Latest news with #Tiverton
Telegraph
18-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Lib Dem MP tried to put half pint of cider on expenses
A Liberal Democrat MP tried to charge taxpayers for a £1.85 half-pint of cider, despite earning a salary of more than £91,000. Racael Gilmour, who represents Tiverton and Minehead, was also successful in claiming expenses for golf club hospitality and birthday cards. Ms Gilmour submitted the £11.81 claim in December 2024 for a pub meal, which included chips, a halloumi wrap, a hot drink, and a half-pint of Thatchers Haze cider. The claim for alcohol was flagged by Parliamentary authorities and rejected. However, the MP did succeed in claiming £5.50 for 'beverages', £2.75 for hospitality at Tiverton Golf Club, and £5.50 for a birthday card, all of which were reimbursed on expenses. Ms Gilmour, who previously made headlines after taking an evening fall in Parliament, has drawn criticism from campaigners, who have called for her to pay back the money. James Wright, a Conservative campaigner, said: 'At a time when families are being squeezed by rising bills, people will rightly ask why a Liberal Democrat MP is attempting to expense cider and claiming drinks at the golf club. 'Like Labour, the Lib Dems are good at spending other people's money. If Rachel Gilmour respected her voters, she'd pay it all back.' A Labour source said: 'This shows the Lib Dems love a bit of wining and dining, and comes in the same week they joined forces with the Tories in Parliament to oppose Labour's measures to make workers' rights in hospitality more secure.' It is not known whether any of the approved claims have been voluntarily reimbursed. Ms Gilmour has previously faced criticism for allegedly swearing at security guards during a visit to Hinkley Poin t, and for employing her son in her taxpayer-funded office. At the time she referred herself to the parliamentary watchdog saying: 'This was an honest mistake. Henry was assisting me with the setting up of my office in a voluntary capacity.' At the time of the Hinkley Point incident, Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty took to Twitter/X saying: 'Anybody who's seen Rachel Gilmour around the Parliamentary Estate, or in the bar, won't be surprised by reports of this behaviour.' Legacy of frittering Ms Gilmour denied the reports of the 'language used' at the time. MPs are permitted to claim reasonable costs for meals, travel and office administration, but alcohol, personal gifts and leisure expenses are explicitly discouraged. A spokesperson for Rachel Gilmour said: 'Within the role of a Member of Parliament, there are many expenses which would be considered reasonable to claim for, as per IPSA [Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority] guidelines. 'Rachel Gilmour has accurately logged her expenses with IPSA, and where appropriate those have been paid. 'Conservative Party commentators are in no position to criticise hard-working MPs with their legacy of frittering away taxpayers' money by the Conservative Governments of Johnson and Truss.' In 2023 some 46,562 beers were consumed at parliamentary bars. It is not clear whether these were pints or bottles. MPs have access to several bars across the Parliamentary Estate, where drinks are cheaper than nearby central London pubs.
BBC News
14-07-2025
- BBC News
Devon Air Ambulance charity shop damaged in burglary in Tiverton
A burglary which damaged a newly opened charity shop in Devon has left staff deeply Devon Air Ambulance charity shop on Fore Street in Tiverton was broken into in the early hours of Saturday morning between 00:46 and 01:13 BST, the charity said.A man was captured on CCTV kicking the front door open and shattering the glass before he broke into a collection box and took items of clothing and costume jewellery. The "mindless act" will cost hundreds of pounds to repair, the charity added. Devon and Cornwall Police said it was investigating the break-in. The incident was reported to police by a group of people who were passing the shop and saw the charity said the crime had caused irreparable damage to the shop's doors. Devon Air Ambulance said in a statement: "This unexpected setback not only strains the charity's resources but has also deeply upset the staff, many of whom are volunteers who dedicate their time out of a genuine desire to help others."They are disheartened that an organisation focused on compassion and caring for others has been targeted in such a way."An investigation has been launched by Devon and Cornwall Police and enquiries are ongoing, the force said.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Homes scheme for historic Devon site approved
A plan for up to 100 homes to be built on land near a historic house has been approved. The proposals for Tidcombe Hall in Tiverton were rejected for a second time by Mid Devon District Council's planning committee last year, with the plan attracting some 170 letters of objection. Opponents at the time expressed concern about the impact on the nearby Grand Western Canal, an increased risk of flooding and increased traffic along Tidcombe Lane. The firm behind the scheme, Tidcombe Holdings, lodged an appeal in January and said the council could not meet government planning targets relating to the number of developable sites in the district. The Planning Inspectorate scrutinised the proposal over a two-week period during May and June and has now accepted the appeal, meaning that outline planning permission is approved, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) reported. Council leader Luke Taylor said: "This devastating decision is a direct consequence of the recent adjustment to housing targets. "We had a five-year housing land supply and robust local plan policies but the 65 percent increase has fundamentally undermined our position." The planning inspector said the potential impact on the character and appearance of the area would not be overly