Archie Farmer

Six donkeys rescued from severely flooded conditions in Somerset after Storm Chandra have made significant progress at The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth, Devon. After arriving thin, distressed and with limited access to shelter, they were given a carefully controlled diet and patient handling to rebuild their health and confidence. Staff now describe Mimi, Martha, Mabel, Aida, Pippin and Lily-Mae as happy, settled and transformed after six months of care.

Devon cyclist Will Tidball won gold for Team England in the 4,000m pursuit at the Commonwealth Games on 30 July 2026. During a later race at Glasgow’s Sir Christopher Hoy Velodrome, he crashed and sustained a three-inch splinter in his backside, requiring surgery and stitches. Tidball plans to return to Exmouth for a public cycling event intended to encourage local people to get on their bikes.

The British Firework Championships return to Plymouth for two nights, with six pyrotechnic companies competing in three displays each evening at 21:30, 21:50 and 22:10 BST. More than 35,000 people are expected each day, with viewing available from Plymouth Hoe, boats and other points around Plymouth Sound. The guide outlines public transport options, extra GWR train services, coach connections, Park and Ride facilities, sustainable travel options and extensive road closures. Electrify Pyrotechnics, Smart Pyrotechnics and G2 Fireworks compete on Wednesday, while Nemisis Pyrotechnics, AJ Pyrotechnics and The Fireworkers compete on Thursday; the winner will be announced after the final displays.

Five new licences have been granted to Jersey fishermen to catch and kill bluefin tuna as part of UK commercial and scientific trials. The trials will use 26 tonnes of the UK's 2026 quota across Wales, Jersey and Scotland, aiming to improve understanding of bluefin tuna behaviour, ecology and distribution. Jersey's environment minister Mary Le Hegarat welcomed the licences, while the government said the trials are separate from existing UK commercial and English recreational fisheries and will not affect current allocations.

Guernsey’s Health and Social Care service is seeking two volunteers to join its Organ Donation Committee, which promotes organ donation and supports best practice across healthcare services. Applicants do not need a clinical background but should be strategic, effective communicators and collaborative workers. John Eaton, a committee member and lead nurse, encouraged people with fresh perspectives, professional expertise and an interest in healthcare to apply.

Guernsey's Committee for Economic Development has announced eight priorities to strengthen the island's economy, including improving air and sea connectivity, expanding tourism, deepening trade links with France and Commonwealth markets, supporting financial-sector growth, accelerating digital adoption and innovation, ensuring proportionate regulation, and creating a long-term economic strategy for the Bailiwick. President Sasha Kazantseva-Miller said coordinated action by government, industry and the community would be essential, with progress to be reported through annual work-plan updates and statements to the States.

A 10–12-foot dark grey shark was reportedly spotted about 40 metres from the shore at St Ouen’s Bay, Jersey. Lifeguards raised a red flag, cleared surfers, swimmers and families from the water, and kept the bay closed for an hour while the RNLI inspected it. The beach reopened after no further concerns were found.

Jersey firefighters and their children plan to climb Ben Nevis on 14 August as part of the “Dads, Lads and Lasses Scottish Adventure.” The fundraiser will support The Lowe's Legacy Fund, established in memory of Dean and Charlie Lowe after their deaths in a 2023 Jersey hit-and-run crash, as well as The Firefighters' Charity. Firefighter Richard said his sons Charlie and Archie, who attended school with Charlie Lowe, wanted to honor his memory while completing a Duke of Edinburgh challenge.

Tamar Crossings has launched a free digital and audio guide covering the Tamar Bridge, Royal Albert Bridge and their learning centre. The guide explains the crossings’ history, engineering, construction and maintenance, and includes perspectives from the people who care for them. It is intended to increase public engagement with the bridges’ heritage and is available through a free app.

Economic development committees from Guernsey and Alderney are strengthening cooperation on connectivity, digital development and tourism. Guernsey deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller and Alderney committee chair Stuart Clark said reliable and affordable transport links are essential for residents, businesses and growth. Alderney hopes closer cooperation will help attract businesses and residents, diversify its economy and eventually restore its position as a net fiscal contributor to the Bailiwick.

Jet2 has added summer routes linking Jersey with Bournemouth and London Stansted, bringing its total number of UK-to-Jersey routes to eight. Chief executive Steve Heapy said the expansion was driven by strong demand and represented increased investment, while Visit Jersey chief executive Tricia Warwick welcomed the added connectivity and its potential to attract new visitors to the island.

Jet2 has added summer routes linking Jersey with Bournemouth and London Stansted, bringing its total number of UK–Jersey routes to eight. The airline says the expansion reflects strong customer demand and will significantly increase capacity next summer. Visit Jersey welcomed the routes as a way to improve access to the island and attract new visitors.

North Devon Hospice is inviting people to remember loved ones through its annual Floating Bye event at Instow beach. Participants write messages, attach them to flowers and place them on a raft that is towed out to sea at sunset. The event is open to anyone who has experienced a loss, with attendees describing it as a meaningful way to preserve memories and find solidarity in grief.

