Cameron Weldon

Simon Francis, a 44-year-old man from Modbury in Devon, has assembled a collection of 84 Mitre footballs, displaying 79 of them in his home. Inspired by Soccer AM and childhood memories of football, he has spent about £50 per ball through auctions, charity shops and collectors’ fairs. His favourites include the Mitre Pro-Max, used in the inaugural Premier League season, and a signed Mitre Elite received as a Norwich mascot. Although he was offered £12,000 for the collection, Francis plans to continue expanding it.

Firefighters extinguished a large wildfire at the former Fontaine Vinery horticultural site in St Sampson, Guernsey, after receiving multiple reports. Three fire appliances attended, while crews remained to dampen down the area because wind conditions could cause the blaze to reignite. The fire affected a significant area, an investigation into its cause was launched, and residents were advised to close windows and doors because of smoke. Vale Road was closed during the emergency response.

An inquest heard that 66-year-old John Collins entered the sea at Fistral Beach in Newquay to try to rescue his 32-year-old daughter, Samantha, after she was dragged into the water while they were fishing on rocks. Both, from Doncaster, were pronounced dead at the scene on 26 July 2026. The inquest was adjourned until 19 July 2027. Police are seeking Samantha’s orange or peach-coloured shoulder bag, which may contain belongings of sentimental value to the family.

Filming has begun in Jersey for the six-part third series of the reimagined Bergerac, starring Damien Molony as Jim Bergerac and scheduled to air in 2027. The new storyline follows Bergerac investigating a suspicious death linked by DNA to Jersey's unsolved Devil's Hole murder and uncovering an alleged satanic cabal. UKTV says the second series averaged 1.3 million viewers and was the second-highest-rated series on U&DRAMA and across its network in 2026. Visit Jersey says the programme has also boosted interest in visiting the island, with viewers reportedly three times more likely to consider a future trip.

Air quality tests found no evidence of airborne asbestos at Mount Batten beach in Plymouth after the beach was closed on 10 July when high levels of asbestos fibres were found in the sand. Preliminary sampling detected fibres in all but one tested area of the closed beach, and fibres were also found on sandy foreshore areas exposed at low tide, prompting further access restrictions. Plymouth City Council is awaiting a full survey to assess contamination levels and potential risks, while saying nearby concrete slipways, a landing stage and the water sports centre are not believed to pose a risk.

Paignton railway station partially reopened on 28 July, one week after a fire caused significant damage to the station building and surrounding infrastructure. Great Western Railway services resumed between Paignton and Newton Abbot, but the damaged platform cannot yet accommodate nine-carriage trains serving London Paddington, so long-distance services will continue to start or end at Exeter St Davids or Newton Abbot. Temporary entrances, ticketing facilities, fire-safety measures and accessibility arrangements are in place, while the car park remains closed. Four boys aged 13 to 16 were arrested on suspicion of arson and released on conditional bail. Repairs and rebuilding work are expected to continue for some time.

A father in his 60s and his daughter in her 30s, both from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, died after getting into difficulty in the sea off Fistral Beach in Newquay, Cornwall. Emergency services, including the RNLI and coastguard, attended the scene on Sunday evening, and both were pronounced dead there. Police are seeking a handbag believed to belong to the woman and are preparing a file for HM Coroner. Newquay’s mayor expressed the community’s shock, while the RNLI highlighted the dangers of open water and urged people to use lifeguarded beaches and swim between the flags.

A five-year-old endangered red panda named Esha has arrived at Jersey Zoo from Peak Wildlife Park, with staff reporting she is adapting well to her new enclosure and keepers. Conservation groups estimate fewer than 10,000 red pandas remain in the wild, with threats including habitat loss, human activity and poaching. Jersey Zoo highlighted the species’ natural behaviors and habitat as part of its conservation messaging.

ShelterBox is relocating its headquarters from Falcon House in central Truro to Osprey House later in July as part of an operational shift aimed at improving efficiency. Chief executive Sanj Srikanthan said the new facility supports evolving work practices, including increased remote work and a focus on pre-positioning aid globally rather than packing supplies in Cornwall. The organisation, which has supported more than three million people since 2000, is currently assisting communities affected by disasters and conflicts in regions such as Venezuela, the Philippines, Lebanon, Syria, and Sudan.

Plymouth City Council reversed plans to introduce parking charges at the Jennycliff and Mount Batten coastal car parks after public and stakeholder backlash, including a petition. Proposed charges for Strand Street will be reconsidered as part of a wider parking review. The council will continue with plans to consult on introducing fees for Blue Badge parking on Plymouth Hoe.

A large fire destroyed an old cookery school building at the closed Occombe Farm attraction near Paignton. Fire crews from Torquay, Paignton and Newton Abbot contained the blaze and prevented it from spreading to surrounding grassland. The site has been shut since its operating charity went into liquidation, and Torbay Council has announced plans to sell it to developer Greendale.

Donkeys at The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth are being dressed in donated trousers, leggings and pyjama bottoms to protect them from insect bites during summer. About 40 animals now wear customised loose‑fitting garments after previous attempts using socks were unsuccessful. Staff say the clothing offers longer‑lasting protection than sprays and helps repel flies, while also promoting reuse of items that charity shops cannot sell. The sanctuary is appealing for further donations, recently receiving a large batch from the University of St Andrews.

