembrance Sunday ceremonies. Among North Devon services were commemorations at Barnstaple’s Rock Park, on Sunday. Despite persistent morning rain, a...
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Community rallies after horror blaze
NEIGHBOURS evacuated following a devastating fire in Bideford have been reuniting at a local food bank as they come to terms with the horror that’s unfolded in their community. A raging fire in a terraced house in Honestone Street has left one person...
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DEFEND YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW.
Plans for licensed premises in your neighbourhood could be hidden from view if new government proposals for secret alcohol licensing notices get the green light.
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Royal backing for 75 years of British Wool craftsmanship
THE Princess Royal made a visit to North Devon last week to mark British Wool’s 75th anniversary. Princess Anne toured the cooperative’s grading depot in South Molton on Wednesday and met with local farmers, staff and innovators from across the...
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‘SuperGran’ returns to children’s hospice she helped set up
A FORMER volunteer affectionately nicknamed ‘SuperGran’ has fulfilled her long-standing wish to revisit the children’s hospice she helped to establish more than 30 years ago. Eldey, a resident at Kenwith Castle care home, recently returned to Little...
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Community united for trail and estuary rubbish blitz
AMAN from South Molton has been charged with dousing a United States politician in petrol and setting him on fire after claiming the councillor had been having an affair with his wife, a court has heard. Shotsie Michael Buck-Hayes, who grew up in...
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Rise of new project to connect people back to nature
A PROGRAMME to engage people with nature in North Devon and help them take environmental action has been expanded to adults thanks to new funding. Earth Action North Devon (EAND) has launched a brand-new Explorers Club for adults, thanks to funding...
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Hospital staff conquer 180ft cliff challenge to raise funds
A GROUP of NHS workers swapped wards for cliff faces as they abseiled 180ft down Berry Cliffs in a daring fundraising challenge. Thirteen nurses, healthcare assistants and housekeeping staff from the Tarka and Roborough wards at North Devon District...
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Flower power on show as gardens see out summer
THOUSANDS of visitors descended on RHS Garden Rosemoor for a vibrant celebration of all things horticultural, as the annual flower show returned to the Torrington venue. The event treated visitors to a colourful weekend of floral displays, live...
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Celebrating railway’s past on line for better services
AGROUP of campaigners gathered at Kings Nympton station to celebrate its 170-year history – and to demand more reliable and frequent train services on the busy Tarka Line. The event marked the original name of the station – South Molton Road – but was...
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Covid generation toast their top grade GCSE results
SCHOOLS in Devon bucked the national trend of a declining pass rates when GCSE results were announced last week. Nationally, the proportion of GCSE entries scoring a decent pass has fallen again, prompting fears about young people in England being...
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Unique look beneath the waves reveals secrets of Lundy
BRITAIN’S first marine protected area has a new digital gateway, giving the public a closer look beneath its waves without getting wet. The Lundy Marine Protected Area (MPA) has a new website to showcase the wildlife, shipwrecks, and science that make...
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Horsing around as show time success draws the crowds
THE community has been full of praise for another North Devon Show as it marked its 59th year. The agricultural celebration held at Umberleigh last week attracted thousands and benefitted from the warm summer weather. Show secretary Theresa Soanes...
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It’s not all plain sailing at Bideford water festival
SPECTATORS lined the Quay and River Torridge as the Bideford Water Festival returned with its trademark blend of fun, fancy dress, and floating DIY disasters. The annual event, organised by Bideford Rotary Club, marked a significant milestone this...
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UK HOLIDAYS FROM £15 IS HERE!
GRAB A BARGAIN BREAK Terms and conditions apply. Prices from £15 per person based on four people sharing. Subject to availability
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No end in sight over 18-month road disruption in town
A LONG-running dispute over a partially collapsed wall on Marlborough Road in Ilfracombe has left residents frustrated and traffic disrupted for 18 months – with no clear end in sight. The saga began when a landslip caused rubble to fall onto the...
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Business park bid for greenfield site
A SPRAWLING new business park and service station could soon transform fields south of Lake Roundabout into a bustling hub of economic activity. The outline proposal includes a petrol station and 22 business units, positioned on agricultural land...
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Green for go as maritime centre heralds way for jobs
CONSTRUCTION has officially begun on the Appledore Clean Maritime Innovation Centre, a major development aimed at putting Torridge at the forefront of green maritime technology. Torridge District Council has confirmed that BAM Construction will serve...
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Communities come together to celebrate differences
BARNSTAPLE was awash with colour, sound and celebration on Saturday as the annual Diversity and Pride Festival brought together hundreds of people for a day of unity, inclusion and cultural expression. From midday until 4pm, Castle Green played host...
