South West Update

11/07/2025

CATTLEBREEDERS' NATIONAL SHOW TO BE STAGED IN DEVON - Devon County Show is to host the Devon Cattle Breeders Society’s National Show in 2026.

The National Show—traditionally held at venues across the country and most recently staged at the Royal Cornwall Show—will return to its home turf at Devon’s largest and most well-attended agricultural event in May next year.

The Devon Cattle Breeders Society, custodians of the iconic Devon Red Ruby breed, are thrilled to see the show return to its namesake county. Known for their striking red-brown coats, Devon Red Rubies are celebrated for their calm temperament, ease of calving, and outstanding beef quality—traits that have earned them growing national acclaim.

Andy Lane, President of the Devon Cattle Breeders Society, said:
“The Devon County Show feels very much like our natural home, and we are delighted to be returning in 2026. The National Show typically attracts up to 50 exhibits, offering a diverse showcase of this magnificent breed and supporting our mission to ensure its continued success in Devon and across the UK.”

Entries for the 2026 National Show will open in February.

Devon County Show 2026 will take place over three days from 21-23 May.

04/07/2025

Two Plymouth schools have been recognised nationally for their efforts to create a culture of welcome and belonging for children from families seeking asylum and refuge in the city.

Mount Street Primary and Millbay Academy are the first schools in the Plymouth to gain the national School of Sanctuary accreditation.

In each school pupils, parents, staff and governors have worked together, supported by the Plymouth Ethnic Minority Achievement (EMA) Team at the council to create caring communities in which children learn positive messages about equality and diversity.

This week, at the EMA Team Hub, hosted by Plymouth Teacher and Schools Alliance, Councillor Sally Cresswell, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships, presented certificates to the two successful schools, and other schools keen to gain this award, joined the celebration.

She said: “We are working hard to make Plymouth a welcoming city, and it is great to see how our schools are going even further by achieving this excellent recognition of Schools of Sanctuary.

“We are really keen to encourage more of our schools to get involved. This acknowledgement and presentation will hopefully create even more interest and awareness. We know our schools do so much in this area, and this is the opportunity to celebrate that work. Mount Street Primary and Millbay Academy are true pioneers.

“It is important that schools provide the very best learning opportunities for the children while they settle in – this is why the council are working with the Schools of Sanctuary to guide schools through the whole process towards accreditation.

“I would like to say a huge congratulations to the schools for achieving this award, and for all their hard work.”

Matthew Bisco, Senior Deputy Head at Millbay Academy, said: “Millbay Academy are incredibly proud to be recognised for our continuous work in this area.

“The School of Sanctuary values are those we live and breathe. I hope that this accreditation gives further confidence to our city's refugee, asylum seeker and migrant families, demonstrating our commitment to them, and recognising the gift of having such a rich and diverse set of lived experiences within our community.

“Congratulations and full gratitude to all the staff, students and parents who are so committed and learn so much from this work together."

The Headteacher from Mount Street Primary added: “We are delighted to be re-accredited as a School of Sanctuary. This recognition reflects the values we live by every day of inclusion, compassion and community. It’s a journey we began years ago and one we are committed to continuing.”

It is hoped that many more schools will engage with this project. You can learn more about the School of Sanctuary awards at: https://schools.cityofsanctuary.org/

03/07/2025

Elizabeth Xi Bauer is delighted to announce Home with a Man, a duo exhibition bringing together artists Alexandre da Cunha and Brian Griffiths. This will take place at Exmouth Market from 15th August to 28th September 2025.

Since first exhibiting together in São Paulo in 2002, the pair have reconnected at key points in their careers—across continents, exhibitions, and academic contexts. This exhibition marks a significant chapter in their conversation—a moment of convergence that casts new light on their distinct yet subtly interconnected sculptural practices.

Through shared themes of material transformation, narrative tension, and the reordering of the everyday, Home with a Man invites viewers into a layered dialogue between the two artists. Together, they explore domesticity and scripted roles through sculpture, installation, and painting.

The exhibition title, borrowed from da Cunha’s Exile series (2022–2025), could be read like a line from a diary or a cheap romance novel, direct yet ambiguous and emotionally charged. Home with a Man builds through staged gestures and altered objects - where the domestic life operates as both routine and fantasy, and the ordinary slips into something less certain.