The Guernsey Blind Association and Guide Dogs UK are launching early‑years play sessions designed for visually impaired children, aiming to address a gap in support for ages zero to five. The sessions will use sensory play, music and movement to help children build confidence while providing parents with practical techniques and a chance to connect with others in similar situations. Organisers emphasize personalised activities and broader community support for families with sight impairments.

A major incident was declared on Little Sark after a large cliff‑side fire burned for more than four hours, prompting support from Guernsey fire and ambulance crews. Sark’s fire chief Kevin Adams described it as the largest fire he had seen on the island and noted that difficult terrain and limited water access complicated efforts. Crews protected nearby houses while the fire moved down the cliffs toward the sea, with about 30 to 35 local residents assisting. Dampening efforts were expected to continue for days across an area of roughly 4,000 square metres.

Aurigny plans to replace scheduled winter flights from Guernsey to Grenoble with a new charter arrangement that may include limited flight‑only options. The airline said the model would support winter holiday packages and highlighted its broader winter schedule, including routes to Paris, the Midlands, Edinburgh and Dublin. Leadership emphasized maintaining strong year‑round connectivity for the Channel Islands.

Aurigny plans to replace its scheduled winter flights to Grenoble with a new charter agreement that may include limited flight-only options set by the charter provider. The airline said the move would support a wider range of ski season packages. Aurigny also released its winter flight schedule, highlighting continued connections from the Bailiwick to destinations including Paris, the Midlands, Edinburgh and Dublin. Chief commercial officer Philip Saunders said the schedule underscored the airline’s commitment to stable year‑round connectivity.

Students from several Guernsey schools presented proposals to improve active travel, highlighting safety concerns and inadequate bike storage. Deputy Lindsay De Sausmerez said relevant committees would review the recommendations and stressed the need for tailored solutions for each school. Students emphasised the importance of car‑free, safe travel routes for all children.

Officials in Guernsey urged residents to take precautions to prevent wildfires during the summer, warning that even small sparks can quickly ignite damaging blazes, especially along cliffs and coastal areas. Representatives from ACLMS highlighted the long-term harm wildfires cause to habitats and landscapes, while the fire service stressed that many incidents are preventable and asked islanders to consider how their actions could affect the countryside during dry weather.

Authorities in Guernsey urged residents to take precautionary steps to prevent wildfires during the summer, warning that small sparks or discarded items could quickly escalate into damaging fires, especially on cliffs and coastal areas. Officials highlighted the long-term harm such fires can cause to habitats and landscapes and emphasized that many incidents are preventable through cautious behavior during dry weather.

A Scottish charity, Homeless Network Scotland, returned to Guernsey to support the development of the island’s Homelessness Delivery and Implementation Plan. At Home in Guernsey highlighted the value of the organisation’s insight as it leads engagement sessions with partner agencies across sectors. Charity leaders expressed optimism about progress made and the collaborative efforts aimed at preventing and responding to homelessness across the island.

A Caribbean flamingo chick hatched at Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary in Hayle, marking only the third successful hatching at the site. Staff expressed excitement as the chick is being raised by its parents in the flamingo lagoon. The chick’s siblings include one hand‑reared bird from 2019 and another that escaped to France in 2025. Park staff described the chick’s early development, feeding process, and the species’ wider conservation pressures, noting that Caribbean flamingos face habitat loss but retain a broad native range across the Americas.

Hundreds gathered at Gyllyngvase beach as Ruth Hitchcock completed her 1,000th consecutive daily swim, raising over £65,000 to support research and awareness for neuroendocrine cancer, which her husband Dave has been battling since 2009. Ruth described the challenge’s difficulties, especially in winter, but said it was worthwhile to promote early diagnosis. Dave emphasized the need for greater medical awareness of the cancer, which is often diagnosed late. Neuroendocrine Cancer UK praised Ruth’s long-term fundraising efforts and the public support they have inspired.

The Battle of Flowers parade will return to its original route on Victoria Avenue in St Helier in August, with free daytime and nighttime events supported by public donations. Organisers expect the two-hour floats procession to draw early-arriving spectators and credit community, volunteers, and sponsors for sustaining the festival. The association’s chairperson emphasises the event’s cultural significance and the need for continued public support.

Guernsey’s Trading Standards Service warned parents to buy Squishy Dumplings toys only from trusted retailers after UK regulators found counterfeit versions containing unsafe levels of benzene. The Office for Product Safety and Standards recently recalled the fake toys. While no unsafe versions have been found in the Bailiwick, officers advised increased caution, especially when buying via online marketplaces or social media, and urged consumers to report unsafe products to traders and authorities.

Guernsey’s Development and Planning Authority has launched a project to proactively review about 170 residential buildings for potential protection based on historical and architectural significance. The initiative aims to replace the current reactive process tied to planning applications or property sales, providing greater clarity for owners, buyers and developers. Surveys will be conducted in phases over three years, with officials emphasising improved transparency and safeguarding of the island’s historic environment.

A newly refurbished play area in St Aubin, Jersey, was officially reopened following improvement works completed for the holiday season. Infrastructure minister Jonathan Renouf cut the ribbon, emphasising the project as part of broader efforts to enhance the public realm. Designer Emily Jennings highlighted the tailored features supporting children’s development, including sensory elements and equipment accessible across age groups.