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Wharf regeneration work set to start
PREPARATION work will begin in September for the major regeneration of a historic waterfront location in Bideford which has been derelict for four decades. Red Earth’s plan for Brunswick Wharf at East-the-Water, which received planning permission last...
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Controversial home plan given approval
INFRASTRUCTURE and environmental concerns of more than 700 residents have failed to stop a controversial scheme for 101 homes at Fremington being approved. North Devon Council’s planning committee, which is under pressure to increase the number of...
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Protestors recreate Pink Floyd artwork in beach battle
CAMPAIGNERS fighting proposed cable route plans for an off shore wind farm recreated an iconic album cover in their latest demonstration to voice opposition to the proposal. Members of Save Our Sands are unhappy after North Devon Council’s planning...
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Police inquiry after body parts wash up
POLICE are continuing investigations after human remains were found on a beach in Westward Ho! and along the coastline in North Devon last week. Emergency services were called to the beach at 9.30am after suspected human remains were found. There has...
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Nursery buzzing for Chelsea date, first in 30-year history
A NORTH Devon-based nursery is showcasing its pollinator-friendly garden at the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show for the first time in its 30-year history. Gardeners Delight Nursery, a family-run operation in Barnstaple, will unveil a sixmetre by...
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Cable route plan approved for protected coast
COUNCILLORS have voted in favour of a controversial plan to bring cables for a wind farm off the North Devon coast on shore at Saunton Sands. The cable route will go through a host of protected landscapes connecting to the National Grid at East...
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Sun shines down on bustling May Fair celebration days
TRADITION, colour and crowds filled the streets of Great Torrington as the May Fair returned in the sunshine last week. On May Day there was floral dancing and entertainment before the proclamation of May Fair and crowning of the May Queen Round the...
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25 jobs under threat with Dogs Trust shake up
DOGS Trust Ilfracombe could be transformed into a dedicated fostering hub under new proposals announced by the UK’s largest dog welfare charity – a move that would place 25 jobs at risk of redundancy. The charity is currently undergoing a collective...
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Full speed ahead for railway line improvements
WORK is underway to modernise North Devon's railway services with the goal of two-services an hour and faster journeys on the Tarka Line. At the second annual meeting of the North Devon Railway Development Alliance (NDRDA) planners from Network Rail...
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Home spreads happiness with triple spring celebration
THERE was dancing, drumming and a dose of Devon sunshine as Heanton Nursing Home marked three joyful days of festivities, including a vibrant Spring Day of Happiness. The event, held near Braunton, united residents, their families, and the wider...
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Surfathon aims to raise funds for Wave Project
A NORTH Devon surfing charity aiming to ‘break down barriers’ is gearing up to host its first inclusive surfathon next month. The Wave Project, which provides life-changing surf therapy to children and young people facing mental health challenges,...
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Police in dock over public complaints
»Crime commissioner ‘deeply disappointed’ at force’s failure to deal with public complaints in an ‘effective’ manner.
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Celebrations as retailer marks 100 years on high street
IT’S been one big birthday weekend bash at Banburys as the independent department store marked 100 years on Barnstaple’s High Street on Friday. Staff at the store stepped back to the 1920s dressing up for the occasion and welcomed customers with...
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Pupils welcome hospice funding appeal with open arms
THE people of North Devon have been embracing a cause close to their hearts, raising funds to support North Devon Hospice’s Cuddle Appeal. The campaign aims to provide a specialist cuddle bed at the hospice, offering comfort to patients with...
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All systems go for £20m revamp fund
TORRIDGE is about to get a major facelift, with a cash injection set to build business hubs, improve housing, and even install a water quality buoy for beachgoers. The Government has confirmed £20.7 million in capital investment, alongside £250,000 in...
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Wild beauty of North Devon coast hits big screen
» The Salt Path, a film based on Raynor Winn’s 2018 memoir, will hit the cinema next month.
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Land Rover legend takes on 3,500-mile coast adventure
THE rugged cliffs of Lynton and Lynmouth provided a fitting backdrop for an event celebrating endurance, history, and the indomitable spirit of adventure recently. As the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway officially opened for the 2025 season, a...
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New festival celebrates the beauty of Exmoor
A FESTIVAL that will be a “celebration of wildlife and wellbeing” focused on the unique flora and fauna of Exmoor is set to take place in May. Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA) has announced the initial line-up for its Exmoor Nature Festival, in...
