The latest news as it happens across Barnstaple Torrington & surrounding North Devon areas important updates and local opinions from Barnstaple Find leisure and lifestyle news from Barnstaple All the latest uplifting news from Barnstaple Torrington & surrounding North Devon areas from our local reporters property sales & property of the week in Barnstaple Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter Support our mission and join our community now you can subscribe for as little as €0.50 per week which will also give you access to all of our premium content and archived articles Thank you for supporting Ireland's best local journalism The Liberal Democrats have emerged with the most seats in North Devon and Torridge and the Green Party picked up one in Ilfracombe The council is made up of 60 councillors across 58 electoral divisions the following 13 divisions are being contested: Bideford West and Hartland - declared  Holsworthy Rural - declared  Torrington Rural - declared  Barnstaple North - declared  Barnstaple South - declared  Chulmleigh and Landkey - declared  Combe Martin Rural - declared  Fremington Rural - declared  This live feed will be updated throughout the day as results are announced Richard Leonard Alan Hopley (Reform UK) – 1,298 votes (Elected) Paul John Henderson (Conservative Party) – 1,263 votes David John Worden (Liberal Democrats) – 1,142 votes Steven William Hinchliffe (Labour Party) – 215 votes Mark Andrew Barry (Reform UK) – 1,117 votes (Elected) Linda Joan Hellyer (Conservative Party) – 637 votes Rachel Anne Clarke (Liberal Democrats) – 559 votes Cheryl Lavinia Cottle-Hunkin (Liberal Democrats) – 2,228 votes (Elected) Liana Raye Alexander (Reform UK) – 1,222 votes Thomas John Elliott (Conservative Party) – 1,023 votes Deborah Charlotte Darling (Labour and Co-operative Party) – 107 votes Dermot McGeough (Conservative Party) – 1,500 votes (Elected) Kerry Samantha O’Rourke (Liberal Democrats) – 819 votes Emma Louise Robbins (Labour Party) – 200 votes 12.37pm: Combe Martin Rural results in: Andrea Vivienne Davis (Conservative Party) – 1,365 votes (Elected) Kelvin Leigh McKechnie (Reform UK) – 1,038 votes Josh Rutty (Liberal Democrats) – 641 votes Oliver John Leslie Bell (Labour Party) – 123 votes Kyle James Chivers (Green Party) – 313 votes 12.35pm: Fremington Rural results in: Frank Lindsay Biederman (Liberal Democrats) – 2,284 votes (Elected) Gary Lionel Beglin (Conservative Party) – 362 votes Gemma Lorraine Rolstone (Labour Party) – 37 votes Sara Jane Wilson (Green Party) – 1,040 votes - Elected Paul Edward Crabb (Conservative Party) – 728 votes June Williams (Liberal Democrats) – 458 votes 12.25pm: Chulmleigh & Landkey results in Ed Tyldesley (Liberal Democrats) – 1,262 votes - Elected Glyn Lane (Conservative Party) – 811 votes David James Smale (Green Party) – 257 votes Valerie Jean Cann (Labour Party) – 58 votes Faye Marion Davies (Independent) – 28 votes Graham Matthew Bell (Liberal Democrats) – 1,310 votes - Elected Pru Maskell (Conservative Party) – 1,194 votes David Charles John Relph (Green Party) – 185 votes Syed Jusef (Liberal Democrats) – 1,433 votes - Elected Lisa Jayne Mackenzie (Conservative Party) – 324 votes Helen Mary Marini (Labour Party) – 149 votes 12.06pm - Barnstaple South results in The results for Barnstaple South are now in and the successful candidate is Caroline Frances Herringham from the Liberal Democrats Here's the full breakdown of the votes in order: 12.04pm – Holsworthy Rural Results In Holsworthy Rural Lynne Phyllis Rowsell from Reform UK has been elected Lynne Phyllis Rowsell (Reform UK) – 1,753 – Elected Nigel John Evan Kenneally (Liberal Democrats) – 1,665 Stephen Ralph Gibson (Conservative Party) – 1,099 11.40am – Bideford West & Hartland Results The first result of the day has been declared for Bideford West & Hartland where Robin Julian from Reform UK has been elected Robin Julian (Reform UK) – 1,079 – Elected Claire Louise Davey-Potts (Liberal Democrats) – 973 Jeff Wilton-Love (Conservative Party) – 519 " + $(".testo_articolo").html().replace(//g please subscribe and support local journalism Subscribing will allow you access to all of our premium content and archived articles To continue reading this article for FREE,please kindly register and/or log in Registration is absolutely 100% FREE and will help us personalise your experience on our sites You can also sign up to our carefully curated newsletter(s) to keep up to date with your latest local news Torrington Mayfair brought plenty of splendid costumes – and sunshine – to the 2025 instalment of the traditional event The site for Landkey’s new Mazzard Hall which has bene on the village wish list for more than two decades Young revellers and the iconic Ilfracombe May giants arrive at the seafront for Ilfracombe's Jack-in-the-Green 2025 The rediscovered bell in ‘the cupula’ at Barnstaple Guildhall – thought to date from the early 18th century Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm Brixham edge past Barnstaple to reach semi-finals The latest news as it happens across Torquay Find out what is happening & the latest breaking news in Torbay important updates and local opinions from Torquay Paignton & Brixham at the Torbay Weekly News Torquay United FC match reports & opinions and other Local sports news days out for the kids and amazing holiday ideas in Torquay Your source of news from beyond the bay covering Devon News and UK News The Torbay Weekly Business awards celebrates the accomplishments of Torbay based Businesses and brings together the Torbay Business community Paignton & Brixham from the local community & our Torbay based reporters property sales & property of the week in Torquay Get your local Torbay traffic & travel reports and airport departures in and around Torquay The amazing rivalry between Barnstaple RFC and Brixham RFC delivered one final act of drama at Pottington Road After an epic race for promotion to the National League pyramid Barum just pipped the Fishermen to promotion with just one point separating the two clubs in their league encounters It was written in the stars that they would meet again in the Papa Johns Community Cup and with a place in the semi-final up for grabs the first leg in South Devon served up a sensational match Brixham holding off their North Devon visitors to secure an enthralling 47-38 victory The Fishermen took that nine-point advantage into the return leg in a sunny North Devon and Brixham struck the first blow to extend their overall advantage to three points via a Mitch Pinkus penalty Barnstaple responded with a heap of pressure on their visitors and Brixham succumbed with an infringement that resulted in a yellow card for Jason Capaldi and Barum now had their tails up and crossed the line in a more orthodox manner with a score from James Fraser to lead 12-3 on the day as these Devon rivals once again showed how this rivalry has developed into the stuff of legend Connor Doneathy dotting down to make it 12-10 and the visitors had a seven-point cushion to protect in the second 40 minutes the first twist after the break fell in favour of Barnstaple Ryan Lee scoring the try and Jordan Petherbridge slotted the conversion 19-10 in favour of the hosts and all level in the aggregate score A penalty restored Brixham’s narrow advantage but Barum then took the overall lead for the first time since the early stages of the first leg in South Devon Brandon Moore notching the try with 20 minutes left to play and the Fishermen now had to recover a two-point deficit working through the phases for Andre Simonetti to dive over and everyone inside Pottington Road took a deep breath Barnstaple threw everything at their visitors with Brixham talisman Matt Crosscombe picking up a red card the Fishermen just held on for the overall victory Another brilliant encounter and a credit to Devon rugby While Barnstaple can still take huge satisfaction from their league triumph Brixham move on to a semi-final showdown at home to Oundle RFC from Peterborough at Astley Park on Saturday Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez Image: Al Macphee / Miracle PR and Event Photography The ad-free version is ready for purchase on iOS mobile app today we couldn't find that page";var n=e.querySelector("h2");return n&&n.remove(),{staticContent:e,title:t}},d=function(e){var t=document.createElement("button");return t.innerText=e,t.classList.add("error-page-button"),t},f=function(e){var t=document.createElement("div");t.id="recirculation-404",t.classList.add("brand-hint-bg");var n="\n \n \n Tick here if you would like us to send you the author’s response Organisers of Barnstaple Carnival have launched a fundraising campaign to restore the town’s ceremonial carriage ahead of this year’s summer festivities Fresh off the back of a successful 2024 revival the dedicated team of volunteers behind the annual parade is already preparing for an even larger spectacle in 2025 One of their top priorities is the refurbishment of the Carnival Carriage – the distinctive float that carries the town’s Carnival Royalty at the head of the procession the project manager overseeing the restoration but the decorative elements are in urgent need of attention “Some much needed 'TLC' is needed,” Kev said “The vehicle is structurally sound but it's the decorative element that has seen better days.” He added that the aim is to complete the work in time for the peak carnival season this summer allowing the 2024 Royalty to end their reign in style before handing over their titles “As with everything, it all comes at a price, and although we were able to give to charities as a result of last year’s collections on the day, this has been an expense we hadn't foreseen. We are hoping that the great people of Barnstaple may be able to help us out,” Kev said A GoFundMe page has been launched to support the refurbishment The funds raised will go towards restoring the coach to a condition that reflects positively on the town as it tours other carnivals throughout the region “We hope to make it good for years to come and have something that gives a good impression of the town when visiting other carnivals will be gratefully received and put to good use,” Kev added Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right Almost 300 former pupils who left Pilton School in the summer of 1976 are being sought by organisers planning a 50-year reunion to celebrate the milestone—and The event will take place at Pilton School in the same reception lounge where the Class of '76 once gathered as teenagers It aims to reunite students who attended the Chaddiford Lane site between 1971 and 1976 The reunion is expected to serve as both a nostalgic celebration and a chance for attendees to reflect on the paths they have taken since leaving school The early 1970s marked a significant turning point for the institution. In 1971, the school—formerly Barnstaple Secondary Modern School for Girls—welcomed boys for the first time The transformation