Live World War Two grenade found in Westward Ho! rockpool
A beachgoer discovered a live World War Two grenade in a rockpool.A man walking along the beach found the grenade at about 15:30 BST on Monday near Westward Ho!, Bideford Coastguard Rescue Team (BCRT) said.The team was dispatched by Falmouth Coastguard following a call from Devon & Cornwall Police. The Royal Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal team from the Devonport naval base in Plymouth was called in while coastguards cordoned off the area, which included part of the South West Coast Path.
The grenade was then safely destroyed on-site in a controlled explosion after being buried and rigged with a small charge."A big thank you to the public for their patience and co-operation," BCRT said.
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Scotsman
10 hours ago
- Scotsman
Veteran who lost eye in combat now assists others with visual impairment
Steven Williams, a former soldier who lost his eye after being injured during a patrol in Kenya, is determined to use his story to inspire others to support Sight Scotland Veterans. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Steven, aged 42, who has been supported by Sight Scotland Veterans since being medically discharged from the army in 2011 and now works for the charity as an independent living worker, is taking on four Kilt Walks in 2025, in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee. He is taking on this 80-mile walking challenge, alongside his partner, to highlight all the great work Sight Scotland Veterans does and to say thank you to a charity that has done so much to help him both personally and professionally. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He explains: 'Sight Scotland Veterans is a fantastic charity. It supported me in my time of need, and now I want to give back. I really want to raise awareness of the great work the charity does, as too many people with vision impairment suffer in silence and we all need some support at different times. You can find yourself lonely and isolated, which can affect your self-esteem and confidence. I have been there myself. Steven Williams, seated second from the right, sits atop an armoured vehicle adorned with Hibs and Hearts flags, with Scottish flags flying in the background. "Without the help of this charity, I genuinely don't know where I would be. Every veteran in Scotland living with sight loss, no matter their age or where they are, needs to know that a variety of help is available through Sight Scotland Veterans. 'I served ten years in the Army, starting with the Royal Scots. I did a couple of tours in Iraq and each one was completely different. The first was intense combat, modern day warfare. The second was more about training the Iraqi Army to be self-sufficient and allow the British Armed Forces to leave. There were some hairy moments along the way, we got blown up by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in the back of a FV510 Warrior, an armoured vehicle, during one patrol down 'Route Irish' which is a 7.5mile stretch from the Green Zone to Bagdad's Internation Airport. "The FV510 Warrior was immobilised when an IED detonated at the front, striking the engine, if it hadn't, I wouldn't be here to tell the story. Our training automatically kicked in and we secured the site but thankfully there was no secondary fire. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad I returned from that seven-month tour in March 2008, and by early summer, I heard The Black Watch were seeking a 30-man platoon from other Scottish regiments for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. I loved the Army and, naively feeling invincible, volunteered for transfer to The Black Watch. Part of our training took place in Kenya, where the terrain and heat mirrored conditions in Afghanistan. Steven Williams and his partner Wilma at the finish line of the Glasgow Kiltwalk "After four weeks in the field near Nairobi, a branch snapped back during a patrol and struck me in the eye. There was no blood, and you couldn't really stop, so I kept going, but by morning I couldn't see. I was CASEVAC (casualty evacuated) from the field and taken to hospital in Nairobi where they removed part of the thorn. I flew back with a field doctor having drops put in my eye every fifteen minutes during a ten-hour flight. 'Back in the UK, and I remember being in Heathrow and I was still wearing my dusty and dirty camouflage clothing, and the field doctor went into one of those fancy designer shops and bought some 'civvy' clothes. I went to Moorfields Eye Hospital in London to stabilise my eye and I was transferred to Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre for a week before returning to my unit in Edinburgh. I still had the eye, but I had no central vision. "Over the next two years, I went through 12 operations, everything from treating cataracts to infections and high pressure. The doctors didn't really know what to do. Eventually, they gave me a choice of keep undergoing treatments and medication or to remove the eye. I made the difficult decision to have it taken out in May 2011, and the following week I was told I was no longer 'fit to serve.' I was gutted, but after two years of being unable to serve as a soldier due to my injury, I felt ready to leave the Army, but it was still daunting. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'After that, things got extremely hard. I started to feel sorry for myself and I didn't know what to do. I essentially lost my eye, my job, my purpose, and I felt completely lost. It was around this time I started to get help from Sight Scotland Veterans and my independent living worker in Midlothian was amazing. She supported not just me, but also my partner and our children. That meant the world, because when a veteran loses their sight, the whole family is affected. Until I had my eye removed, people didn't even understand that I was injured. It was invisible, and that made it even harder to deal with. 'I was fitted with a prosthetic eye, but it was so uncomfortable, and I was told I would need yet another operation on my eye lids and I couldn't face it. So, I spoke with my family, and we all agreed that if I was OK with how I looked (without the prosthetic eye), I didn't need it. But even now, I struggle. I am not classed as legally sight-impaired, but my sight loss affects me every single day. "It's still hard walking downstairs, judging distance, even noticing someone coming from the side, I'm constantly worried about bumping into things. I also struggle to shave one side of my face, and taking part in video meetings is difficult without becoming self-conscious. I cannot escape the fact that I've lost my eye. I spent ten years pretending I didn't have sight loss; I was embarrassed by it. But over time, I've tried to be a bit kinder to myself. 