Alexandre da Cunha reconfigures the everyday with poetic vision and sculptural precision. He describes his practice as one of pointing rather than making—a gesture of recognition and reframing. In his hands, ordinary materials are not just elevated but recontextualised: stripped from their usual roles and given new, often unexpected meanings. Mop heads become tapestries, concrete reveals a fragile delicacy, and deck chairs morph into visual puzzles—each transformation a subversion.

Grounded in materiality and driven by concept, da Cunha’s work brings together found objects—often sourced from domestic, industrial, or leisure settings—to create tensions and conversations that speak both to his native Brazil’s improvisational vernacular and to the tropes of international modernism.

In Home with a Man, da Cunha presents works crafted from materials that frequently appear in his practice—scrap metal, mop heads, coconut tree branches, and discarded functional objects. These materials are not disguised; their original purposes remain visible, yet they are transformed and reimagined as artworks, artefacts, or subtle provocations.

Alongside his better-known sculptural pieces, the exhibition features a selection of intimate gouache on paper works from his Exile series (2022–2025). Created between London and São Paulo during a period of personal transition, these small, portable pieces act as diaristic fragments—visual letters painted in pigment that map the emotional and spatial experience of moving between places.

Brian Griffiths is a sculptor who transforms everyday materials and outdated objects into fictional, often absurd worlds. He uses dumb objects as a way to imaginatively travel: “I make art to pretend to be other, in hope to be elsewhere.” This is an approach to making as a means of escape - one that embraces pretence, disguises, players, genres, and artifice.

As much an exhibition-maker as a sculptor, Griffiths seeks to gather and connect things - setting up fictional cues for associative thinking and the messiness of feeling. His work favours awkwardness over elegance, and sincerity over perfection. It offers an alternative to monumentality - one based not on permanence or authority, but on the honesty and peculiarity of human experience.

In Home with a Man, Griffiths continues his No No to Knock-Knocks series (2018–), which centres on a puppet-like wooden figure all weathered, exposed, and seemingly not quite fit for purpose. Part tragic hero, part broken toy, the little man clunks his way through seemingly purposeless tasks.

Here, he repeatedly appears, posing in leatherette portable landscapes of executive briefcases. Griffiths also presents new sculptures that dress the exhibition as a staged and provisional event. Nesting suitcases unfold to reveal a sequence of scaled dramas; and hammers hang out not only as elegant forms but as pragmatic weights and loaded metaphors.

This exhibition is curated by Maria do Carmo M. P. de Pontes.

01/07/2025

INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED INTO DAMAGE TO HISTORIC SHIPWRECK - Devon & Cornwall Police are investigating reports of fishing equipment being illegally placed on the protected wreck of HMS Coronation which appears to have caused damage to the site.

The HMS Coronation was a 90 gun Second Rate Ship of the Line that sank off Penlee in Cornwall in 1691 during a gale. It is protected under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973, prohibiting any activity in and around the area that could cause damage, obscure or interfere with the site.

The recent investigation found fishing pots placed across the wreck site and the nearby underwater diving trail.

Rural Affairs police officers are working alongside Historic England’s Maritime archaeologists and heritage crime specialists to continue to investigate the reports.

Work is also taking place across fishing communities in Cornwall and the wider area of Devon to educate and prevent further incidents.

PS Julian Fry from the Rural Affairs team and national lead for Operation Birdie said: “The south west is home to 21 of the UK’s 57 protected wrecks. It’s so important for us, and those out on sea, to play our part in keeping these historic sites safe from any damage.

“We’re urging the fishing community to avoid placing any fishing equipment near the HMS Coronation, and indeed any other protected wreck sites around the UK.

“Whilst we fully support the local fishing industry, preservation of these nationally important heritage sites is essential.”

“We thank the fishing industry in advance for their cooperation.”

Rural Affairs police officers are dedicated to addressing crime faced by rural communities. They work to prevent and respond to issues such as livestock theft, poaching, agricultural machinery theft, and heritage crime, as well as tackling antisocial behaviour in rural areas.

This proactive activity is being carried out as part of Operation Birdie, a national initiative tackling illegal interference of historic wreck sites. It forms part of a broader approach to address different forms of heritage and cultural property crime across communities.

It’s estimated that around 600 sailors lost their lives when the HMS Coronation foundered. It lies in two parts, one inshore and one offshore.