into a comprehensive school came a year later following the closure of Barnstaple Boys’ Secondary Modern on Derby Road and it was then renamed Pilton Community College was head girl in 1975-76 and is leading the organising team Carol said: “It will be great to see everyone again a fantastic opportunity to renew old friendships and find out what everyone have been up to over the last 50 years!” She added: “I don't know where the time has gone so I guess my peers must all be feeling the same We are now either retired or not far off the big day so there must be hundreds of funny and interesting stories that can be shared over a glass of wine!” Organisers hope to bring together as many classmates as possible and are encouraging them to return to Barnstaple for the special occasion. A dedicated Facebook group— Pilton School, class of '76 - Retirement Reunion 2025 —has been created where members can share old photos and memorabilia ahead of the event Those attending the reunion will also have the opportunity to see themselves projected “in all their former glory” on the night Tickets are available from Kings Carpets in Barnstaple Papa Johns located in Boutport Street in Barnstaple Papa Johns has confirmed that its Barnstaple branch is among 13 stores to close after it ended its relationship with a franchisee operating across the South West and beyond The Gazette understands staff were not given prior notice and say they remain unclear about their employment status or whether they will be paid for past shifts A Papa Johns spokesperson told the Gazette: “We hold all our restaurants to the highest standards and expect our franchisees to operate with integrity and in line with our values we have ended our relationship with this franchisee.  we are working to secure new ownership and reopen as soon as possible Our priority is delivering quality pizza and a great experience for our customers while supporting our teams through this transition.” The Barnstaple store on Boutport Street is currently listed as “temporarily closed” on Google Employees claim they were informed of the closure via a message from franchise owner Jabbar Mumtaz told the Gazette: “None of us were given any notice We’ve had no confirmation about whether we’ll be paid for the work we’ve already done It’s left us completely in the dark and extremely worried.” was reported to have acquired the Devon and Cornwall Papa Johns franchise in late 2023 after the previous operator went bust The 13 stores currently listed as temporarily closed are: People who live or work in Barnstaple will soon be able to have their say on the public art they would like to see in the town centre an initiative led by North Devon Council and supported by Arts Council England's Cultural Development Fund is introducing public art to the town centre as part of its mission to revitalise Barnstaple by supporting developing and promoting cultural activity in the town After an open call for expressions of interest brought more than 60 responses 11 artists have been selected to develop their ideas for public art through a tender process.  The exciting proposals will be on display from Wednesday 12 February at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon will be able to vote for their favourites by filling out a form at the locations or online The public vote will form part of the selection process alongside a panel made up of representatives from North Devon Council Barnstaple Town Team for Culture and the local community Cultural Partnership Board representative for North Devon Council Councillor Mark Haworth-Booth said: "After an incredible response to our call for expressions of interest we are delighted to be able to display these exciting proposals The winning project will take pride of place in the town centre so we want as many people as possible to take a look at the proposals and have their say either at the venues across Barnstaple or online." Voting will open along with the displays on Wednesday 12 February, and will close at midnight on Wednesday 19 February. Votes can be cast online at barnstaple.co.uk The results will be announced in the first week of March Expressions of interest are being invited for public artworks in Barnstaple town centre as part of North Devon Council's Flourishing Barnstaple initiative developed in collaboration with the Barnstaple Town Team for Culture Pizza outlet Papa Johns in Barnstaple has reportedly closed - leaving staff worried whether they will be paid and if they will lose their jobs The Gazette understands that workers were told about the closure by the franchise owner via a group message although there has been no official confirmation of the shutdown But an online search via Google shows the High Street store has “temporarily closed” On the official Papa Johns Barnstaple website it reads: "This store is not currently accepting online orders." Other locations reportedly affected include Plymouth our franchise owner sent us a message informing us that the business is shutting down “We’ve had no confirmation about whether we’ll be paid for the work we’ve already done and we don’t know where we stand in terms of our jobs or wages We’re left completely in the dark and extremely worried — especially in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis when most of us are already struggling to make ends meet." franchise owner Jabbar Mumtaz said that “external circumstances beyond our control” had left the business with “no path forward,” adding that a “new party” was expected to take over the stores She added: “Jabbar helped save our jobs just over a year ago Now we’re back in the same position with no answers.” It was reported in December 2023 that Mr Mumtaz had taken over the Papa Johns franchise for Devon and Cornwall after the previous operator went bust Staff claim they have reached out to the Papa Johns head office but were told the situation was not its responsibility and some were advised to apply for benefits The Gazette has contacted Papa Johns and Mr Mumtaz for comment in Barnstaple returns to town this March with another series of gigs for the community to enjoy thanks to the Flourishing Barnstaple initiative As with the successful inaugural series in October 2024 each night will feature a different artist at a different Barnstaple venue shining a light on some of the town's brilliant local independent venues and artists across a range of music styles.  Lee Baxendale said: "Through our Flourishing Barnstaple initiative we are running the Live series to promote local artists and venues - the events profile a range of artists and music styles The events are also either free or a £5 ticket which hopefully encourages people to come out and try something new." In Barnstaple is part of Flourishing Barnstaple Full details for the events can be found online at https://www.barnstaple.co.uk/whats-on VE Day celebrations in Barnstaple on May 8 Credit: Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon Communities across North Devon and Torridge are gearing up to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day and the end of World War Two in Europe with a range of events and celebrations 1945 following the unconditional surrender of Germany and bringing to and end the war in Europe after five years of conflict that claimed tens of millions of lives While the war with Japan continued until VJ Day on August 15 VE Day in Europe sparked mass celebrations as nations rejoiced at liberation from tyranny and the unending toil of years of war the 80th anniversary will be marked with events right across the UK and Europe with most towns and parishes in North Devon and Torridge hosting various celebrations from street parties to music and lighting beacons The North Devon Gazette has collated some of the main events, but in case we’ve missed yours, please do email us the details at newsdesk@northdevongazette.co.uk or post on our Facebook page and we will add them to our online listing Barnstaple has plenty going on over several days starting with a flag raising ceremony at Rock Park on Thursday From the Thursday to Saturday there will be free showings of a new commemorative film about WW2 and North Devon VE 80 craft activities and historical talks at Barnstaple Pannier Market The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon has a VE Day 80- commemorative display running from Thursday to Saturday entry is free and it is an opportunity to discover more about the town during WW2 with a variety of pictures and artefacts Above: A VE Day street party at Belle Meadow in Barnstaple on May 8 The museum will be hosting a day of VE Day celebrations on Saturday (May 10) from 10am to 4.30pm with free drop-in children’s art and craft activities (10am-12pm and 1-3pm) period vehicles outside the Museum on The Square (tbc) bunting throughout the museum hand-crafted by volunteers plus traditional treats and cream teas for sale in Bromley’s Tearoom Various events and exhibitions and a cream tea dance are expected around the museum and Queen Anne’s Café on The Strand May 11 the Veterans Charity is hosting a day of entertainment The VE80 Festival will be the finale of several days of commemoration and celebration across Barnstaple starting on the 80th anniversary of VE Day a VE Day Street Party is also taking place inside the market from 12noon to 2pm with the market decorated especially for the occasion People are invited to bring their own foods but crockery and cutlery will be provided The aim is to create a ‘traditional British street party’ and there will be live music and entertainment during the event There will be two punch and Judy shows plus magic from local performer Dave Hendy South Molton has a day of events around the town on VE Day itself starting with a flag raising at the Pannier Market at 9am The market stays central to events through the day including a special VE Day Market with raffle and live music from 8.30am to 1pm plus at 2.30pm a plaque will be unveiled honouring all who served and died for their country It will be unveiled by Paddy King-Fretts and the Mayor together with choir performances by local schools The South Molton Assembly Rooms are hosting Tommy Tea form 1.30-5pm An afternoon of 1940s nostalgia with live artists At South Molton Community College from 5.30-8pm there will be food and music with The Singing Ringers and Barnstaple Ladies Choir plus a performance by college students The town church bells will ring out at 6.30pm and a beacon will be lit in the town Square at 9.30pm Ilfracombe Town Council is hosting a shared moment of celebration and reflection to look back on the 80th anniversary of VE Day on Thursday People are invited to gather from 10.50am for an 11am start on the Clapping Circle on the seafront the Right Reverend Mike Harrison will lead a service at St Peter’s Church a display created by crafters from the village and around the world The cascade will be a central feature of the village VE80 Commemoration on Thursday St Peter’s Church will host a Memories Exhibition photos and excerpts from A Schoolgirl’s War by Mary Smith The Thursday Café in the Village Hall will extend its hours from 2–5pm offering special refreshments and war-era songs a 7pm concert by The Jubilee Singers and the lighting of Bratton Fleming’s Lamp of Peace at 9.30pm Combe Martin Parish Council is encouraging villagers to decorate their house with flags and bunting from the weekend of May 3 A ‘best dressed house’ competition will run for the duration The council will also be unveiling a Royal British Legion ‘Unknown Tommy’ statue the town council will be hosting VE Day celebrations at the Pollyfield Centre on Thursday leading up to the lighting of a beacon at 9.30pm The bells of St Mary’s Church will ring out to kick things off while at the Pollyfield Bideford Youth Pipe Band will play with performances from Tamsin Ball plus Bideford Town Band playing music from the 1940s.  