Latest news with #Okehampton
BBC News
25-05-2025
- BBC News
Okehampton skate park jam raises more than £1,000 for renovations
A fundraising event to renovate a skatepark in Devon has raised more than £1,000, organisers have said. Devon and Cornwall Police said Okehampton Police had been working with the community in a bid to rejuvenate the town's skatepark in a bid to prevent anti-social force said a skate jam event was held at the site on Beare Bridge Road on 17 May and included a DJ set, skate competitions and a climbing Sean Jones said: "Okehampton doesn't have much to offer children – particularly those aged 10 to 16 – and we hope local resources like the skatepark will be effective in reducing and preventing anti-social behaviour." Mr Jones said funding was not available to the site which was in "desperate need of renovation". Police said the Community Recreation Association, Men in Sheds, Okehampton Community Kitchen, Skate Warehouse, Immersion, Okehampton United Charities, and Okehampton Town Council all contributed towards the event."All of the money raised on Saturday will go to the Okehampton Skatepark Regeneration group, who are working to refurbish it and make it safe for the community to enjoy," Mr Jones said."We were overwhelmed by the support we received from local charities, businesses and youth clubs who provided prizes and helped to organise this fantastic event."I think the skate jam is a great example of what we can achieve when we work together, and this event has really strengthened the relationship between police and the Okehampton community."
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
More than £1,000 raised to revamp town's skatepark
A fundraising event to renovate a skatepark in Devon has raised more than £1,000, organisers have said. Devon and Cornwall Police said Okehampton Police had been working with the community in a bid to rejuvenate the town's skatepark in a bid to prevent anti-social behaviour. The force said a skate jam event was held at the site on Beare Bridge Road on 17 May and included a DJ set, skate competitions and a climbing wall. PCSO Sean Jones said: "Okehampton doesn't have much to offer children – particularly those aged 10 to 16 – and we hope local resources like the skatepark will be effective in reducing and preventing anti-social behaviour." More news stories for Devon Listen to the latest news for Devon Mr Jones said funding was not available to the site which was in "desperate need of renovation". Police said the Community Recreation Association, Men in Sheds, Okehampton Community Kitchen, Skate Warehouse, Immersion, Okehampton United Charities, and Okehampton Town Council all contributed towards the event. "All of the money raised on Saturday will go to the Okehampton Skatepark Regeneration group, who are working to refurbish it and make it safe for the community to enjoy," Mr Jones said. "We were overwhelmed by the support we received from local charities, businesses and youth clubs who provided prizes and helped to organise this fantastic event. "I think the skate jam is a great example of what we can achieve when we work together, and this event has really strengthened the relationship between police and the Okehampton community." Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Devon and Cornwall Police
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Cornish comedian Jethro's 'J35 TER' number plate up for auction
A distinctive number plate belonging to the late Cornish comedian Jethro is expected to fetch more than £12,000 at stand-up comedian used the 'J35 TER' plate on his personal cars, including his series of Toyota Land number plate is part of a dispersal sale of vehicles, farm equipment and other machinery at Jethro's former home at Lewdown near Okehampton, Devon.A viewing is being held on Wednesday and the online auction will close to bids on Thursday evening. Harvey Pile from Stags Auctioneers said the 'J35 TER' number plate had already attracted bids of up to £12, said: "It is a very unique piece of comedic history. It was also seen on his Toyota Land Cruiser on his final journey as he was carried in his coffin to Truro Cathedral for his funeral."There is a high level of interest from all over the country. Lots of people have made enquiries - we will see if that is translated into bids."It's definitely unusual. It's not something we'd sell every day."Jethro, real name Geoffrey Rowe, died in December 2021 at the age of 73 after contracting most of the 59 lots up for sale this week are diggers, farm machinery and 4x4 vehicles from his contracting business, there is a second number plate available - 'B11 ECS'.
BBC News
13-05-2025
- BBC News
Man who threatened Devon Wetherspoon customers with axe jailed
A man who marched into a Wetherspoon pub armed with an axe and threatened two men in the beer garden has been jailed. Jason Semple, 54, of Tavistock Road, Okehampton, Devon, admitted two charges of threatening a person with a bladed article at the White Hart Hotel in Okehampton. The incident happened at about 18:00 BST on 13 April, with Semple later arrested a mile-and-a-half (2.4km) away but the axe was not Exeter Crown Court, Semple admitted "shame and embarrassment" to what he did before being sentenced to 10 months in prison. Sentencing, Judge David Evans said Semple's intention was to frighten rather than use the axe, but added there was a foreseeable risk that the weapon could have been court also heard Semple, who had 140 previous convictions, had been drinking all claimed he could not remember what happened in the short-lived incident, which was also caught on Semple added that he felt shame and embarrassment for what had happened, the court heard.
