Summary

  • Premier Foods considers Ambrosia sale

  • Government cash to tackle Devon potholes

  • Car seats and door panels dumped in Barnstaple

  • Battery-dump 'disgrace'

  • Principal resigns after no confidence vote

  • Power outages in Cornwall homes

  • Devon couple named as fatal crash victims

  • Scotland's Hogg to join Exeter in 2019

  • Updates on Tuesday 13 November 2018

  1. Flybe up for sale after profit warningpublished at 10:02 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2018

    The regional airline's board says it is in discussions about a potential sale of the company.

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  2. Pilot gig racing comes to Sussexpublished at 18:32 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November 2018

    How the sport of pilot gig racing has arrived in the waters of Lewes.

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  3. Injured Warriors forwards out for seasonpublished at 18:00 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November 2018

    Injured Worcester forwards Ryan Bower and flanker Zac Xiourouppa are both expected to miss the rest of the season.

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  4. Tonight's weather: Mostly dry and clearpublished at 17:50 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November 2018

    BBC Weather

    Devon

    Mostly dry with clear spells and variable amounts of cloud tonight.

    There's the chance of a shower along the north coast - it will be a blustery night with a moderate to fresh southerly wind.

    Tomorrow will see a mostly dry day with sunny spells.

    Mild with a brisk southerly breeze becoming south easterly.

    Weather chart

    Cornwall

    A fairly mild, dry and clear night with moderate to fresh southerly winds.

    There's the chance of a shower particularly along the north coast.

    Tomorrow will be dry with patchy cloud and sunny spells and a fresh to strong breeze in exposed parts and over the Isles of Scilly.

    Weather chart
  5. Beer garden plans could lead to 'excessive drinking'published at 17:49 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November 2018

    Daniel Clark
    Local Democracy Reporting Service

    Plans for a new riverfront beer garden for Barnstaple have been revealed.

    The proposals have been submitted to North Devon Council to change the use of the land opposite The Water Gate to allow it to be used as a beer garden.

    The plans would see the existing green space and quadrant area opposite the pub and next to the River Taw become a beer garden for the pub, although it would be physically separate.

    Beer garden plansImage source, JDW

    Documents submitted with application say: “This section of The Strand has benefited from an investment in the town into this shared surface primarily pedestrian-only area alongside the river".

    The site of the proposed remote beer garden is flanked by the river wall, and riverside café.

    The planning documents admit that the beer garden could result in various downsides for the area, including excessive drinking, possible lack of customer control, and violent behaviour.

    However, the company also gives mitigating controls such as staff monitoring and removal of furniture when the beer garden is closed.

  6. Missing Exmouth woman foundpublished at 16:57 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November 2018

    Hayley Westcott
    BBC News Online

    A woman who was reported missing from Exmouth has been located "safe and well", police have said.

    Officers have thanked the public for their assistance.

  7. Funding to help vulnerable women granted after PCC bidpublished at 16:46 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November 2018

    Hayley Westcott
    BBC News Online

    A scheme to provide vulnerable women in Devon and Cornwall with outreach workers is to get £234,238 of government funding.

    The Police and Crime Commissioner bid for the money after investigative work by her team found there weren't "sufficient gender specific services available" in parts of the region.

    Alison Hernandez said there's a problem because the nearest prison for women is 200 miles away in Gloucestershire and rehabilitation "only happens when offenders are well connected with their family and community".

    The funding, from the Ministry of Justice, will pay for a 17-month pilot project to an alliance formed of groups in both counties.

    Alison Hernandez
    Image caption,

    The government funding was awarded after a bid by Police and Crime Commissioner, Alison Hernandez

    Quote Message

    Much of the work of my office is not only focused on policing but on the causes of crime. I'm grateful that the government recognises the importance of our isolated women within the South West by funding these schemes and I'd like to thank all of those who have worked on this successful bid.

    Alison Hernandez, Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner

  8. 'Banksy-esque' artwork appears in St Austellpublished at 16:04 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November 2018

    Cornwall Live

    Residents in St Austell have praised Banksy-esque artwork that has been popping up across the town, external. Photos of the graffiti have been shared across social media over the past week, with the unknown artist having been dubbed "Stanksy".