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Charity’s expansion plan to connect more with nature
THE National Trust is breaking new ground at Arlington Court with ambitious plans for a new outdoor hub. The trust has submitted plans for the outdoor hub at North Woolley, Shirwell, on the Arlington Court estate. The project aims to provide an...
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Training targets remote areas to help save more lives
Training targets remote areas to help save more lives
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Ruth’s a cut above the rest as she takes world record
»»THE NHS in Devon has launched local engagement around the 10 year health plan, which will run in parallel with, and support, the national Change NHS campaign. Between November 2024 and February 28 members of the public and patients in Devon, as well...
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Teaming up to beat marine litter blighting coastline
NORTH Devon is hoping to win the fight against marine litter with a new rapid response team launched to help clear the coastline of washed-up litter. A day of action is also taking place at certain beaches across the area this weekend as Plastic Fee...
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Calls for hikers to lace up boots to support children’s hospice
CHILDREN’S Hospice South West (CHSW) is calling for people to lace up their walking boots and take on the Incredible Hike in May. The fundraiser takes place from Friday, May 16, to Sunday, May 18, and covers 60 miles along the South West Coast Path...
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Rangers restore Exmoor after storm damage
NATIONAL Trust rangers have been working hard to clear more than 300 fallen trees from footpaths and roads across West Exmoor in the aftermath of Storm Darragh. This clearance work at Heddon Valley, near Parracombe, will restore access to miles of...
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Councils eye merger for ‘devolution deal’
FOUR Devon councils are understood to be in talks about becoming a single authority in response to the Government’s devolution white paper. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner published proposals before Christmas that would essentially abolish the...
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Carols by Candlelight hits right note for charity
» St Mary’s School choir was among those helping to raise much-needed funds for Children’s Hospice South West.
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Storm Darragh rips off hotel roof and causes destruction
CLEAR up operations have been continuing this week to repair damage caused by strong winds as Storm Darragh bombarded North Devon at the weekend. The area was among those put under a severe weather warning, with a red alert for the North Devon...
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World-class sports pitches set to benefit 400 children a week
A BIDEFORD school has opened a brand-new all-weather sports pitch, opening up world-class facilities to pupils and the community. Kingsley School Devon has opened the Grenville Pitch – a stateof-the-art facility approved for use by both FIFA and World...
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Post Office closure would be ‘kick in teeth’ to town
POLITICIANS and councillors are campaigning for post office services to be retained in Bideford as a decision is awaited on the future of the branch. Torridge and Tavistock Conservative MP Sir Geoffrey Cox is seeking assurances that the full range of...
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Plans to upgrade hospital staff accommodation go in
FIFTY-YEAR-OLD staff accommodation at North Devon District Hospital is expected to be demolished and replaced with a modern building. It is the first phase of work to upgrade the hospital in Barnstaple and is considered key to recruitment and staff...
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Communities come together to remember the fallen
NORTH Devon paid tribute to the fallen heroes at its Remembrance Sunday service and on Armistice Day on Monday. On Sunday the event in Barnstaple focussed around the War Memorial in Rock Park, with the parade heading from Ladies Mile before the wreath...
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Budget ‘body blow’ for the family farm
NORTH Devon’s two MPs have taken aim at the Government’s tax-raising Budget, claiming it will make life harder for ordinary people. Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled her Budget last week where she detailed a whopping rise of £40 billion in taxes. But...
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‘Delight’ as cargo ships return to histroic port
ENVIRONMENT leaders at North Devon Council have reported “minimal issues” with the waste and recycling service over the busiest three months of the year, despite potential disruption from improvement works at its headquarters. A £3.7 million revamp at...
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Pride as Class of 2024 graduates in vibrant ceremony
»»PETROC’S University Centre for Northern Devon (UCND) proudly celebrated the graduation of its higher education class of 2024 in a vibrant ceremony held at The Cedars Inn on Friday. Friends, family and faculty gathered to honour the achievements of...
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£4m English block gives school new literary legacy
»»CHURCHGOERS in a village near Barnstaple are to get a new loo. At the moment, the congregation and visitors to the Grade I-listed St Peter’s Church at Shirwell have to use facilities at the village hall, which can only be accessed by steep...
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On a crest of a wave! Club is surf life saving champions
WOOLACOMBE Surf Life Saving Club has been crowned the top in the country after winning a prestigious national title. The club has been awarded the accolade of ‘Super Life Saving Club’ of 2024 having scored the most points in total across all national...
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Mission: Unbreakable issues fresh appeal for volunteers
NORTH Devon Hospice is calling on supporters to lend a hand and volunteer at this year’s Mission: Unbreakable event. The hospice is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to help ensure the event runs smoothly and that participants have an unforgettable...
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