At 9pm the Town Crier will read out a proclamation followed by the reading of the names of the fallen from the Borough of Bideford Roll of Honour 1939–1945.  After the beacon is lit a tribute will be read followed by the band and Tamsin leading a rendition of ‘I Vow to Thee My Country’ There will be a buffet during the evening and CMC Productions will also provide musical support Great Torrington Town Council is hosting a VE Day 80th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday May 10 at the Town Hall and Pannier Market There will be free dance workshops at the hall with Step into Swingtime at 1-2.30pm (swing jive) and 3.30-5pm (Linfy hop) That should help the feet move freely for the live 1940s music from 5.30-9pm in the Pannier Market with The Hummingbirds and Torrington Silver Band May 3 is VE Day-themed and the fancy dress competition for ages three to 16 will see plenty of 1940s attire Holsworthy Town Council is also hosting a day of VE Day celebrations on May 8 with a 9am proclamation and flag-raising outside St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church followed by an Act of Remembrance at the Tree Memorial in Stanhope Park at 11am A Street Celebration is being held in the Square from 5.30pm with a ‘free’ fish supper and family entertainment before a tribute is read at 9pm and a beacon will be lit a three-show production called Let’s Celebrate has been created by Holsworthy Amateur Theatrical Society and will play at their venue in Bodmin Street at 7.30pm each night on the Thursday It is a lively show with a cast of more than 40 people with ages ranging from eight to the mid 70s and reflects the life and times of Holsworthy folk who lived through the war years Tickets are available from www.holsworthytheatre.co.uk or Ticketsource on 0333 666 3366 Buckland Brewer is staging a VE Day Family Fun Day on Saturday May 10 at the village playing field from 2-6pm with 1940s and wartime dress greatly encouraged The Buckland Brewer History Group is also curating memories and memorabilia from parishioners of WW2 The collection will be exhibited in the Parish Church from May 1 until May 19 and the church will be open daily between 10 am and 4pm and until 7pm on VE Day when the History Group will be in attendance all day Once the exhibition has been dismantled the group proposes to create a permanent exhibition space in the church to honour the contribution Buckland Brewer people have made to all global conflicts If you have items that commemorate a person, civilian or military, or an event, relating to Buckland Brewer during the time of war and you would like it to form part of the permanent display, get in touch via the group website at https://bucklandbrewerhistorygroup.wordpress.com Ashreigney is hosting a barbecue with free entry in the village on Thursday A bar and hit drinks will be available plus a beacon will be lit at 9.30pm a short display of low noise fireworks will conclude the event The venue will be clearly signposted but an approximate postcode is EX18 7NE A British-themed Sunday roast with beef or nut roast trifle or apple crumble for afters will be held on Sunday The Singing Ringers will perform during the afternoon and there will be a tombola Tickets (£15 adult) and more information are available from Katherine Cole by emailing ashreigneyparishcouncil@mail.com or call 07817 230815 All proceeds from both events will be donated to SSAFA (The Soldiers Airmen Families Association) and the Ashreigney Village Hall Restoration Fund Keep up to date with more VE Day 80 events in Torridge via https://www.torridge.gov.uk/veday80/localevents North Devon’s events listing can be found on the district council website at https://www.northdevon.gov.uk/council/ve-and-vj-day-celebrations-2025 If we’ve missed out your VE Day event, please email us at newsdesk@northdevongazette.co.uk and we’ll add it to our online listing Garry Sussex running his daily marathon on the treadmill at Tarka Leisure Centre to raise funds for ChemoHero A Barnstaple man is set to complete an incredible challenge tomorrow running 30 marathons in 30 days at the Tarka Leisure Centre to raise money for the local charity ChemoHero Garry Sussex has been running a marathon every day throughout April and will finish his remarkable feat on April 30.  a charity that provides chemotherapy patients with boxes full of useful and luxury items at North Devon Hospital the mother of ChemoHero founder Lisa Wallis said: “ChemoHero are so proud of Garry for taking on this challenge His effort will help us continue the legacy Lisa left behind." which has been sending 'boxes of kindness' to patients at the Seymour Unit in Barnstaple was founded by Lisa Wallis after her own breast cancer diagnosis Lisa wanted to ensure that no one would feel as lonely or scared as she did during her first chemotherapy treatment Each box is filled with essential items and a few luxury items to help make treatment a little kinder modest man who has taken on most of this challenge solo His grit and determination remind us all of the strength that people find when faced with a cancer diagnosis His fundraising will help someone feel less alone." Garry has been running on the treadmill at the leisure centre each day “He compared himself to Eddie Izzard today "Eddie probably had medical support and lots of celebrity coverage wanted to support the charity as he used to run with the trio.  This challenge is something Garry had planned to take on two years ago but an injury delayed his efforts until now Garry will run his final marathon at Tarka Leisure Centre he will finish the challenge later in the day at 6.15pm when he will run alongside a friend.  Sarah is hoping for a strong show of support with others coming to cheer Garry on as he tackles his final stretch Police have released this image of Ryan Miller as part of their appeal Police have issued an appeal after a man was reported missing from Barnstaple was last seen at around 9am on Monday 28 April in the town He wears glasses and was last seen wearing navy jeans and a blue T-shirt with pictures of beer on it Mr Miller is known to have links to Lynmouth in North Devon.  Anyone who sees Ryan or has information about his whereabouts is urged to call police on 999 The Taw Bridge © Copyright Ian Capper A man has been brought to safety following a concern for welfare incident on a bridge in Barnstaple Emergency services were called shortly after 5.25pm yesterday (Thursday 10 April) to Taw Bridge after reports that a man was on the wrong side of the barrier A road closure was put in place while officers attended the scene Police said the man later moved to the right side of the railings and was taken to a place of safety who helps maintain emergency phones on local bridges said one of their suicide prevention phones had been stolen from the bridge less than 24 hours before the incident “The phones get used quite often,” he told the Gazette “It’s a shame that it wasn’t there today when it was really needed “It just goes to show how important these phones are to people “I can’t put it into words how soul destroying the events of the last couple of days have been “Need all the support I can get at the minute to keep these phones – and the reason they are on the bridges is so important.” Flourishing Barnstaple is excited to announce the successful artists chosen to create new public artworks for Barnstaple town centre Edward Crumpton and Jessica Pearson with ‘Quay Sounds’ An interactive sculpture to be installed at Rolle Quay that will celebrate Barnstaple’s heritage and creative spirit its copper horns will invite passers-by to connect with the quay’s past Featuring a taller horn for adults and a shorter accessible one for children and wheelchair users the sculpture will also incorporate soundscapes created by writers will reflect the voices and histories of Rolle Quay Inspired by Barnstaple’s maritime heritage and tidal rhythms this artwork will be situated on the Strand blending aesthetics with function to encourage visitors to engage with their surroundings it will feature three elevated clock-like faces showing high and low tides The clock hands are designed to echo those of Barnstaple’s iconic Albert Clock the dials will display only their two extremes offering a poetic representation of the river’s constant motion Athena Jane Churchill with ‘Welcome Sign Mosaic’ this mosaic will serve as a cultural and ecological gateway to Barnstaple reinforcing the town’s heritage and creativity it will provide a memorable first impression with wayfinding elements guiding visitors towards the town centre The mosaic will feature symbols of Barnstaple’s trade and references to Brannam Pottery and Shapland & Petter furniture It will also celebrate Barnstaple’s natural environment highlighting its place within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve After an open call for expressions of interest that attracted 63 talented submissions including local representatives and professionals from North Devon Council played a crucial role in selecting the winning designs Flourishing Barnstaple's Community Engagement Coordinator Michelle Nicholson-Sanz said: “We would like to thank everyone who took part in the public consultation voting for their favourite designs and sharing their valuable feedback "Our gratitude also goes to the members of the Town Team for Culture Public Art Subgroup whose ongoing support has been pivotal in bringing public art to Barnstaple from the outset of this initiative We also wish to acknowledge the evaluators whose expertise was instrumental in assessing the proposals we received The strong support from multiple stakeholders highlights the community's collective passion for making Barnstaple a more vibrant The selected artists will now work to finalise their pieces transforming key areas of Barnstaple into hubs of artistic expression These installations are set to engage both locals and visitors enriching the cultural fabric of the town and further enhancing Barnstaple's identity Flourishing