  9. Rowing clubs sets sights on world championshipspublished at 15:27 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November 2018

    Charlie Rose
    Reporter, BBC South East Today

    It started as a race to win lucrative fees helping ships into harbour, and today it's a highly competitive global sport.

    Now pilot gig racing is taking to the waters of Sussex.

  10. Man, 29, missing from Brixhampublished at 15:23 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November 2018

    Hayley Westcott
    BBC News Online

    A 29-year-old man has gone missing from Brixham, police have said.

    James Parkes was last seen in the town on Monday and officers are concerned for his welfare.

    He's described as white, 5ft 8in (1.7m) tall, slim, with cropped brown hair and a beard.

    He has a tattoo of "Bethy" on his neck, officers added.

    Anyone with information is asked to contact Devon and Cornwall Police.

  11. Plans for new Smyths Toys store in Exeter approvedpublished at 15:22 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November 2018

    Daniel Clark
    Local Democracy Reporting Service

    Plans for a new Smyths Toys store to open in Exeter on the site of the former Toys R Us shop have been approved.

    The largest toy retailer in Europe - which has more than 110 outlets in the UK - announced earlier this year it would be taking over part of the floor space previously occupied by Toys R Us prior to its closure in March - at Bishops Court Retail Park, off Sidmouth Road.

    A spokesperson for Bishops Court said Smyths is a "great addition" to the park and will provide Exeter with an "excellent replacement toy retailer".

    The store is due to open in early 2019.

    Toys R Us siteImage source, LDRS
    Image caption,

    The new store will open on the former Toys R Us shop site in Exeter

  12. Car seats and door panels dumped in Barnstaple fly-tippingpublished at 14:26 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November 2018

    Hayley Westcott
    BBC News Online

    A full set of car seats and door panels have been dumped in Barnstaple.

    North Devon Council tweeted the photo, external of the fly-tipping at Tews Lane play area after it was discovered by an environmental warden.

    The authority has urged people to "stop messing around" and to keep local areas tidy.

    Anyone with information is asked to contact the council.

    fly-tipped seatsImage source, North Devon Council
  13. City College Plymouth principal resignspublished at 14:10 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November 2018

    Rob England
    BBC News Online

    The principal of City College Plymouth, Garry Phillips has resigned.

    It comes after an overwhelming vote of no confidence in him and the college's governors by staff.

    In a statement, Pauline Odulinski, chair of the college's board of governors said: "Regrettably, external pressures on the corporation and Garry have become a material distraction to the college's core purpose of supporting its students."

    Gary PhillipsImage source, LDRS

    The decision to appoint Mr Phillips has come under fire since a report - released earlier this month by the Further Education Commissioner - found there was a failure of governance and leadership at Phillips' previous college, Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College.

    The University and College Union (UCU) says under Phillips' leadership, the college went from a £5.7m surplus in 2015/16 to an £8m deficit in 2016/17.

    Following the departure, UCU regional official Philippa Davey said it was time to "halt" redundancy plans put forward by the former principal.

    "It is frustrating that staff were forced to deliver such a damning no confidence vote in Phillips and the governors for action to be taken."

    The college says Ben Manning will step into the role of Acting Principal until an interim and then permanent appointment is made.

  14. 'Some uncertainty' for Ambrosia workerspublished at 14:00 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November 2018

    BBC Radio Devon

    Mr Kipling cake company Premier Foods has said it is considering the sale of its Devon-based Ambrosia brand.

    Ambrosia

    Talks have been taking place with third parties over the possible sale of Ambrosia and its factory in Lifton, as a way to reduce the company's £500m debt.

    Chris Edmonds, chair of Lifton Parish Council said: "Ambrosia has a very loyal and hard working workforce."

    He said there could be "some uncertainty" for the workers but was "confident a purchaser would be found".

    He added he was optimistic it would be "business as usual" for the brand.

  15. Planning approval for Fisherman's Friends band memberpublished at 12:58 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November 2018

    Richard Whitehouse
    Local Democracy Reporting Service

    A member of the folk band Fisherman's Friends has been given permission by Cornwall Council to build three homes in an area of "outstanding natural beauty".

    Jon Cleave and his wife wanted to build on land near their Port Isaac home.

    Two of the homes would be affordable and used by their sons who live and work in the village while the third would be sold to help fund the development.