Access to the HMS Coronation is through a licence scheme administered by Historic England on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

13/06/2025

CITY COLLEGE PLYMOUTH HONOURS STUDENTS - City College Plymouth honoured its exceptional students at the annual Student Awards last night (Thursday 12 June).

The awards ceremony is the College’s largest celebration of the successes students have achieved over the past academic year and recognised the outstanding talent and hard work of students across all curriculum areas, with awards reflecting not only academic excellence, but also character, determination and community spirit.

Award winners, their families, College staff and employer guests enjoyed an address by guest speaker, Melissa Johns. Actor and disability advocate, Melissa is known for her roles in Adolescence, Coronation Street and BBC’s Life. She captivated the audience with her story of resilience, inclusion and breaking barriers in the creative industries.

Students from across the region and beyond were recognised for their contributions and achievements, spanning the College’s 36 curriculum areas. From Barbering Student of the Year, Rocco Whitehouse, who took initiative from day one by offering free haircuts to the homeless, to Construction Trades Student of the Year, painting and decorating champion Abigail Durrell, whose success at SkillBuild has landed her a spot on the international stage as part of the WorldSkills training programme.

Among the many inspiring stories, one standout was that of Fahima Shirzad, named English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Student of the Year. Fahima came to the UK from Kabul, Afghanistan, facing not only the upheaval of relocation but also the emotional and cultural challenges that came from fleeing a troubled homeland. Her lecturers describe her as ‘quietly brilliant’, with a kind, humble nature. Beyond her academic performance, Fahima acted as a bridge between staff and students, interpreting and translating, and showing incredible empathy for others navigating similar challenges to herself.

Her story shows how education can be a force for both personal growth and community support. Embodying the spirit of the Student Awards, Fahima’s story is a reminder that true excellence comes from the courage and kindness that defines a person’s journey.

Eight of the curriculum award winners were also specially selected to receive additional merits by the College’s employer partners. These employers work closely with the College to create real-life learning experiences, develop training and curriculum programmes, and contribute to the College’s state-of-the-art facilities.

This year’s recipients of the employer sponsored awards were: Freddie Rhodes, Inspiration Award sponsored by Kier Construction; Abigail Durrell, Employability Award sponsored by China Fleet Country Club; Gracie Chamberlain, Endeavour Award sponsored by BIT Group; Levi Libbey, Leadership Award sponsored by Argyle Community Trust; Angel Lewis, Peer Support Award sponsored by University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust; Adam Astle, Perseverance Award sponsored by Princess Yachts; Izzy Snape, Student Voice Award sponsored by Babcock International Group; Rowena Murphy, Volunteering Award sponsored by Ta**us Events.

Awards were also presented to Rowena Murphy by the Students’ Union for her positive influence on her peers and dedication to College and community life and Harry Waterfield received the Governors’ Award in recognition of his commitment to his course, often taking the initiative to go above and beyond, fuelled by a genuine passion for making a difference.

The final award of the evening went to Carmen Archer who received the Chief Executive’s Award. Carmen was recognised for their natural leadership and optimism, mentoring younger students, creating opportunities and breaking down barriers, always striving to make sure everyone feels seen, supported and empowered to succeed.

City College’s Chief Executive Jackie Grubb said, “These students are all shining examples of hard work, resilience and kindness towards others. It’s not just their qualifications that make them remarkable, but the way they’ve shown compassion, supported their peers and overcome real challenges. They all represent the very best of City College Plymouth.”

09/06/2025

SOMERSET NOVELIST TO ATTEND AUTHOR EVENT IN PLYMOUTH - Central Library will be welcoming Somerset novelist Justin Newland on Tuesday 10 June, from 2pm to 3.30pm to deliver an illustrated talk entitled The Limits of the Empire.

Justin explores England’s coming of age during the Elizabethan era. Through the endeavours of men like John Dee and Francis Drake, Justin talks about how the nation shed its image as a small, misty isle on the edge of continental Europe to become the hub of a new world of trade & communication.

Tickets for this free 90 minute event can be booked at

Join us for an author event with Westcountry writer, Justin Newland

02/06/2025

NEW COMMUNITY GARDEN OPENS - A new Community Garden has opened at St Budeaux Library in Plymouth. This flourishing green space invites library customers, organisations and local residents to put down roots and relax, whether they're seasoned gardeners or complete novices.