Lloyds Banking Group plans to reinstate cheque deposit services at Post Offices after public pressure, particularly from rural communities affected by the withdrawal earlier in the year. Campaigner Annabel Yates and local postmistress Joanna Bickersteth welcomed the reversal, citing challenges faced by residents and businesses. Over 120 MPs urged the bank to reconsider its decision, which had made Lloyds the only major UK bank to end Post Office cheque deposits. Lloyds stated that while most customers now use digital or branch services, it recognises the need for choice and aims to offer Post Office and Banking Hub deposit options until 2030.

South Western Ambulance Service urges people to check on elderly relatives and neighbours during an extended heatwave after handling record call volumes during June’s high temperatures. Officials warn that older adults are especially vulnerable due to reduced awareness of body temperature, dehydration risk and use of heating or warm clothing despite the heat. The UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber heat health alert for the South West, and the service outlines measures to manage increased demand while advising the public to stay hydrated, avoid peak heat and keep homes cool.

A UK MP has urged Fifa to delay England defender Jarrell Quansah’s World Cup suspension, arguing it should align with the decision to lift US striker Folarin Balogun’s ban following intervention from the US president. The request highlights concerns about equal application of rules and echoes criticism from UEFA and the Belgian FA, which condemned Fifa’s earlier ruling as unprecedented and unjustifiable.

A UK MP has asked FIFA to delay Jarell Quansah’s World Cup suspension, arguing for equal application of tournament rules following the organisation’s controversial decision to lift Folarin Balogun’s ban after intervention from Donald Trump. The request comes amid strong criticism from UEFA and the Royal Belgian Football Association over FIFA’s earlier move, with the MP stressing that consistent enforcement is crucial to the integrity of the competition.

Additional safety measures are being installed at Victoria Marine Lake in St Helier after a child was swept through a seawall opening and out to sea, sustaining minor injuries. The Government of Jersey is adding concrete blocks, ropes and marker floats, updating warning signs and advising the public to avoid the closed 128‑year‑old pool. The upgrades form part of a wider risk‑mitigation programme as engineers continue assessing long‑term structural options.

A Devon customer reported rust appearing on an Ikea stainless steel sink less than a year after installation and said she was told to keep it dry to prevent further damage. After initially declining action, Ikea reviewed the case and replaced the sink as a goodwill gesture, stating no wider product issue was found. The customer questioned the advice and noted that another Ikea sink used more frequently had not rusted.

A Caribbean flamingo chick hatched at Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary in Hayle, marking only the third successful flamingo hatching at the site. Staff described the event as welcome news and highlighted the chick’s healthy early development. The bird is being parent‑reared, and keepers plan adjustments to avoid a repeat of a previous sibling’s escape to France. The park noted that flamingos form strong pair bonds, share parental duties and are vulnerable to habitat loss, though conservation work has supported population recovery.

New UK Health Security Agency data shows the South West has the highest childhood vaccination coverage in England, including strong uptake of the new MMRV vaccine. Health officials credit NHS teams for sustaining improvements during changes to the immunisation schedule but warn that coverage still falls short of levels needed to prevent outbreaks, especially as measles cases rise nationally. Parents are urged to ensure children are fully vaccinated to protect against serious diseases.

A conservation initiative led by Jersey’s Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust released 15 endangered pygmy hogs into Assam’s Manas National Park, continuing a programme that has bred and released 194 hogs to rebuild a wild population once thought extinct. The Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme is restoring grasslands and aims to release about 80 more hogs over five years with a target population of 300 by 2040. Conservation leaders highlighted ongoing monitoring strategies and described the reintroduction as a significant achievement for ecosystem restoration.

Fifteen endangered pygmy hogs were released into the Kuribeel grasslands of Manas National Park in Assam as part of a long‑running conservation effort led by the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. The Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme, which began with a small captive group in 1996, has bred and released 194 hogs while restoring grassland habitats where the species had vanished. Conservation leaders described the latest release, which includes radio‑tracking and post‑release monitoring, as a significant step toward rebuilding a wild population of 300 by 2040.

A painting long displayed at St Teresa’s Care Home in Marazion was identified as a work by Cornish artist Stanhope Alexander Forbes and valued at several thousand pounds after staff brought it to the BBC Antiques Roadshow. The piece, originally purchased from David Messum Fine Arts and gifted to a former treasurer more than 50 years ago, had been moved to the attic during refurbishment before its significance was recognized. Experts are now investigating its history, while the charity Leonard Cheshire highlights residents’ longstanding familiarity with the artwork.

Fire crews contained a large hedge fire in St Sampson after it spread to a barn, burning trees, hedges, undergrowth and straw bales. Residents were advised to stay indoors as smoke drifted west, and nearby roads were closed by police. No people or animals were harmed. The cause remains unknown and is under investigation, with firefighters staying on-site for damping down.

Six Olympic‑style swift boats have arrived in Guernsey for a month‑long visit, giving local rowers and students the chance to try equipment that will feature in the 2028 Olympics. The Guernsey Rowing Club plans training sessions and a school challenge, with club leaders highlighting the boats as the standard for offshore competitions and a strong investment for the future. The boats are visiting between the Welsh and British Championships as coastal rowing prepares for its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028.

Guernsey Police reported successful progress on an initiative to reduce anti-social behaviour, working with the Youth Commission and Guernsey Sports Commission to provide activities for young people. Officers increased their presence at known hotspots including Beau Sejour, Admiral Park and the Town Bus Terminus, and attended local events such as the Havelet Regatta and Balcony Gig. The force emphasised the impact of anti-social behaviour on the community and encouraged the public to report incidents.