BBC News
08-05-2025
- BBC News
Ten Tors 2025: What it is, the routes, rules and how to prepare
Ten Tors: Rules, routes and safety measures 5 minutes ago Share Save Share Save BBC Ten Tors will see 400 teams of six travelling across Dartmoor Chloe Parkman BBC News, South West Thousands of people will descend upon Dartmoor at the weekend to take part in the 63rd Ten Tors challenge. The annual event, between 9 and 11 May, is usually attempted by 2,400 teenagers in 400 teams of six, and organisers said routes ranged between 35 and 55 miles (56 to 88km). The challenge, organised by the British Army's Headquarters South West, involves teams navigating routes across the northern half of Dartmoor in under two days. "Teams must be self-sufficient, carrying all they need to complete their route and stay out overnight safely," organisers said. What and when is Ten Tors? The Ten Tors challenge began back in the 1960s, when it was attended by 200 people. The founders of the inaugural expedition were Lt Col Lionel Gregory, Major Parker and Capt Joyner following an adventure training exercise for young trainees on Dartmoor in 1959. There are three formats for the challenge: 35 miles (56km) for 14 and 15 year olds 45 miles (72km) for those aged 16 and 17 55 miles (88km) for 18 to 19 year olds The teams are assigned one of 26 routes which requires them to visit at least 10 safety controls and checkpoints in the order given. Organiser said each route had its "own unique problems and combinations of tors". The teams are due to set off from Okehampton Camp at 07:00 BST on Saturday and can go no further than their eighth tor on the first day. Teams must reach the finish line at Okehampton Camp at 17:00 on Sunday. How difficult is it? The Army Headquarters South West said the challenge was "immensely tough". It said: "Those teenagers taking part will trek unaided... and will encounter some of the toughest terrain and highest peaks in southern England. "They will rely on their navigational skills, and carry all their food, water, bedding, tents and other essentials as they go. "It is a feat they must complete as a team, and without any help from adults, and they'll remain entirely self-sufficient during their arduous expeditions, including camping out overnight on the moor." In 2024, challengers from Torquay Boys Grammar described "tough times" but said team work got them through. One member said: "It's the best thing for camaraderie you could ever do as friends. There were really, really tough times but we picked each other up... we got through it." Challenge rules Prior to the event, those participating must complete "structured and progressive" training, which includes four days of training on Dartmoor and two nights of wild camping. Teams must follow their allocated route, which only specify which staffed locations must be visited and in what order. It is up to teams to identify and navigate their own ways between them. Each team must carry all its requirements for the challenge and must be completely self-contained. Outside assistance, including shops and public toilets, is forbidden. The Army Headquarters South West said phones were not allowed, excluding one to be kept in a sealed bag for emergency use only. It said medals would only be given to those who completed the challenge in the time allowed. The Jubilee Challenge Alongside the main expedition, there is also the one-day Jubilee Challenge, which has been designed for young people with a range of physical, neurological or educational needs. Up to 400 people can enter the Jubilee Challenge each year, which offers four different routes which range 7.5 and 15 miles (12 and 24 km). The Jubilee Challenge begins on Saturday at 07:30 BST and ends at 17:00. The Jubilee-Plus Challenge, which was launched in 2024, is aimed at young adults with special educational needs and disability who are capable of an overnight stay, but may find the entire Ten Tors challenge inaccessible, organisers added. Establishments may enter up to two teams with a maximum of four participants per team to take part in the Jubilee-Plus Challenge 18-mile (29km) route, which organisers said was "physically arduous and challenging". Who can take part? Each year hundreds of applications, exceeding the 400 teams limit, are made to Ten Tors organisers. Any establishment such as schools, scout groups or clubs in the south-west of England can apply to enter teams and applications are made in September. The organisers' selection committee meets at the end of September each year and a list of successful entries is published online. Organisers said the 400 team-limit was agreed as there were "many competing demands" for Dartmoor's space and the limit existed to maintain the "balance". They also said the limit was in place to retain a "crucial aspect" of the challenge, which it said was for teams to be "alone on the moor and rely on their own resources". Safety is at the "heart of the planning", organisers say Is it safe? The Army Headquarters South West said safety was at the "heart of the planning and execution" of the challenge. It said: "It is an exercise which is meticulously planned... over many months in advance working closely with other key civilian organisations, such as Devon and Cornwall Police, the Met Office, the British Red Cross and the Dartmoor Search and Rescue Group, who will provide almost 350 volunteers. "For the vast majority of the young people taking part in Ten Tors, the event itself is the culmination of months of training designed by team managers to ensure they are fit enough to walk up to 40 miles [64km] in one day across Dartmoor, but, crucially, are also gelled as a team and proficient at navigating across the wilderness of the open moor." It said all teams carried a satellite tracker which would be monitored by staff in an operations room based at Okehampton. Team managers are required to attend an Army briefing which focuses on the harsh extremes of Dartmoor's climate, with further briefings and kit checks one day prior to the event. Organisers said a heightened fire-risk status would also be in effect during this year's expedition following a wildfire What to pack? Items including a torch, whistle and a compass must be carried by those taking part in the challenge. A sleeping mat, sleeping bag, sun cream and base layers are also listed among the packing list. Trousers must "completely cover lower limbs" to provide protection against sun and insects, with three-quarter length leggings "prohibited". Waterproofs, a hat, emergency rations and a first aid pack are also included on the packing list. Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@