The garden offers a cornucopia of edible delights including carrots, beetroot, broccoli, onions, peppers, leeks, lettuce, potatoes, rhubarb, strawberries, and blueberries, proving that knowledge isn't the only thing cultivated at the library…

Visitors will spot a remarkable historical feature: cast aluminium 'St Budeaux Library' lettering that once adorned the original library building has been lovingly restored and replanted as a centrepiece. These letters, now branching into their seventh decade at over 62 years old, stand as a testament to the library's deep-rooted presence in the community.

The garden's appeal extends beyond plants, with multiple seating areas, table tennis facilities and ample opportunities to soak up some vitamin D.

Fancy a bit of light-hearted competition? Challenge a friend to giant Connect Four, lose yourself in a good book under the sunshine or simply unwind among the bloomin' lovely flowers and plants. Enhancing the library's visibility, a vibrant new window wrap has been installed, drawing the eye and showcasing the community garden in all its glory.

"It has been such a privilege to be part of this project and a joy to see the local community engaging with this beautiful and multipurpose green space. A space for activities and events, tending and harvesting fruit and vegetables, relaxing in our reading arbour with a good book and so much more." -said Jen, the project's Development Officer.

"I am delighted that we've been able to create such an amazing space for our staff, customers and community. My hope is that the garden proves beneficial for the community within St Budeaux, and even if it inspires one family to grow their own fruit/vegetables at home... then I'd know the mission was successful." - added Alex, who is the Development Manager.

This budding project was made possible through successful funding from the North Yard Community Trust, supplemented by community use funding from local ward councillors. As part of the initiative, the St Budeaux and Barne Barton Wellbeing Hub "Men's Great Escape" group lent their green fingers to the gardening and planting efforts, truly making this a community endeavour. We offer a big thank you to all those involved.

02/06/2025

EXPERTS TO BE ON HAND TO DISCUSS RIVER TONE BATHING WATER QUALITY - Fancied swimming in the River Tone but unsure about the water quality? Ask your questions and share your concerns with the team of people that want to improve Taunton’s ‘official’ bathing water.

Experts from the Environment Agency, Wessex Water, Somerset Wildlife Trust and Friends of French Weir Park will be ready to answer questions about the River Tone bathing water at the COACH Community Hub in French Weir Park on Saturday 21 June from 10am to 1pm.

These are just a few representatives of the steering group formed to improve bathing water quality at this site, which was officially designated in 2024.

Being designated means regular and consistent water samples are taken for analysis at set times of the year to check the levels of bacteria like E. Coli and intestinal enterococci. However, being ‘designated’ doesn’t automatically mean water meets public hygiene standards for activities like swimming – a problem the new group is tackling.

Jim Flory of the Environment Agency said: “There are strict standards on what goes into rivers to protect wildlife and the natural ecology of our rivers. But the standards to protect human health are higher.

“A lot of investigation will be needed to uncover what sources of pollution feed into the River Tone. The public can help speed that up by eliminating the most obvious sources like picking up dog poo or looking after their septic tanks. This will free up people to focus on more serious issues.”

Results of all samples taken during the current round of monitoring will be available online at Swimfo to help inform public choice before taking a dip, Environment Agency officers will patrol the surrounding area, looking for obvious sources of pollution entering the watercourse as well as inspecting water company pipes and other types of equipment that discharges water into the river.

01/06/2025

NIGHT BUSES TO BE RETAINED AND EXTENDED - Night buses will continue to be available in North Devon and Torquay, plus on new routes in Plymouth and Exeter on Saturday nights until the end of the year.

Following the success in the summer and Christmas of 2024, Devon & Cornwall Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office are working with partners to continue running night buses across the two counties, providing seven new routes in addition to the four existing routes from last year.

Night bus services, provided by Stagecoach in Devon and First Bus in Newquay, will operate on Saturday evenings from now and throughout 2025 in a bid to reduce drink and drug-related incidents. The buses will also be available in Devon on Friday, December 19, and New Year’s Eve.

The North Devon, Torquay, Plymouth and Exeter buses will run between May 31 and New Year’s Eve 2025, and a longer Newquay service until September 6.

The services have been set up by Devon & Cornwall Police and funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) with support from Devon County Council, North Devon Council, Torridge District Council, Ilfracombe Town Council, Torbay Council, Cornwall Council, Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, Cornwall Air Ambulance and Newquay BID.