Barnstaple is a North Devon Council initiative which has been made possible thanks to support from the Cultural Development Fund The aim of the initiative is to revitalise Barnstaple by supporting developing and promoting cultural activity within the town These public art commissions are just some of many exciting developments designed to foster community involvement and showcase Barnstaple’s unique character More information on events, activities and projects in Barnstaple can be found on www.barnstaple.co.uk A new long stay car park at Seven Brethren in Barnstaple will open next month replacing the current Seven Brethren long stay site Located between the football pitches at Tarka Leisure Centre and the recycling centre the new car park has 340 spaces and will serve as the home of Barnstaple Fair each September Permits will transfer over to the new car park upon opening meaning long stay permit holders do not need to take any action before using the new car park RingGo users will be able to park using the same location code of 3612 Works have been completed by local contractor SEL Clarke Groundworks for the car park utilised soil and stone from the demolition of the former North Devon Leisure Centre which includes a traveller toleration site with amenities at the rear of the car park has been delivered in partnership with Tarka Living Limited as part of the wider regeneration scheme for Seven Brethren Lead Member for Economic Development and Regeneration at North Devon Council said: "I'm delighted that the new Seven Brethren long stay will soon be open providing a cost-effective long stay option for those working in or visiting Barnstaple and providing a new home for the fair when it comes to town every September "Our thanks go to SEL Clarke for their hard work in delivering this facility which is one part of the Seven Brethren regeneration We look forward to working with Tarka Leisure Limited to realise the wider scheme." As well as the new long stay car park and traveller toleration site the Seven Brethren scheme will deliver new homes on the former leisure site and flood defences The council was awarded a £2.2m grant from the government's Land Release Fund (LRF) in 2019 The LRF was introduced to help councils unlock land for residential development.  Vertu Barnstaple on Howard Avenue has now closed The Vertu BMW dealership in Barnstaple has announced its permanent closure Customers were informed of the decision via an email from Anthony Masterson which confirmed that the branch would close for good on 28 March he stated: “To ensure we continue to provide you with the same first-class service we are transferring your details to your closest Vertu BMW dealership within our group “We will do all we can to make the transition as smooth as possible for you ensuring you receive the same level of exceptional customer service at Vertu BMW Exeter.” Vertu has been contacted for further comment Flourishing Barnstaple aims to revitalise the town through arts and culture It is funded through the Cultural Development Fund delivered by Arts Council England on behalf of the Department for Culture The Flourishing Barnstaple team is seeking accomplished public realm artists who are passionate about making public art that engages with local heritage and is valued by the community and its visitors.  The total budget for all the commissions is £200,000 This could involve a single large commission or several smaller ones and artists are asked to provide their ideas Lead Member for Economic Development and Regeneration for North Devon Council Councillor Malcolm Prowse says: "The Flourishing Barnstaple project celebrates Barnstaple's rich heritage and also offers a creative response to the evolving needs of our community By engaging with our history and modern identity the public art installation has the potential to become a valued landmark fostering pride among residents and offering a fresh cultural experience for visitors I look forward to seeing how local artists capture the spirit of Barnstaple and contribute to its ongoing revitalisation through arts and culture." The commissions will be awarded through a two-stage application process with up to 10 artists selected at the first stage to further develop their proposals. The expression of interest stage is intended to shortlist suitable artists who will then receive a payment of £500 to develop their ideas Flourishing Barnstaple welcome applications from artists at all stages of their careers Artworks should be designed to last in good condition for a minimum of 20 years A shortlist of locations and themes has been chosen for this commission Every shortlisted location may not necessarily result in a commissioned work Artists interested in submitting an expression of interest should contact Michelle Nicholson-Sanz to request the shortlisted locations and all other relevant documentation Expressions of interest can be submitted until 5pm on Monday 18 November 2024 The delivery and installation of artworks is expected to be completed by the end of January 2026 More details on this opportunity can be found on the Arts Council England website at www.artsjobs.org.uk/jobs/search/50199 Barnstaple Train Station - Credit: Submitted Barnstaple railway station is set to benefit from a series of environmental improvements following a successful funding bid by a local volunteer group The Friends of Barnstaple Railway Station (FOBRS) have secured support through Great Western Railway’s Customer and Community Improvement Fund (CCIF).  The enhancements will include interpretation boards celebrating the station's history and a specially designed bug house to support local biodiversity invites applications from community groups across the GWR network to help improve local railway environments FOBRS chair Tim Steer said he submitted the application on behalf of the committee earlier this year and described the news as “amazing” He said: “The FOBRS committee work with GWR and Network Rail at making sure that the volunteers are working safely The news of this funding means we can now improve aspects of the station environment We have now instructed potential teams to construct our designs that will be unveiled later this year “We are going to make sure the history of Barnstaple railway station is remembered as well as joining this year’s national celebrations of two hundred years of the railway network We hope to start more Community Rail Network projects to study the station history and how sustainable the railway is This funding from GWR can help make sure these community projects will happen.” GWR confirmed the success of the bid in an email to Mr Steer wrote: “Thank you for your bid to our Customer and Community Improvement Fund for your project ‘Joint railway Anniversary project’ “We were heavily oversubscribed again this year and sadly we will not be able to fund every application I am delighted to say that your project scored really highly “Congratulations on being one of our successful projects and we really look forward to working with you.” which celebrated its 170th anniversary last year with a ceremony and festival at Barnstaple’s historic Pannier Market has seen consistent passenger growth.  prompting renewed interest in railway investment across the region alongside Railfuture and the Tarka Rail Association an Initial Business Case to explore a possible extension of the Barnstaple to Exeter line through to Bideford The station has also earned national recognition for its upkeep with FOBRS volunteers securing top-level environmental awards for four consecutive years.  The group meets weekly and is currently encouraging new members to join and support their ongoing work The latest funding comes as GWR prepares to introduce class 175 trains on the Barnstaple to Exeter route to improve service standards Barnstaple councillor Syed Jusef speaking to the town’s street marshals in Butchers Row A Barnstaple councillor has praised the success of the town’s street marshal scheme as it enters its third year central ward councillor for both Barnstaple Town Council and North Devon Council has said both councils are committed to seeing the scheme continue after a significant reduction in anti-social behaviour The benefits of street marshals in Barnstaple also led to the initiative being rolled out in Ilfracombe too Cllr Jusef said: “The scheme has been a great success and helps people feel much safer when they come into the town centre recently told a North Devon Council (NDC) meeting that anti-social behaviour had gone down by a third since the marshals were introduced As well as providing reassurance to the community and dealing with early signs of ASB street marshals help police and the council with their daily duties enforce the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPOs) provide first aid and a link to council and police teams by using the town centre radio network Shopnet The service was originally provided in Barnstaple thanks to government Safer Streets programme North Devon Council stepped in to fund the service with further funding from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) and Barnstaple Town Council NDC committed to funding the service until the end of June 2024 and also earmarked £200,000 to ensure it would continue for another two years Cllr Jusef told the Gazette he regularly heard public feedback thanking the councils for the scheme and with people saying they hoped it would continue He added: “The marshals don’t just cover the High Street in Barnstaple plus the surrounding residential streets such as Barbican Road and Trinity Street “The marshals have recently been asked to focus also on the smaller side streets and lanes where rough sleepers or street drinkers often gather.” Expressions of interest are being invited by the Bridge Trust via North Devon Council's procurement portal for the refurbishment of the listed Bridge Chambers in Barnstaple in a partnership project that is a major part of the Flourishing Barnstaple programme The aim of the refurbishment is to create a performance space for cultural and arts events and add a terrace to the side of the building ultimately creating an accessible performing arts The works are part of a wider project funded by the Cultural Development Fund (CDF) to improve people’s access to arts support local economic growth through culture and safeguard vital local collections for future generations. In March 2023 the council secured a £3 million share of the national pot of £58.8 million for investment into two of Barnstaple's historic buildings to support a programme of training and activities that inspire culture and creativity.  Councillor Malcolm Prowse says: "Bridge Chambers is a hidden gem so we and The Bridge Trust are extremely excited to bring the building into community use through our refurbishment plans.  "Culture can bring enormous benefits and improvements to a place and the people who spend time in it This tender process brings us one step closer to transforming Bridge Chambers into a cultural space for residents of and visitors to Barnstaple Gemma Williams said: "This is a really exciting opportunity to contribute towards transforming Bridge Chambers into a cultural hub for Barnstaple and ensuring that the history of this beautiful building can be maintained for many years to come" Expressions of interest can be made on the council's procurement portal The Barnstaple Culture Strategy can be read on the council's website at northdevon.gov.uk/culture-strategy The Flourishing Barnstaple Cultural Development Investment Fund plans will be delivered in Barnstaple by March 2026 The Barnstaple Carnival Royalty Carriage is currently undergoing refurbishment in preparation for the 2025 parade The team behind Barnstaple Carnival is already preparing for the 2025 event aiming to deliver a spectacular return for the town’s traditional celebration the volunteers have launched a project to refurbish the Carnival Carriage the iconic float that carries the town’s Carnival Royalty at the head of the parade project manager of the Barnstaple Carnival explained: “Some much-needed 'TLC' is needed The vehicle is structurally sound but it’s the decorative element that has seen better days.” The revamped float is expected to be ready by summer 2025 in time for Barnstaple’s local carnival season.  Mr Behan added that this will give the 2024 Royalty a chance to “complete their ‘reign’ in style” before passing on the crowns to their 2025 successors Mr Behan acknowledged that unexpected costs have come with the restoration and although we were able to give to charities as a result of last year’s collections on the day this has been an expense we hadn’t foreseen We are hoping that the great people of Barnstaple may be able to help us out.” inviting donations from the community.  Mr Behan said: “We hope to make it good for years to come and have something that gives a good impression of the town when visiting other carnivals will be gratefully received and put to good use.” The GoFundMe page can be found at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-repair-the-royalty-carriage 16 APR 2025BookmarkBarnstaple was buzzing as North Devon SPRINGfest made a sunny debut on Sunday transforming the historic Pannier Market into a vibrant hub of flavours creativity and family-friendly entertainment Launched by North Devon Council and Barnstaple Pannier Market the new one-day festival marked a seasonal companion to the well-established North Devon FOODfest held each October The spring edition offered locals and visitors an uplifting day out during the Easter holidays market manager at Barnstaple Pannier Market said it was “an absolute pleasure and joy” to introduce the inaugural event “Our October Food Fest is already very well established and always has a brilliant turnout which shows that there is a need for events such as this,” Holly said “Most importantly it supports local traders and their produce as well as providing variety and entertainment for all ages within the community – and as we saw on Sunday Holly explained that the market team takes great pride in being able to bring fresh which she described as “a beautiful building and part of the heritage of Barnstaple” “We are excited to let it evolve and become an annual event alongside our autumn one,” she added The event was praised for its community spirit with a sunny day and lively atmosphere that added to the feel-good factor the sun was shining and people just seemed to be in really wonderful spirits,” Holly said She also expressed gratitude to everyone involved in bringing the event to life: “I can't thank everyone who got involved enough but I would like to say a massive thank you to the market staff who helped to make this incredible Holly reflected on the resilience of the town following recent challenges saying: “Town has had a tough few years for various reasons but events like this show how we are moving towards a brighter future and the market is looking forward to holding more and more events like this and offering more variety with the space” Ahead of the event, North Devon Council had encouraged the public to save the date and keep up to date by following the event on Facebook. Following the success of the first SPRINGfest, organisers are hopeful the festival will return next year, continuing to support local businesses and bring the community together. North Devon Pannier Market SPRINGfest, April 2025 CommentsNorth Devon Pannier Market SPRINGfest, April 2025 CommentsNorth Devon Pannier Market SPRINGfest The former North Devon Council seat of Ian Roome MP will be contested between five candidates on Thursday May 1 at the same time as the Devon County Council elections who had been leader of North Devon Council resigned from the seat last year after becoming an MP He had served as a Liberal Democrat district councillor since 2015 but said it would not be possible to be a councillor and an MP at the same time He is also not standing for his former Devon County Council seat Standing for the Barnstaple with Pilton seat on the district council are Loki Dawson for the Liberal Democrats Lisa Mackenzie for the Conservative Party and Howard Porter for the Green Party Polling stations for the local elections will be open from 7am to 10pm at communities across the region Voters are reminded to take an accepted form of photo ID with them when they go to vote unless they have already applied for and received a Voter Authority Certificate The full list of photo IDs that are accepted can be found at https://www.gov.uk/how-to-vote/photo-id-youll-need Fighting for a positive future at Barnstaple Town A new era looms at Barnstaple Town Football Club after supporters backed a GoFundMe campaign to raise £20,000 in acquiring the club from outgoing chairman Bill Wilson It has been a rollercoaster ride at Mill Road over recent seasons but Wilson has sadly been sidelined by ill health prompting the move from fellow shareholders and club fans to establish a cohesive succession plan has set up the appeal with an immediate aim to reach the £20k target with infrastructure improvements top of the wish list “Bill has been struggling with his health and we don’t envisage him being able to attend football in the future which has been part of the need for Barnstaple Town to think about future options,” said Screech “It is down to us at the club to figure out a potential succession plan and the remaining two shareholders are putting together a committee to take things on “We have set up a GoFundMe account to raise £20k and if we can reach this amount Bill has agreed to write off his previous loans to the club and hand over his shares.” Barum endured a rotten run of defeats in the New Year which threatened to derail their play-off ambitions but a solid victory over Saltash United was just what the team needed although Saturday’s 4-3 defeat Brislington was a frustrating outcome Barum remain fifth ahead of a crucial visit from fourth-placed Buckland this weekend the North Devon club still have a great chance of securing a play-off berth “The players have been impacted by the recent uncertainty and we have lost a couple of them but we have implemented an emergency reduction in wages to get through this period which the players have agreed,” added Screech the win over Saltash stabilised the ship and there is a path forward for the team on the pitch and that can only help results it has been very positive and people are keen to forge a new direction for the football club We have volunteers returning to the club and making their vital contributions to Barnstaple Town.” Short-term success on the pitch is always welcome for any football club but the new era at Mill Road will be focussing on improving the all-round match-day experience The first big step in that direction will be enhancements around the ground to re-establish Barnstaple Town as a quality venue at this level of the game size of fanbase and quality of players we have we all recognise that work needs to be done on improving the infrastructure at Mill Road,” said Screech “The previous focus has been on paying significant wages on players but we also need to ensure we have a quality ground for our level of football We are blessed with a fantastic location close to the centre of town and next door to the Rugby Club “There is a huge range of facilities in the Western League and perhaps one example for us to emulate is our next visitors Barnstaple Town is also capable of providing a superb facility for our amazing supporters “It is a difficult situation because we all want Bill to look after his health He has done positive things for Barnstaple Town but a combination of ill health and a need to change the future approach for the football club has prompted this new direction at Mill Road “It has been a difficult period for all of us but we now know there is an agreement in place once the £20k figure is reached and we can move on for the good of Barnstaple Town Football Club.” Pupils from High Bickington school perform at the big Proms Concert in the Queen’s Theatre Pupils from primary schools across North Devon showcased a variety of musical and performance skills with a packed Proms Concert at the Queen’s Theatre in Barnstaple The performers were from seven schools that are part of the TEAM Academy Trust and the event was designed to celebrate the wide range of talents fostered at each school The program featured not only singing and instrumental performances but also dynamic dancing and a deeply moving poetry recitation Above: Witheridge school pupils with a colourful showing during the concert The students taking part came from Beaford Community Primary School Witheridge Academy and Swimbridge Primary School Above: A solo by a pupil from High Bickington The show brought forth enthusiastic applause from a packed theatre and culminated in all seven schools and the audience joining together in a powerful rendition of Proms anthem Land of Hope and Glory said: “Congratulations to the children from all seven schools on their outstanding performances in the Proms concert “Their confidence and creativity were truly impressive It was wonderful to see such a diverse range of performances and the genuine support they showed for one another Above: Umberleigh school pupils performing added: “We are immensely proud of our students from across our schools “Their passion for music and the performing arts This concert was a testament to the power of arts education and the incredible talent within our trust.” TEAM Multi-Academy Trust would like to thank the Queen’s Theatre for its support in hosting the concert Above: Pupils from High Bickington school Estelle Liepa and Lottie Miles are excited to be opening their new Grit & Grace gym in Barnstaple A female weightlifting gold medallist and an experienced local CrossFit coach are all set to open their new gym in Barnstaple this Saturday Lottie Miles, the current British