Latest news with #JohnPerkins
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Former Royal Marine and wife found dead in suspected 'murder-suicide' at seaside home as police refer themselves to watchdog
A former Royal Marine and his wife were found dead at their seaside home from gunshot wounds in a suspected murder-suicide. An inquest was opened today into the deaths of retired commando John Perkins, 66, and his 67-year-old wife Kathryn. A family member went to their home in Exmouth, Devon, on May 7 after they did not hear from either party, area coroner Alison Longhorn said. Mr Perkins, who was born in Kingston upon Thames, was located in the front entrance of the property with a significant head injury, the coroner added. The emergency services were called but Mr Perkins was declared deceased and his cause of death was a shotgun wound to the head. The coroner also opened an inquest into the death of retired nurse Mrs Perkins who was found on the same evening. On that day Mrs Perkins met a family member in Exmouth but they could not contact the couple later that day, the coroner said. Mrs Perkins, born in Sheffield, was found in the property and had suffered a shotgun wound to her chest. Devon and Cornwall police said they were called to the house at 6.30pm following concern for the welfare of the couple. Detective Inspector Neil Lloyd said at the time: 'This is a very sad incident and we are supporting the next of kin of the people who have died. We are not seeking anyone else in relation to this incident.' The area coroner adjourned the hearing and a full inquest will be held at a later date.
BBC News
14-05-2025
- BBC News
Exmouth couple found dead at home had gunshot wounds
Two people found dead at a property in Devon both suffered gunshot wounds, police have said. Husband and wife, John Perkins, 66, and Kathryn Perkins, 67, were pronounced dead at a property at Briar Close, Exmouth, at 18:30 BST on 7 May. A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said the fatalities were linked and Mrs Perkins' death was being treated as suspicious. They added that two legally held firearms had been located at the property and been seized. Officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths, the spokesperson said.A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said a voluntary referral had been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, in accordance with normal practice for matters relating to firearms licensing.
Powys County Times
12-05-2025
- General
- Powys County Times
Powys school time capsule opened almost 25 years later
Opening a time capsule hidden away in 2000 has brought back special memories of time spent at a village primary school, which closed almost two decades ago. Former pupils and staff at Sarn Church in England Primary School eagerly watched the contents of the grey plastic capsule being revealed by former headteacher John Perkins at The Sarn Inn pub on April 28. Inside were photos, letters and a tape recording from pupils explaining what life was like at the turn of the millennium in the farming community of Sarn and what they'd like to be when they're grown up. Brothers Sion and Ben Breeze were around five and nine years old when the capsule was hidden in the school attic. "It was a great school here in Sarn and we do miss it," said Ben, who grew up to be the area's county councillor. "It was such a small school and everyone was so connected. "In my year, there was just six of us, which you don't hear these days. You formed a better bond with your teachers and had a better value of education in smaller classrooms. "A big thank you to our teachers; they did a great job." Nathan Rogers had also recently started school as a four-year-old when the capsule was created back in 2000. "It's brought back great memories," the 29-year-old said. "I loved school. It was quite homely." County councillor Ben Breeze (Kerry and Sarn ward) read out the letter he wrote as a nine-year-old pupil at Sarn Church of England Primary School. Children of former Sarn Church of England Primary School pupils attended the opening of the time capsule. (Image: Anwen Parry) The capsule was "totally forgotten about" by the school's final headteacher John Perkins until he was reminded about it a few months ago. "It was about time we dug it out," Mr Perkins explained. After the disappointment of not finding the capsule in the attic of the school, which has since been run as OneSchool Global UK's Newtown Campus, Mr Perkins later received a message that the capsule had finally been found in a cupboard at the village hall. "It's living history," said Mr Perkins, who was headteacher until the school closed in 2006 after 145 years. "It was the best job in the world. "I have very, very fond memories of the school. I had brilliant teachers; the children were well-behaved, and the parents were very supportive. "It was a good farming community. "Two of my colleagues who are here said they've missed it; nothing compares to Sarn. "It was a church school and we were able to have assemblies and share stories from the Bible and sing hymns; a number of the children I've met, even in recent times, look back on that as very significant in their lives." The primary school in Sarn, which is two miles from the border with Shropshire, was unique because it was the only Church of England school in Wales. In every act of parliament which mentioned church schools in England it always had "and Sarn in Wales". Despite the capsule originally being left to be opened in 2049, the community agreed to unseal it and add more memories from 2025 before being 'buried' again.