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: “I am delighted that my office will once again fund this fantastic service and help even more people get home safely after a night out. I need people to use these services to show it is commercially viable to ensure it becomes a mainstay of having a night out.

“The extension of the night bus service to include seven new routes will be a fantastic boost to our evening and night time economy, encouraging residents and visitors alike to relax and enjoy socialising in Exeter, Plymouth, Newquay, Torbay and North Devon without worrying about the expense of a taxi, or having a designated driver.

“Night buses in Devon and Cornwall have been proven to be a great success, reducing crime and antisocial behaviour and making people feel safer – with the added benefit of allowing them to get home for less than the cost of a pint or a glass of wine.”

Assistant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew said: “With partnership funding and support we have managed to re-launch a tested and successful initiative. The provision of improved night-time transport will ensure people, and particularly women and girls, arrive home safely having enjoyed their evening out with friends.

“We have seen that this also reduces antisocial behaviour and has a positive impact across our communities. I am pleased to see so many dedicated routes with such a wide reach into our communities”.

Peter Knight, Managing Director of Stagecoach South West said: “We are proud to be part of an initiative that provides a safe and affordable evening travel option for customers. It is a great example of our ongoing commitment to serving the needs of residents and where required working with partners to achieve that goal. We hope to see a similar positive impact for the community that has been seen in Torquay and North Devon previously.”

Simon Goff, Managing Director at First Bus South said: "We're proud to be working alongside Devon & Cornwall Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner to deliver night bus services in Newquay again this year. Last year’s service was incredibly well received, and we're excited to see it return and expand. Providing safe, affordable and reliable transport late at night helps keep communities safe and supports the local night time economy.”

Inspector Nathan Johnson, from the Exeter Neighbourhood Team, Devon & Cornwall Police added: “Exeter is a safe city, although like other towns and cities, it has its challenges. By acknowledging these issues and working in partnership, we can identify the best solutions for our community.

“One such partnership is the introduction of the night bus routes, which will run on Saturday nights from Exeter to Dawlish, Exmouth, Cullompton and Crediton providing safe journeys home for those enjoying a night out in the city.

“This has been made possible with a partnership between Devon & Cornwall Police, Stagecoach, Devon County Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office.

“The research from previous night bus schemes in other areas of Devon and Cornwall suggests that we will see a drop in drink driving and antisocial behaviour. I welcome the introduction of the scheme into Exeter.”

Newquay Sector Inspector Steve Johnson, said: “The night bus was a service provided for the summer of 2024 by the Alcohol Licensing team in conjunction with Cornwall Council and the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner to provide a late night bus service for the night-time economy in Newquay.

“This allowed people from the locality the opportunity to visit the town and enjoy a night out safe in the knowledge they could get home safe without the need to drive. This was very well received by both the public and the licensees within the town where over 650 people used the service and we saw a drop in crime and ASB as a result.

“I really welcome the return of the Night Bus for 2025 and am delighted that we are continuing to work with our partners as well as Newquay BID and Cornwall Air Ambulance for this year.

“Any initiative such as this is welcomed as a service to the public that helps us provide a safe environment for the night time economy in Newquay.”

Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust’s Jon Michael, Head of Marketing and Communications, said: “We are delighted to get behind the night bus scheme in partnership with Devon & Cornwall Police and other key partners who are supporting the scheme. Getting people home safely at night is so important and we were delighted to have an opportunity to promote the work of Cornwall Air Ambulance on the night buses and to partner in this fantastic scheme.”

Jon Walton, CEO of Plymouth Waterfront Partnership said: “We are delighted to be able to support this initiative that provides a safe, reliable and sustainable way of visiting Britain's Ocean City and we have a huge range of accredited venues to provide the perfect night out!”

Mark Warren, Newquay BID Manager said: “Newquay BID are really pleased to be involved in supporting the night bus scheme this year. The night bus is another addition to keeping customers and businesses safe alongside CCTV, additional policing, Newquay Rangers and Pubwatch, and this will enhance the enjoyment and safety of our night time economy.”