Master Weightlifting gold medallist and Estelle Liepa, a level 2 CrossFit coach have opened Grit & Grace Functional Fitness on Pottington Industrial Estate The grand opening day is on Saturday (April 26) at Unit 7 meet Estelle and Lottie and get a flavour for what Grit & Grace is all about Visitors can also take part in games and mini workouts Above: Estelle and Lottie fitting the main sign for their new Grit & Grace gym at Pottington in Barnstaple Lottie is a current gold medallist after winning the women's over-35s 81 kilo category at the British Masters Weightlifting Championships in February Speaking about the ethos behind the new gym she said: “Our functional approach means we have something for everyone “Strength training is our foundation so Grit & Grace is especially ideal for anyone who is looking to get stronger Above: New Barnstaple gym co-owner Lottie Miles took gold at the British Masters Championships in February 2025 Estelle added: “Women as well as men benefit from simply being stronger as it helps prevent bone weakening at peri-menopause and beyond it helps to fight muscle loss and improve overall physical and mental health.” In addition to the regular gym facilities and classes Grit & Grace is working with the Sport In Mind Charity by offering a free Men Only one hour session aimed at helping men’s mental health they will be offering Strength +45 classes aimed at helping prevent bone weakening at peri-menopause and beyond on Mondays To find out more, visit https://www.gritandgracefitness.co.uk  " + $(".testo_articolo").html().replace(//g, ' To continue reading this article, please subscribe and support local journalism! Subscribing will allow you access to all of our premium content and archived articles. To continue reading this article for FREE,please kindly register and/or log in. Registration is absolutely 100% FREE and will help us personalise your experience on our sites. You can also sign up to our carefully curated newsletter(s) to keep up to date with your latest local news! Torrington Mayfair brought plenty of splendid costumes – and sunshine – to the 2025 instalment of the traditional event. Credit: John Insull Members of the quilters group, From a Distance, with their handiwork. Picture: From a Distance The site for Landkey’s new Mazzard Hall, which has bene on the village wish list for more than two decades. Credit: NDC Young revellers and the iconic Ilfracombe May giants arrive at the seafront for Ilfracombe's Jack-in-the-Green 2025. Credit: Tim Lamerton Photography Symptoms can all affect our daily lives, but treatment is available! The rediscovered bell in ‘the cupula’ at Barnstaple Guildhall – thought to date from the early 18th century. Credit: BTC Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles. Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm. Next at Anchorwood Retail Park in Barnstaple Shoppers heading to Next in Barnstaple were met with an unexpected closure again today as the store posted a notice informing customers that it had been forced to close due to flooding explained that the shop would remain closed for the rest of the day due to internal repairs needed to fix damage to the ceiling caused by the flooding we are unable to give out parcels due to the ceiling damage being above our front door area,” the notice read The notice also read that the store hopes to reopen tomorrow (January 9).  with a spokesperson explaining that the store is currently unable to provide a timeline for reopening I cannot provide a timeline at this point," they said "What I can say is that we are working to get the store back open as soon as possible Flourishing Barnstaple is delighted to unveil its exciting line-up of festive entertainment designed to bring holiday cheer to the whole community From Tuesday 10 December to Saturday 21 December the Barnstaple Pannier Market will be brimming with Christmas spirit as a festive stage will be installed to host a variety of low-cost and free events for all ages.  This year’s celebrations feature a specially installed Christmas stage showcasing a dazzling array of entertainment Thanks to the ‘Festive for a Fiver’ initiative making it easier than ever for everyone to enjoy the festivities For free events, simply turn up – spaces are limited, so arrive early to secure your spot. For ‘Festive for a Fiver’ events, tickets are available at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/panniermarket or in person at the Pannier Market Office on Wednesdays and Fridays between 10am–12pm and 1pm–3pm.  The Pannier Market boasts a fabulous range of unique gifts with extended hours until 8pm on Thursdays for late-night shopping free parking after 4pm is available on Thursdays in Barnstaple Central Additional opening dates include Sunday 15 so you can grab those last-minute Christmas essentials.  Cultural Producer for Flourishing Barnstaple and busy time where it is really important to bring people together Barnstaple is full of lots of festive events and we hope we have created a programme that complements that and has something for everyone and is accessible to anybody who wants to take part We have a wide range of performances in the evenings and lots of free events during the day including carol singing so why not visit our marvellous traders and at the same time join in the festive fun?” This festive programme has been made possible through Flourishing Barnstaple a North Devon Council initiative supported by the Cultural Development Fund administered by Arts Council England.  For full details, visit Barnstaple.co.uk, pick up a copy of the Barnstaple Christmas Events Guide, or follow the Pannier Market Facebook page for updates ella.sampson@clearskypublishing.co.uk The Barnstaple Hotel has temporarily closed following significant storm damage caused by high winds “Due to unforeseen circumstances caused by the weather We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.” The hotel confirmed to the Gazette: "Unfortunately a large area of roof covering our accommodation building has been badly damaged by the extreme weather conditions which has caused us to close the hotel so we can ensure our guests and staff remain safe "We are in the process of informing anyone booked with us over the coming days and hope to be able to reopen at least to function & Christmas party bookings early next week described the moment the roof was torn off: "It was just after 11am when the roof blew off with a huge bang I couldn't believe what I was seeing when I looked through the window - solar panels insulation and a huge swathe of metal roof crashing down and blowing in the wind "Staff acted quickly and told all guests to gather in the bar "Those staying for more nights were found rooms in other hotels and everyone else was reassured and given tea and coffee while we were waiting for the wind to die down "There was a family with young children near the pool at time and they saw it blow off right near them but everyone was unharmed and the staff really did handle it very well in such a difficult situation." The incident occurred amid widespread disruption caused by Storm Darragh which has brought severe weather warnings to the region Flourishing Barnstaple has partnered with local venues and workshop providers to create a comprehensive guide to Christmas events happening across the town is a must-have for anyone looking to make the most of the holiday season in Barnstaple showcasing the vibrant and varied activities planned throughout the town From workshops and markets to performances and community gatherings The printed guide will be available from Tuesday 26 November at key locations across Barnstaple as well as other spots throughout the town copies will be distributed at Barnstaple’s Christmas Light Switch-On event on Thursday 28 November ensuring residents and visitors can easily access this resource said: "Christmas is a time of year that brings everyone together and through creation of this guide we have brought together information on many of the varied events which are taking place in Barnstaple this year We hope this is merely the first of many guides and that this will become an annual publication." This initiative has been made possible by Flourishing Barnstaple a North Devon Council project supported by the Cultural Development Fund and administered by Arts Council England Don’t miss the chance to pick up your copy of the festive guide and explore the magic of Barnstaple this Christmas Vertu has attributed the closure of its Barnstaple BMW showroom to rising costs and financial viability concerns the car dealership company said mounting financial pressures affecting the sector led to the decision A spokesperson for the business said: “We reviewed the financial viability of the BMW MINI operation in Barnstaple and due to the cost pressures that are evident and impacting the whole sector took the difficult to decision to close it We undertook a full consultation with colleagues and where possible have offered them positions across the wider Group Others have been supported to find new roles Customers will be welcomed at any of our dealerships in the area and have been kept fully informed.” The annual Barnstaple Residents Meeting will be held at the Guildhall on Wednesday Barnstaple’s Annual Residents Meeting hosted by the town council is taking place next Wednesday The meeting starts at 6pm and all are welcome to go along and hear about the council’s work over the past year learn about future plans and speak to their local councillors There will also be an opportunity for residents to ask questions raise issues and share views on matters that are important to them Councillor Janet Coates said: “We encourage residents to come along to this annual meeting to hear what the council have been working on as well as our future projects and priorities for the next year.” The meeting agenda will include a presentation of the council’s Annual Report plus an overview of key projects and initiatives delivered in the past year There will also be a look at upcoming plans and the council’s priorities for the town in the next 12 months Plus there will be presentation of grant awards to local organisations in recognition of their contributions to the community Staff and customers celebrate the reopening of the McDonald’s Whiddon Valley restaurant after its redesign and makeover The McDonald’s Whiddon Valley restaurant in Barnstaple has reopened after a huge overhaul which promises to deliver a better customer experience The ambitious McDonald’s ‘Convenience of the Future’ restaurant revamp programme will combine a new restaurant layout with the latest technology to create a more seamless and enjoyable experience for customers The fast food giant says this is to cater for consumers increasingly looking for greater speed efficiency and choice when ordering their food Improvements have been made for restaurant staff with a redesign of the crew room which will create a more relaxing and comfortable space for them to take a break who owns and operates 10 McDonald’s restaurants in Devon said: “I’m proud to reinvest in our Barnstaple restaurant “The renovation has made the dining area more contemporary and we now have separate facilities for our dine-in customers and our couriers leading to a better experience for everyone “It’s exciting to see the fresh new look and feel of our Barnstaple restaurant and I’m confident the changes will benefit both our customers and our staff.” While the traditional walk-in and drive through remain core to how customers order the redesign of the kitchen and dining areas as part of Convenience of the Future will better integrate digital sales channels the McDonald’s App and make better use of internal space With dedicated areas for the different ways to order along with the removal of the front counter the revamp will offer a more efficient way to order and will leave customers with more space to enjoy their meal The Barnstaple Hotel has provided an update on its reopening plans following extensive roof damage caused by Storm Darragh.  