    Port Isaac development siteImage source, Google

    The planning application for land near Rose Hill had been recommended for refusal by planning officers as the site was too far from the village and that it would be harmful to the area.

    But St Endellion Parish Council said the village needed to encourage affordable housing.

    "This is a real village, not a film set," a spokesman said.

    "Mr Cleave's two sons are residents here, they own separate businesses in the village that are within a few minutes' walk of the site."

    Councillor Barry Jordan said: "If we approve it I am sure we can all become Fisherman's Friends."

    The committee granted approval by 10 votes to three.

  16. King misses out on World Class fundingpublished at 12:43 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November 2018

    Brent Pilnick
    BBC Sport

    Plymouth hurdler David King has been dropped from British Athletics' World Class Programme.

    David KingImage source, Getty Images

    The scheme sees the UK's top athletes receive lottery funding but 110m hurdler King, who has been part of it for the past two years, misses out after a disappointing 2018.

    He failed to make it out of the heats at the Commonwealth Games in March and was a losing semi-finalist at the European Championships in August.

  17. The 'Paper Man' turning cardboard into artpublished at 12:30 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November 2018

    How James Lake turns sheets of cardboard into pieces of art, with glue and a pair of scissors.

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  18. Government cash injection to tackle Devon's potholespublished at 11:44 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November 2018

    Daniel Clark
    Local Democracy Reporting Service

    A cash injection of nearly £20m to fix Devon's potholes has been revealed by the Department for Transport.

    Devon County Council will get £18.75m to improve the roads in the county as part of a £420m fund to tackle potholes nationwide.

    The council has welcomed the funding from government and has said work has begun to make best use of the cash.

    In 2016/17, 60,639 potholes across the 8,000-mile road network managed by Devon County Council were reported, a Freedom of Information Request to the council revealed.

    Across the wider South West, an extra £71.9m investment is being made, which includes £1m in Plymouth, £646,000 in Torbay, and just over £10m in Cornwall.

    The RAC said while it welcomed the investment, a "long-term" plan was needed to completely repair the country's scarred road surfaces.

    pothole
    Quote Message

    Potholes are a huge problem for all road users, and too often we see issues occurring at the same place time after time. That is why the government is investing more in improving our roads than at any time before - £15bn between 2015 and 2020 and a further £28.8 bn to 2025. The South West will be getting an extra £71m this winter to keep its roads in good condition to keep drivers and cyclists safe.

    Jesse Noman, Roads Minister

  19. Chiefs quintet retain England placespublished at 11:39 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November 2018

    Brent Pilnick
    BBC Sport

    All five Exeter players have retained their places in the England squad for the final autumn Test against Japan on Saturday.

    Ben MoonImage source, Getty Images

    Ben Moon - who made his first start for England against New Zealand last week - joins fellow props Alec Hepburn and Harry Williams in the squad.

    Centre Henry Slade and winger Jack Nowell are also included in Eddie Jones' initial 30-man party.

  20. Principal 'thanks' staff after no confidence votepublished at 10:54 Greenwich Mean Time 13 November 2018

    Ed Oldfield
    Local Democracy Reporting Service

    City College Plymouth principal Garry Phillips thanked staff for their "continued support" several hours after an overwhelming vote of no confidence in him, a financial consultant and the governors.

    In the Friday ballot all except one of the 350 workforce polled by the University College Union (UCU) said they did not have confidence in Mr Phillips as head of the college.

    Garry PhillipsImage source, City College Plymouth

    Before the confidence vote, the union had asked the college to suspend a restructuring plan which would see the loss of more than 50 jobs by Christmas as part of £1.4m savings by the end of the financial year.

    Mr Phillips' email to staff on Friday afternoon said: "Thank you for your continued support and kind words throughout this week in relation to recent events."

    Mr Phillips said he would be meeting staff on 13 November to provide information and an update in relation to the feedback from a visit by Further Education Commissioner last week to check the finances of the college.

    The college has been under pressure from the union to explain the appointment of Mr Phillips after a report exposed serious failings at his previous workplace, Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College.

    The investigation report into West London College released by the Further Education Commissioner cited a failure of governance and leadership.

    Under Mr Phillips' leadership, the college went from a £5.7m surplus in 2015/16 to an £8m deficit in 2016/17.

    City College Plymouth has been approached for comment.