Zhara Simpson

A 44-year-old man from Truro arrested in connection with the unexplained death of a 40-year-old man at Moorfield Car Park in Truro was released without charge and is no longer linked to the investigation. Devon and Cornwall Police continue reviewing CCTV and investigating the circumstances of the death, while the car park has reopened after forensic work. Detective Inspector Jon Bray appealed for witnesses who saw anything suspicious in the area before the death.

Hot, dry weather following a wet spring has left cider apple crops across South West England smaller and unusually light. Sampford Courtenay Cider expects to produce only about 10% of last year’s volume, while Cuckoo Valley Cider anticipates a harvest of 10 to 12 tonnes and less cider in the following year. Early leaf yellowing and fruit drop have affected farms, although recent rain has improved conditions and large stocks from last year should prevent an immediate shortage. Producers also note that older apple trees are relatively resilient to drought.

Hot, dry weather following a wet spring has caused cider apple crops across South West England to become smaller and lighter, with some apples dropping early and leaves turning yellow. Sampford Courtenay Cider expects to produce only about 10% of last year's volume, while Cuckoo Valley Cider anticipates harvesting 10 to 12 tonnes. Producers say substantial stocks from last year's bumper crop should prevent an immediate shortage, although cider volumes may be lower the following year. Older apple trees have proved more resilient because of their deeper roots, while drought has been declared across more than half of England and the summer is forecast to rank among the UK's hottest on record.

The National Childbirth Trust has criticized the temporary suspension of birthing services at Barnstaple hospital, warning that longer journeys to Exeter will create practical, emotional and financial difficulties and reduce women’s choice over where to give birth. The Royal Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust says the suspension was necessary because it could not guarantee safe consultant and registrar cover after exhausting options such as locum recruitment and mutual aid. Community midwifery, scans, birth planning and antenatal outpatient services remain available, while the trust works on recruitment and workforce planning to reopen births in north Devon.

Dozens of firefighters tackled a significant grassland fire at Mincinglake Valley Park in Exeter, Devon, which affected about 50 acres and briefly led some residents to leave their homes. The blaze was declared a major incident at its peak but was later contained, allowing residents to return while crews remained to dampen down hotspots. Authorities urged the public to avoid the affected area, keep windows and doors closed, and remain vigilant as wildfire risk remained extremely high. Devon Wildlife Trust said it was too early to assess the fire’s impact. A separate, smaller fire damaged a line of conifer trees and nearby grass in Cranbrook.

Standard birthing services at North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple have been temporarily suspended because the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust says staffing levels cannot meet clinical safety requirements. More than 300 pregnant women have been contacted, while births, inductions and caesarean sections are being redirected mainly to Exeter, creating serious concerns about travel times in rural North Devon. Affected women describe anxiety over altered birth plans, particularly for high-risk pregnancies. Devon County Council and ambulance workers’ union Unison have criticised the decision. The trust says scans and antenatal clinics will remain in Barnstaple and that recruitment, retention and workforce planning work is under way to reopen the maternity unit safely as soon as possible.

Jersey’s average property price rose 5% year on year to £626,000 in the second quarter of 2026, while 282 properties were sold, up 24% from the same quarter in 2025. Housing Minister Malcom Ferey said the figures indicated returning confidence but warned that affordability remained difficult, especially for first-time buyers. Prices remain 10% below their 2022 peak, first-time purchases fell to about 40, and non-primary-residence purchases increased. The Council of Ministers is exploring measures to support home ownership and improve housing mobility.

Birthing services at North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple will be temporarily suspended from 11 August because staffing levels cannot safely support them. The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said it had exhausted options including locum recruitment and mutual aid, and plans to reopen the service as soon as possible. More than 300 pregnant women have been contacted about care arrangements, travel and transport support. Planned inductions and caesarean sections will end on Friday, and the hospital will stop accepting people in spontaneous labour on Sunday, while community midwifery, scans, antenatal clinics and other services remain available locally. A recovery programme is focused on recruitment, workforce planning, staff retention and service resilience.

La Mare Vineyards in Jersey plans to harvest its grapes in August, earlier than ever, after nearly two and a half months without meaningful rain. The unusually hot, dry conditions have also stressed trees, browned football pitches and prompted Jersey Water to prepare a backup desalination plant. While dry weather can benefit grape production and make an earlier harvest safer, local environmental and sports representatives warn that prolonged drought is affecting the island’s trees, cooling capacity and sporting facilities.

Businesses in Falmouth are calling for urgent action as commercial waste bins increasingly line and dominate town-centre streets, creating visual and accessibility problems. Falmouth Business Improvement District has proposed screened storage areas, shared facilities and using unused parts of council-owned car parks, but says Cornwall Council rejected its initial suggestions. The council says it recognizes the concerns and will work with businesses, waste contractors and the town council. A survey has been launched to establish how businesses currently manage waste, while SUEZ is involved in discussions about improving collection and storage.

Cornish newcomers Bernadette and Peter Benney have been shortlisted for the New Entrant to Agriculture award after establishing Willbern Farm near Camborne in 2025 with more than 1,000 ducks. Their business, Cornish Cracking Eggs, has already won several awards despite financial pressures and the challenges of farming without prior experience. Other South West finalists include Cole Farming for sustainable farming, St. Ewe Free Range Eggs and Rebecca Tonks for workplace and agricultural leadership, and Daw Refrigeration for agricultural supply. The British Farming Awards ceremony will take place in Birmingham on 15 October.

