Caroline Robinson

Planning permission has been approved to convert Plymouth’s empty Grade II-listed Civic Centre into 144 flats and a new City College Plymouth campus with a careers hub, restaurant and wellness spa. The scheme will restore key original features, add modern infrastructure and create a bridge link to the Council House. It is backed by £47.5m in public funding, while Capital&Centric will fund the residential fit-out and the college will finance its campus.

Jersey Bailiff Robert MacRae has praised the island’s more than 20 competitors at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, saying their performances made Jersey proud. The team returned with two medals, including Filip Nowacki’s gold in the 200m breaststroke and silver in the 100m event, alongside numerous personal bests and unexpected finals appearances. MacRae said the narrow margins in elite sport made success difficult to predict and confirmed that discussions would be held with the government about marking the team’s achievements.

LibertyBus's 2026 Social Impact Report finds that Jersey's bus services help reduce isolation and exclusion among people with disabilities, while improving access to activities, employment and independent living. More than 200,000 journeys were made through the free Avanchi access scheme, and respondents reported greater confidence, mobility and affordability. The report also found social and independence benefits for young people and reduced loneliness among older users. LibertyBus highlighted partnerships with local charities and said its newer Euro 6 buses support cleaner, more sustainable transport.

Volunteers at the Royal Cornwall Hospital’s Headland cancer unit are preparing to pack their 2,000th care box for chemotherapy patients. Since December 2023, around 120 personalised boxes have been distributed each month, containing items such as thermometers, socks, mints, skin products, tea, pill boxes and puzzle books. Volunteer Kelly Hallett, who previously underwent treatment for breast cancer, said the boxes offer practical help and emotional support to patients during a demanding treatment process.

Brigadier Alfred Snow, the British officer who commanded Force 135 during the 1945 liberation of Jersey, Guernsey and Sark from German occupation, is set to receive formal remembrance in the Channel Islands. The Bailiffs of Jersey and Guernsey have agreed that Snow deserves appropriate recognition, and Guernsey’s Bailiff has suggested him for the island’s Blue Plaque Scheme. The remembrance campaign, which recently confirmed that Snow died in 1983 and that his ashes were scattered in Somerset, welcomed the agreement as a historic development honoring Snow and the personnel who helped restore freedom to approximately 69,000 Channel Islanders.

Brigadier Alfred Snow, the senior British officer who led Force 135 in liberating Jersey, Guernsey and Sark from nearly five years of Nazi occupation in 1945, is set to receive formal recognition. The Bailiffs of Jersey and Guernsey have agreed that he deserves appropriate remembrance, while Guernsey’s Bailiff has suggested him for the island’s Blue Plaque Scheme. Campaigners recently established that Snow died in 1983 and say the recognition honors both him and the military personnel who restored freedom to approximately 69,000 Channel Islanders.

Six Torbay Council officers have received Community Safety Accreditation Scheme powers from Devon and Cornwall Police, allowing them to issue fines for certain offences and request people's names and addresses. Three additional officers are undergoing vetting. The accredited officers, including town-centre staff and employees of council-owned SWISCo, must be uniformed, display the CSAS logo and carry identification. Police and council representatives say the expanded enforcement presence should help reduce low-level crime and improve safety in Torbay's town centres.

A Guernsey sports officer urges the public, especially young people, to assess risks before entering the water as summer holidays begin. Emphasizing awareness of tides, wind conditions and personal ability, he advises simple safety checks and the ‘phone, float, throw’ method in emergencies to prevent casualties and support safer water use across the community.

Survey data shows the South West of England has the lowest access to NHS dental services, with Devon and Cornwall recording significantly lower appointment success rates than the national average. Local residents report long waits, limited availability and a shift toward private care due to insufficient NHS provision. The British Dental Association attributes the decline to national policy decisions, while the Department of Health highlights recent reforms, increased treatment numbers and investment aimed at improving access. Local health authorities have introduced measures such as emergency appointments, stabilisation treatments and mobile dental services to address urgent needs.

Police in Guernsey encourage parents to speak openly with their children about online safety as new data highlights rising concerns over harmful sexual content and exploitation. Digital safety officer Laura Simpson says improved understanding of harmful material and better reporting services, including those at Willow House, are helping safeguard the community. Parents are urged to model healthy technology habits, maintain open communication, and recognize that both young people and older adults can be vulnerable to misinformation and harmful online content.

Royal Assent has been granted for Jersey’s assisted dying law, enabling the government to bring the legislation into force once registered by the Royal Court. The law allows terminally ill adults meeting residency and medical criteria to choose an assisted death, making Jersey the first part of the British Isles to legalise the practice. Officials report ongoing work to establish the service, including recruitment. Supporters, including campaigners and Humanists UK, welcomed the move as expanding end‑of‑life choice. The article also contrasts progress with the Isle of Man, where similar legislation has been delayed due to concerns about safeguards.

Rising sea temperatures around Jersey are raising concerns among marine conservation experts who warn that prolonged heat could trigger mass die‑offs of seagrasses, shellfish and other species while encouraging warm‑water species such as octopus to expand into local waters. Kevin McIlwee of Jersey Marine Conservation reports temperature increases of one to two degrees, noting rapid changes driven by human impacts that challenge local plants and animals. Shallow waters around Jersey intensify sunlight exposure, accelerating both photosynthesis and warming. Researchers are monitoring seagrass health, and long‑term declines in species unable to adapt quickly are considered likely.

Rising sea temperatures around Jersey are prompting concerns from conservation experts who warn that even small increases can disrupt marine ecosystems, harming seagrasses, shellfish and other species while aiding the spread of warm-water creatures such as octopus. Shallow local waters, which allow more sunlight penetration, accelerate both plant growth and temperature rise, creating conflicting pressures on marine life. Research highlights shifting vegetation, changing species presence and threats to native wildlife as warming trends and temperature spikes intensify due to human-driven climate change.

Forestry England is seeking public input on plans for Fishleigh Wood, a 334‑acre woodland near Hatherleigh intended to expand habitats and improve wildlife connectivity. A consultation runs until 2 August, with a drop‑in session scheduled for 21 July. The project is part of a broader effort to increase woodland in Devon and will feature diverse tree and shrub species to support local wildlife, guided by surveys and climate science.

Lifeboat crews rescued four people from a 60-foot motor cruiser that later became fully engulfed in flames off the Isles of Scilly. The chief fire officer commended the team for exercising caution after signs of a hidden fire risk were identified despite an initial assessment suggesting the blaze was out. The decision not to tow the vessel and to order its abandonment when conditions worsened was highlighted as crucial to ensuring safety. Authorities warned boat owners about the rapid escalation of onboard fires and advised regular maintenance, proper safety equipment, and preparedness for emergencies.

An amber heat health alert has been issued for South West England from Wednesday to Sunday due to rising temperatures following June’s record heat. The UK Health Security Agency warns of increased health risks for older people and those with medical conditions and anticipates greater pressure on health and social care services, along with heightened risks of water-related incidents. Forecasts indicate the heatwave will be less severe than late June’s record 37.7C conditions.

An amber heat health alert has been issued for the South West from Wednesday to Sunday as temperatures are expected to rise again. The UK Health Security Agency warns of increased health risks, particularly for older people and those with existing conditions, and anticipates greater pressure on health and social care services along with heightened risks of water‑related incidents. The upcoming heatwave is not expected to reach the record temperatures seen in late June.