The hotel confirmed to the Gazette that a large area of the roof covering the accommodation building had been badly damaged by the extreme weather forcing the hotel to close temporarily to ensure the safety of guests and staff the hotel said: “Unfortunately a large area of roof covering our accommodation building has been badly damaged by the extreme weather conditions which has caused us to close the hotel so we can ensure our guests and staff remain safe.” teams have been working ‘tirelessly’ to ensure a partial reopening in time for the festive season and function rooms will reopen between 10am and 4pm and changing rooms will be available from 10am to 8pm the hotel aims to reopen its health club fully said: “We are still awaiting some updates before we know when we will be able to reopen our bedrooms but hope to be able to get them open quite soon The most important thing for us was to try and honour as many of the pre-existing festive bookings we had a number of which are annual events which we wouldn’t want to spoil so we’re very pleased that thanks to the hard work of our team and many local contractors we’re in a position to hopefully be able to reopen in some way from tomorrow The hotel assured guests that safety remains a top priority with teams closely monitoring each stage of the reopening process guests are encouraged to contact the hotel directly on 01271 376221 Barnstaple library © Copyright Neil Owen Aspiring writers in North Devon will have the chance to learn from award-nominated author Polly Ho-Yen as Barnstaple Library hosts a free Writing for Children workshop on Saturday The event comes after Barnstaple Library was selected through the All Stories national competition to host one of 16 fully funded workshops across the UK aimed at supporting writers from underrepresented backgrounds.  and the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society seeks to break down barriers and encourage new voices in children’s literature The workshop is open to anyone interested in writing for children It particularly welcomes participants from underrepresented backgrounds and those from working-class or socio-economically marginalised backgrounds Barnstaple Library will establish an ongoing writing group to support local writers A ‘writer resources’ pack with information on supportive organisations will also be made available to workshop attendees and visitors A spokesperson for the library team said: "This is an exciting opportunity for the community of Dover and Dover Library to be able to facilitate such a fantastic project The project will help those that are socio-economically marginalised to have a sense of belonging within the community and break down any barriers building community cohesion and positive wellbeing giving the confidence they may need to progress with their writing." the Bristol-based author behind Boy in the Tower and How I Saved the World in a Week.  Her debut novel was shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award and the Federation of Children's Book Groups Book Award and four of her novels have been nominated for the Carnegie Medal A former primary school teacher in South London Ho-Yen’s writing is deeply rooted in real-world settings often incorporating science fiction or fantastical elements that young readers can relate to.  She regularly runs writing workshops in schools across the UK sharing her expertise with aspiring authors The Writing for Children workshop at Barnstaple Library is free to attend bringing another series of live music events to venues across the town.  part of North Devon Council’s Flourishing Barnstaple programme aims to support local artists and independent venues Following the success of the inaugural series in October 2024 the event will once again showcase a variety of music styles with each night featuring a different artist at a different venue The schedule for the March series includes: in Barnstaple is funded by Arts Council England and aims to celebrate Barnstaple’s vibrant music scene while supporting grassroots artists and businesses For full event details, visit www.barnstaple.co.uk/whats-on Following yesterday’s (November 14) Gazette report on Homebase entering administration speculation is mounting over the future of the unit at Rose Lane The Gazette understands from a BBC report that Hilco had been looking to sell the struggling retailer but failed to secure an outright buyer owned by Plymouth billionaire Chris Dawson it is unclear whether Barnstaple’s Homebase is part of this acquisition The Range confirmed they would provide an update when more details about specific locations become available.  Group CEO Alex Simpkin stated: “We plan to retain the best of Homebase’s expertise and heritage while expanding product choices to include everything you’d expect from The Range.” a planning application from TJ Morris Limited proposes transforming the site into a Home Bargains store this would make it the retailer’s second store in Barnstaple North Devon Council has confirmed the application is still in its consultation period The plans involve reducing the building’s floorspace by a third to 3,731 square metres reconfiguring parking with the loss of 39 spaces and adding electric vehicle charging points The landscaping would include native plants to encourage biodiversity locals have been vocal about their hopes for the site.  One resident said: “Hope we get The Range instead.” A third shared: “We desperately need a RANGE down here.”  The sentiment was echoed by another who wrote: “Hope it is going to be The Range as we already have a Home Bargains.” It’s clear that many in North Devon would welcome The Range the future of Barnstaple’s Homebase remains uncertain with both The Range and Home Bargains possibilities keeping local residents and employees guessing placing approximately 2,000 jobs at risk nationwide had been seeking a buyer for the struggling chain but was unable to find an outright purchaser This acquisition is expected to secure around 1,600 jobs with CDS planning to rebrand these stores as The Range superstores in the coming months though it is currently unclear if the Barnstaple branch is included in this acquisition which confirmed they would provide an update once they have more information regarding the future of the Barnstaple store Group CEO Alex Simpkin commented: “We’ve stepped in following the sad demise of the much-loved Homebase brand which has had a long and previously successful history of helping UK households with their DIY projects and gardening needs He added that Homebase stores acquired by CDS will continue to operate under the Homebase name for the time being "These stores will include everything you’d expect from The Range combined with much broader choice across garden showroom and DIY categories – retaining the best of the Homebase expertise and heritage We plan to continue to invest in the Homebase brand CDS also expressed its commitment to supporting Homebase employees during this period noting: “We’re conscious there will be a number of other experienced team members who are facing uncertainty We’re committed to prioritising interviews for any vacant positions within our The Range and wilko brands across the country.” With plans to more than double its store estate over the next four to five years CDS aims to reach new customers and communities across the UK through the Homebase acquisition More than 200 new homes are to be built near Barnstaple North Devon Council has given developer Hallam Land permission for the development outside the usual boundary on 11 hectares of agricultural land north of Old Bideford Road Councillors had some concerns about the impact on infrastructure and doctors’ surgeries But the council’s planning committee approved the application this week after being told that the council doesn’t have enough sites for housing to meet the government’s housebuilding targets North Devon and Torridge must build 1,330 homes a year Planning officers said the site is a short distance from the development boundary The developers have also proposed work to improve connectivity with Roundswell Business Park and Roundswell Primary School and offered to put more than £1.5 million into community facilities The cash will also pay to reintroduce a half-hourly 19 bus service on Saturdays Bickington) said that the area is “at saturation point” for new housing without major infrastructure investment and our sewage system is elderly,” she said shared those concerns and said the council should "build communities he said the developers had offered traffic management improvements to slow down vehicles and make it easier for pedestrians and cyclists A site visit will take place to look at the location for a pedestrian crossing He said if the committee didn’t approve the application “The government has set these targets for homes there was little choice for the planning committee but to approve this application.” Fourteen people submitted comments opposing the plans bringing festive cheer to the local community with his much-loved sleigh tour.  