Researcher Alan Puttock of the University of Exeter says beaver dams and ponds are creating complex wetlands that retain water, slow river flows and provide refuge for wildlife during dry weather. Beaver wetlands can reduce peak flows, improve resilience to both drought and flooding, and potentially act as firebreaks against wildfires. Beavers were reintroduced to Devon’s River Otter in 2015 and to rivers in Cornwall this year, although Puttock stresses that they are only one part of a broader set of nature-based solutions.

Gritters have spread more than 200 tonnes of tar and stone chippings across Cornwall to protect road surfaces affected by unusually high temperatures. Cornwall Council’s highways contractor Cormac has responded to up to four melting-road incidents and is proactively treating vulnerable sections with bitumen, chippings and crushed stone. The work is carried out during warm periods and followed by repeated sweeping once the material has set.

Researcher Alan Puttock of the University of Exeter says beavers are creating wetlands that store water, slow river flows and provide refuges for wildlife during drought. Since their reintroduction to Devon’s River Otter in 2015, and more recent releases in Cornwall, beavers have built dams and ponds that can hold substantial volumes of water and reduce peak flows. Although individual wetlands cannot solve drought, expanding beaver populations alongside other nature-based solutions could improve resilience to both flooding and dry periods, while wetland areas may also act as firebreaks during wildfires.

A PFAS advisory panel recommended Jersey adopt stricter drinking‑water limits, warning levels above four nanograms per litre require immediate action. The report said current UK-based guidance used locally is impractical and called for a Jersey-specific standard. Jersey Water maintained that supplies remain safe and supported evidence-based regulation, noting ongoing monitoring and treatment trials. Government officials said the findings will inform a detailed policy response.

Warm, dry spring weather has positioned the UK for a potentially strong summer for butterflies, according to Butterfly Conservation’s Richard Fox. He encourages public participation in the Big Butterfly Count to track numbers, noting that several species such as the Holly Blue and Red Admiral have had a successful spring. Despite positive conditions for egg-laying, he warns that drought-stressed vegetation could limit food for caterpillars, making public monitoring efforts especially important.

South Hams District Council is seeking feedback from Ivybridge families to shape improvements to the Blackthorn Drive play area, aiming to create a safer and more modern space. Councillor Victor Abbot encouraged participation in the consultation, which remains open until 25 July, emphasizing the value of children’s input in designing engaging outdoor facilities.

A 60ft motor cruiser caught fire off the Isles of Scilly, prompting St Mary’s RNLI lifeboat to respond following a distress call from HM Coastguard. Four people aboard were found uninjured and taken to St Mary’s harbour for care by local friends.

A children’s memorial garden at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth suffered extensive vandalism, with plaques, sentimental items and a long‑standing statue destroyed and items stolen from a shed. Caretaker Jade Hoskin said families were devastated, though police inquiries continue. Community members have since offered widespread support, replacing many items and assisting with repairs, while the garden’s volunteers remain determined to restore the space and preserve it as a place of reflection.

Police in South West England urge fans to plan safe travel for England’s 1am World Cup match against Mexico, warning against drinking and driving and highlighting risks from impaired reaction times. Authorities stress that only time eliminates alcohol from the body and advise vigilance both after the match and the following day. A policing operation is in place to support licensed venues and manage heightened emotions around the event.

An 11‑year‑old girl named Evie‑Mae, who previously underwent multiple brain surgeries, fulfilled her dream of meeting Lewis Capaldi after the singer invited her on stage during his Exeter concert. Her mother said the experience, given as a Christmas gift, was especially meaningful as Evie‑Mae connects deeply with artists open about mental health. Capaldi’s gesture and the emotional impact of the encounter made the moment difficult for the family to surpass.

An 11-year-old girl named Evie-Mae, who previously underwent multiple brain surgeries, was invited onstage by Lewis Capaldi during his Exeter concert after he noticed her sign referencing his songs and her medical journey. The moment fulfilled her dream of meeting her idol, with her mother highlighting how artists like Capaldi and Alex Warren serve as meaningful role models because of their openness about mental health. Evie-Mae, whose prior condition of hydrocephalus has since resolved, described the encounter as unforgettable and especially connects with Capaldi’s song “Survive” due to her past experiences.

A long-running Blue Light Day event in Wadebridge brought together emergency services and local organisations to help people with learning disabilities feel safer and more confident engaging with support providers. Organisers noted major growth since its beginnings and emphasised the need for ongoing efforts as community needs evolve. Attendees, including police and RNLI representatives, highlighted the opportunity to build trust, improve communication and support individuals who may be vulnerable to hate-related crime, while offering a space for social connection and celebrating abilities.

An inquest found that Destiny Harrison and her five-year-old daughter Linnea died from injuries sustained when they were struck by a car while using a pedestrian crossing in Plymouth. Evidence presented by collision investigators indicated no faults with the vehicle and no proof that the driver, Brenda Marriott, fell below the expected driving standard, leading to no further police action. Witness accounts and CCTV confirmed the pair were walking hand in hand before the collision. The coroner concluded the deaths were the result of a road traffic collision, while the family expressed grief and concerns about the handling of the investigation.