damaging, adding that he felt the proposed development would only have an "overall neutral effect on the significance of Tidcombe Hall" as a heritage asset. The planning inspector said: "124 affordable dwellings are needed per year in Mid Devon but the net delivery has averaged 45 dwellings per year only. "Therefore, significant weight can also be afforded to the delivery of affordable housing as part of this development." The inspector attached 29 conditions to his approval, including a plan for how trees would be protected. The approval is for an outline plan, meaning the developer would need to submit a full application with all details of the scheme. Mid Devon's planning committee will scrutinise it. More news stories for Devon Listen to the latest news for Devon Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Homes scheme for historic Devon site rejected Planning approval granted for Devon country park Plans to build 220 homes in North Devon approved Mid Devon District Council
BBC News
26-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Devon homes scheme for historic site approved by council
A plan for up to 100 homes to be built on land near a historic house has been approved. The proposals for Tidcombe Hall in Tiverton were rejected for a second time by Mid Devon District Council's planning committee last year, with the plan attracting some 170 letters of at the time expressed concern about the impact on the nearby Grand Western Canal, an increased risk of flooding and increased traffic along Tidcombe firm behind the scheme, Tidcombe Holdings, lodged an appeal in January and said the council could not meet government planning targets relating to the number of developable sites in the district. 'Devastating decision' The Planning Inspectorate scrutinised the proposal over a two-week period during May and June and has now accepted the appeal, meaning that outline planning permission is approved, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) leader Luke Taylor said: "This devastating decision is a direct consequence of the recent adjustment to housing targets."We had a five-year housing land supply and robust local plan policies but the 65 percent increase has fundamentally undermined our position." The planning inspector said the potential impact on the character and appearance of the area would not be overly damaging, adding that he felt the proposed development would only have an "overall neutral effect on the significance of Tidcombe Hall" as a heritage planning inspector said: "124 affordable dwellings are needed per year in Mid Devon but the net delivery has averaged 45 dwellings per year only."Therefore, significant weight can also be afforded to the delivery of affordable housing as part of this development."The inspector attached 29 conditions to his approval, including a plan for how trees would be approval is for an outline plan, meaning the developer would need to submit a full application with all details of the Devon's planning committee will scrutinise it.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Spoiler alert: What we know about the plot of M. Night Shyamalan's RI movie
Editor's note: This story may reveal the basic premise and broad plot concepts of "Remain," the movie M. Night Shyamalan is filming in Rhode Island this summer. LITTLE COMPTON – He doesn't really consider himself a movie buff, but when Carlos Esteves heard that M. Night Shyamalan would be filming a movie not far from his Tiverton home, he figured it might be worth his while to wander by the site. And bring his phone, with its video camera capabilities. "I enjoy streaming on YouTube. It's my little thing," Esteves told The Providence Journal on Tuesday, June 24. "I like to stream local stuff. I find the movie business interesting." When he got to Gray's General Store, in Adamsville, on Friday, June 20, and again on June 23, he found movie trucks and crews and equipment and started streaming live to his YouTube channel, DisneyWorldFreak. He says he even captured director Shyamalan and star Jake Gyllenhaal. Shyamalan was using the oldest general store in America, established in 1788, to film scenes for his supernatural romantic thriller "Remain," which is due out in theaters for Halloween in 2026. While Shyamalan has said very little publicly about the plot of the movie, a huge clue can be found on Amazon's website. In an unusual arrangement, Shyamalan has teamed up with novelist Nicholas Sparks to tell the same original story, once as a novel and then again as a movie. And while "Remain" the movie isn't coming out until 2026, "Remain" the novel is due in stores in October of 2025. And it's already available for pre-order on Amazon. So, the plot description for the book should tip us off to what the movie is about, right? It's not like Shyamalan to pull a major head fake and make an entirely different movie, is it? (OK, maybe "I see dead people" suggests he might do something exactly like that.) Last warning before spoilers! Anyway, here's what "Remain" the book is about, according to Amazon: New York architect Tate Donovan is designing his best friend's summer home on Cape Cod shortly after leaving an upscale psychiatric facility. Tate is dealing with depression after the death of his sister Sylvia, who revealed that she sees spirits tethered to the living world and that this "gift" runs in the family. When Tate moves into a bed-and-breakfast on the Cape, he meets a young woman named Wren, and they form an instant bond, though they still have much to learn about each other. "Love – while transformative – can sometimes be frightening," the Amazon listing says. "'Remain' asks us all: Can love set us free, not only from our greatest sorrows but even from the boundaries of life and death?" Does that sound like the plot of an M. Night Shyamalan movie? This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Plot of Shyamalan, Gyllenhaal RI movie 'Remain' hinted at on Amazon