The Barnstaple Round Table has announced that the Santa Sleigh will be making its return from Saturday spreading holiday joy across the town and raising funds for local charities said: “We are pleased to be back again this year with the Santa Sleigh as it brings so much joy to everyone across the area over the festive season This year we have refurbished Santa’s sleigh adding a few refinements and giving it a fresh coat of paint.” the Santa Sleigh raised over £13,000 for local charities and interest groups and the Round Table is hoping to surpass that amount this year with various routes across Barnstaple and the surrounding areas visit the Barnstaple Round Table Facebook page at facebook.com/barnstapleroundtable Rob Miles added: “It would be very difficult to put the Santa Sleigh on for so many nights without the help and support from charities and groups including Children’s Hospice South West I would also like to thank local businesses for their help and support including the team at Barnstaple Nissan for the loan of their vehicle for the whole of the sleigh season Taw Ford for sponsoring Santa’s Sleigh juice The Voice for promoting the Santa Sleigh on the radio across Barnstaple and North Devon Simon Randall and Bruce Isaac from the Storage Space for the storage of the Santa Sleigh all the bucket collectors and members of Barnstaple Round Table who venture out in all weather conditions through the sleigh season.” With less than two weeks until the first Santa Sleigh outing Barnstaple Round Table urges the community to come out and help raise even more funds than last year CGI of the car park (Image: North Devon Council) marking the completion of the first phase of its redevelopment The town-centre car park will initially reopen with a temporary surface due to recent heavy rainfall which has saturated the car park’s sub-base.  This temporary surface will allow the base to drain adequately ensuring it is stable enough for visitors to use while awaiting a final finish.  The permanent surface will be laid in February 2025 after work on the adjacent Bear Street car park is finished North Devon Council has announced that both Queen Street and Bear Street car parks will adopt the Barnstaple Central name starting Friday This renaming will consolidate the car parks under one RingGo location zone while the current codes for each individual car park will be deactivated Councillor Malcolm Prowse said: “It is great news that the Queen Street car park is able to reopen to our town centre visitors and we would like to thank everyone for their patience during this first phase of works.  “Unfortunately the challenging weather over the last month has saturated the sub-base of the car park and this needs time to drain before the final surface can be laid Rather than plane the surface off now and compromise the quality of the finish we have worked with our contractors to establish this temporary solution which means we can reopen the car park for the benefit of our local businesses and town centre visitors.” The renovations at Queen Street and Bear Street car parks are part of the larger Barnstaple Market Quarter project.  and upgraded pedestrian walkways to Boutport Street as well as new vehicle access from Alexandra Road For more information on the Market Quarter project, visit the North Devon Council website: https://www.northdevon.gov.uk/business/regenerating-north-devon/regeneration-in-barnstaple/market-quarter-project Harry was seen straight away at Specsavers A routine eye examination at Specsavers in Barnstaple on 10 February 2025 helped prevent further complications for Harry Bennett a condition characterised by an accumulation of excess fluid in the brain.  a procedure that involves implanting a thin tube into the brain to help drain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) into the bloodstream.  The shunt contains a valve that regulates the fluid’s flow Harry had been experiencing frequent headaches which worsened over time and caused significant fatigue.  his mother sought medical advice from their GP and booked him in for an eye test.  She explained: "I thought Harry may be struggling with headaches due to a change in his glasses prescription the optometrist immediately identified inflammation of the optic nerve and multiple haemorrhages.  she advised Harry to seek immediate medical attention at the local A&E department doctors discovered that the shunt in his neck had snapped.  He was urgently transported by ambulance to Bristol Hospital where emergency surgery took place within hours of his arrival Harry’s mother said: "The shunt in Harry’s neck had snapped Harry was back to his usual self with no complaints of pain or headaches." Harry returned to Specsavers on 26 February for a follow-up appointment where he was prescribed new glasses to improve his vision reflected on the experience: "After referring Harry to A&E and hearing about his journey Knowing I had acted in my patient’s best interest gave me immense satisfaction Harry’s case is one of many that highlight the importance of regular eye tests Optometrists are trained to be highly vigilant and professional and with advancing technology such as the OCT we can perform in-depth eye examinations to help detect and manage serious eye and health conditions." The Banbury’s department store in Barnstaple High Street pictured in 1950 Barnstaple’s iconic Banbury’s department store turns 100 this Friday and all are welcome to join the celebrations and enjoy two days of festivities promotions and a special centenary discount Harking back a 10 years to the day when the High Street store first opened its doors there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9.15am this Friday (March 21) with Lady Arran the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Devon and the Mayor of Barnstaple in attendance The first 100 customers through the door will receive a celebratory glass of Prosecco and a centenary cupcake before they explore the anniversary promotions on offer All staff will be decked out in period attire from 1925 The independent store is still owned by the Banbury family and is now run by a fourth generation of the family Banbury’s is offering a 20% off promotion throughout its two day birthday festivities It is also launching a centenary merchandise range after teaming up with local companies This includes an exclusive 100 year candle and soap from Clovelly soap and centenary fudge bag from Roly’s fudge A proportion of the sales will go to three local charities close to the Banbury’s family and staff - plus there is a charity raffle with 50 luxury prizes to be won where all proceeds go to the three charities The chosen charities are North Devon Hospice Devon Air Ambulance and Fern Centre cancer and wellbeing centre at North Devon District Hospital Managing Director Peter Banbury said: “We're thrilled to invite you to our Banbury’s 100th Birthday Big Weekend “Reaching this incredible milestone wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our devoted customers and we’re eager to share this moment with you all along with a variety of special centenary promotions and products we’re excited to celebrate a century of tradition Join us in making this weekend unforgettable and thank you again to all who have shopped with us—past Store mascot Banbury the Bear will be prowling in store and around the High Street across both days plus on the Saturday a horse and carriage photo booth from Higher Bidacott Farm will be set up at front of the store All loyalty card customers can enjoy free tea and coffee in the café plus special centenary dishes on the menu Plans have been submitted to join together two Catholic churches in Barnstaple improve accessibility and provide a kitchen and toilets Developer Scott and Company has applied to North Devon Council for planning permission to link the former St Mary’s Catholic Church at Higher Church Street which has been vacant for around 40 years with the modern church next door via a new building The Victorian church is in the process of being restored and part of the application is to carry out internal alterations for a kitchenette toilets and store cupboard discreetly beneath the gallery The link building will provide access to both churches and a lift into the former church for wheelchair users along with a sheltered area for pushchairs It is understood that there have been plans to demolish or adapt the old church for alternative purposes over the years but it has remained standing Bringing the former church back into use would benefit worshippers as well as the wider community by restoring one of the architectural landmarks of Barnstaple The link building will add 44 square metres to the footprint of the current buildings The modern church and adjoining presbytery are used daily and is the only Catholic church in the town The applicants say the lack of a parish hall limits the community social activities that can take place currently and linking the two buildings would bring greater communal value A new era supporting girls' rugby in North Devon Barnstaple RFC has unveiled the new girls’ changing facilities in a remarkable transformation of the historic cricket pavilion the answer was simple: transform it into state-of-the-art changing facilities to support the rapid growth of girls’ rugby in North Devon Thanks to generous grants from North Devon Council and the Keith Abraham Charitable Trust The newly renovated pavilion now provides bespoke changing rooms tailored to the needs of Barnstaple RFC’s burgeoning girls’ teams a crucial step in fostering inclusivity and development in women’s rugby Chair of Barnstaple RFC’s commercial committee and Jeremy Chugg Barnstaple RFC’s Director of Age Grade Rugby spearheaded the project from conception to completion ensuring the facility was delivered on time and to a high standard It was a collective effort that made it possible with huge efforts by the incredible Tuesday Volunteers to Head Groundsman Lee Beer so many people gave their time and expertise to bring this vision to life Including many local businesses who provided vital materials and support The new facility was officially opened by Barnstaple Mayor Councillor Janet Coates and the Mayor’s Consort The occasion celebrated not just the building itself guests were treated to an electrifying display by Barnstaple RFC’s U12 Girls team as it was their need for proper facilities that originally inspired the project The new pavilion marks a significant milestone for Barnstaple RFC which has seen increasing demand for girls’ and women’s rugby in recent years the club hopes to attract even more young players and continue its mission of making rugby accessible to all As the U12 girls dashed across the pitch in their first match using the new changing rooms the message was clear: Barnstaple RFC is investing in the next generation Students in Barnstaple were left inspired after a modern languages competition involving 60 students from across the region Pilton Community College hosted the Modern Foreign Languages Speaking Competition on Wednesday 60 students from 12 South West schools travelled to the college to take part in the competition Participants included both non-native and near-native speakers were apparently amazed at how competent all participants were who spoke in Mandarin in the Key Stage 4 non-native category and was a runner-up Pilton Community College’s Head of Languages said: “It is an inspirational day where future linguists grow in confidence as well as being a real opportunity to celebrate a range of languages and cultures Well done to everyone involved in the day.” Participants as well as spectators had the opportunity to meet others with similar interests The competition left those involved feeling inspired and motivated