Tickets for the services cost a maximum of £3 for a single journey, and full timetables are available on the provider websites:

Stagecoach, covering Devon – Niterider | Stagecoach

First Bus, covering Newquay – Timetable N1

The new routes are:

Torquay:

22 – St Marychurch to South Devon College

12 – Brixham to Torquay

Plymouth:

1 – Plymouth to Tavistock

2 – Plymouth to Saltash

North Devon:

21 – Barnstaple to Bideford

21B – Barnstaple to Ilfracombe

Newquay:

N1 Newquay clockwise

N1A Newquay anticlockwise

Exeter:

1A – Exeter to Cullompton

5 – Exeter to Crediton

57 – Exeter to Exmouth

2 – Exeter to Dawlish

23/05/2025

MUSSELS DECLINE CAUSES ISSUES MONITORING WATER QUALITY.

Mussels are one of nature’s yardsticks for coastal water quality, and they even help filter it. But with mussel numbers declining from Western Europe to the Arctic due to climate change, Environment Agency scientists are exploring new ways to sample water.

Each spring, Environment Agency officers collect samples of Atlantic Blue Mussels (Mytilus edulis) from the Camel estuary in Cornwall as part of their routine water quality monitoring. The Camel is one of around twenty sites in a national network.

The mussel flesh is removed from the mussels and then sent to the Environment Agency laboratories at Starcross and Leeds where it is analysed for a range of chemical contaminants found in the shellfish.

Mussels are perfect bioindicators of pollution as they are relatively long-lived, filter large amounts of water and absorb a wide range of pollutants in the water, accumulating them in their tissues. This makes them useful in understanding water quality.

But Atlantic Blue Mussels are facing a worrying decline, suspected to be caused by climate change.

In response, Environment Agency scientists are working with the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science to evaluate new innovations which may help us sample water whilst protecting and conserving mussels.

Passive monitoring techniques use thin film membranes to absorb chemicals and pollutants present in the water and, if successful, may replace the need for using mussels.

Paul Elsmere, from the Cornwall Analysis and Reporting Team, said: “Passive monitoring techniques are a promising development which may allow us to move away from mussel sampling.”

“Wildlife is a great barometer of environmental health and none more so than the Atlantic Blue Mussel.”

“But with these amazing creatures in worrying decline we need to focus on new innovations to measure water quality.”

Two types of passive sampler device have been trialled on the Itchen Estuary in Hampshire, as part of the UK government’s HM Treasury funded Coastal Health, Livelihoods and Environment Shared Outcomes Fund project.

The effectiveness of passive sampler devices compared to traditional spot water sampling methods such as mussel samples are being evaluated, and if successful this technology could transform our approach to monitoring chemicals in our coastal waters.

Passive sampling may also have other benefits, such as when investigating coastal health where pressures may not be constant across time or when the threshold for potential effects is low.

23/05/2025

The Somerset Prepared partnership has launched its annual Community Resilience Awards with the Environment Agency in celebration of this month’s Somerset Day and are seeking nominations for the awards from the public.

These awards recognise people and groups who have gone above and beyond to help their community be better able to deal with emergencies.

Awards will be presented in two categories:

Group Award – for community organisations demonstrating exceptional emergency planning or preparedness
Individual Award – for people who have made significant personal contributions to community resilience


Award winners will receive public recognition and vouchers for community activities. The awards will be presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Mr Mohammed Saddiq at the Annual Somerset Prepared Community Resilience Day, which will be held at Taunton Racecourse on Thursday, 15 October. At the free event, partners welcome local people to celebrate Somerset’s community emergency volunteers, with workshops, presentations, and equipment demonstrations.

The Annual Somerset Prepared Community Resilience Day brings together key organisations including the Environment Agency, Somerset Rivers Authority and Somerset Council to help local communities strengthen their resilience against emergencies.

Dr Bel Deering, Community Engagement Officer for Somerset Rivers Authority, said: "The incredible work of volunteers who help their communities before and during emergencies deserves our gratitude. They are our local heroes, and their courage and compassion deserve to be celebrated and shared as stories of hope for all of Somerset.”

Last year’s individual winner was Lucie Reader of Pitcombe, whose exceptional leadership led to all homes in her community being flood protected for future emergencies. The group winner was Nunney Parish Council, whose councillors supported their community by proactively working with residents to improve their resilience to flooding.

Emma Giffard, Flood Resilience Engagement Advisor for the Environment Agency, said: “On behalf of all the Somerset Prepared partners, we extend our sincere thanks and warmly encourage both groups and individuals to submit their nominations for the awards.”

Nominations for the award close on 15 September 2025.

Visit https://www.somersetprepared.org.uk/somerset-community-resilience-awards to submit a nomination.