'The support I received from Sight Scotland Veterans was invaluable. They encouraged me to get involved with the community again. I started by volunteering to coach my son's football team. That led me to the Lothian Veterans Centre where, after seven months of volunteering, I was offered a part-time job as an employability officer. Eventually, I became the operations Manager for four years. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "It was a rewarding but demanding role, often supporting people in crisis such as facing job loss, homelessness, or struggling with their mental or physical health. I was regularly contacted out of hours, even on Christmas Day, and often neglected my own wellbeing. All this time I wasn't dealing with my own sight loss, and my mental health began to suffer. Throughout this time Sight Scotland Veterans remained a constant support. 'I took voluntary redundancy from Lothian Veterans Centre in May 2019. Like many small charities reliant on annual grants, we had to reapply for funding but were unsuccessful. Deep down, I realised I needed a break. This became a real turning point for me. I took time to re-evaluate my life and even began exploring mindfulness and yoga. Around nine months later, I successfully applied for a role with Sight Scotland Veterans as a centre worker and started at Linburn in 2020, just a week into lockdown. I loved working there over the next four years, helping veterans rebuild their lives after the pandemic. "In August last year, I started a new role as an independent living worker for Fife, and I thoroughly enjoy helping veterans live as independently as possible and reconnect with their communities. I know first-hand how vital this support is, especially for those experiencing sight loss for the first time or facing significant changes. Some conditions sadly worsen over time, so reassessment is crucial. "I always ask myself: how can we make a meaningful difference? What do they truly need? Often, it's the small, everyday tasks, like safely making a cup of tea, that matter most. We provide training and equipment to support this, helping people maintain independence at home. Our team also offers expert support with more complex issues like housing, finances, and wellbeing. Through our centres, sight support groups, and digital hub calls, we provide social connection and camaraderie - and the chance to share our lived experiences, which I believe is invaluable." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Steven has also recently joined the Sight Loss Councils in Scotland, which are led by blind and partially sighted people who use lived experience to tackle local and national issues to improve the accessibility of services. If you have been inspired by Steven and would like to take on your own challenge to help support Sight Scotland Veterans, please visit or call 0800 035 6409.
The Sun
10 hours ago
- The Sun
Our village is so smelly that we're being told to shove duvets down our toilets – and it's only going to get WORSE
RESIDENTS in a rural village are being plagued by sewage - as a new development could make the problem worse. Local Parish Councillors have bashed the proposed housing development as the village's infrastructure is already struggling. 3 3 3 The village of Feniton, Devon, has been plagued by the smell of sewage, with locals encouraged to stuff duvets down their toilets to prevent sewage from overflowing. Meanwhile, a proposal from South West Strategic Developments Ltd. (SWSD) aims to build 60 new homes in the area. It has led to intense backlash from Parish Councillors who are more concerned with the village's ongoing problems than its expansion, as they worry the development could make things worse. Chairman Martyn Smith told DevonLive: "We've got sewage coming up in people's toilets, it's bubbling out onto the roads - and there were even condoms hanging over the edge of a pipe discharging into a flood alleviation ditch. The sewage problems stem from a Victorian system that wasn't upgraded in line with housing expansion in the area the council alleges. Councillors added that the Feniton sewage treatment works is one of the worst polluters on the River Otter. South West Water have admitted to 14 reports of sewage backing up, Martyn says, but councillors believe it to be more than that. Several councillors are directly impacted by the village's sewage problems which gets worse during heavy rain. Councillor Chris Wilkins said one woman has reportedly had to ask neighbours not to flush their toilets to prevent sewage from flooding her garden. The area was previously declared an "unsustainable location" by a planning inspector after a 2014 public inquiry. Our posh village is now ghost town strewn with empty homes Several large-scale housing projects were refused on these grounds. There was one exception to this - 34 new houses that Martyn says "ended in disaster" when the builder went bust as it left the homes half-finished. Councillor Pam Rink said: "It smells all the time, even when it hasn't rained. With any more building, it just isn't going to cope." Even a flood alleviation scheme intended to deal with surface water hasn't fixed the problem - as that is reportedly receiving sewage too. Martyn said that South West Water has alleged that someone is illegally connected into the surface drain, but he adds "that's just deflection." Despite organising meetings with the sewage company, the villagers have been unable to reach a resolution. In addition to the heightened burden on sewage, locals also worry about the impact on traffic that the development could bring. The narrow lane into the town already causes issues for the existing residents, and councillors worry an expansion would only make it worse. In a statement to DevonLive, South West Water said: 'We recognise the concerns raised by Feniton residents and parish councillors and have met with them to discuss these issues in detail. 'We have investigated reports of sewage problems in the village and carried out maintenance to address blockages. 'We continue to work closely with local authorities and developers to ensure the sewerage system can support future housing, with infrastructure improvements planned as required. We remain committed to protecting the environment and supporting the Feniton community.' A statement from SWSD reads: 'The application has made in line with the draft allocation of the emerging East Devon Local Plan. "South West Water is a consultee in this process and have raised no objections to the proposals. They outline that improvements are already being progressed to address the community concerns around the existing systems and increase its capacity.' The Sun has reached out to Feniton Parish Council for comment.
Wales Online
13 hours ago
- Wales Online
Couple trying to convert WWII water tower into seven-bedroom home hit problems
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A couple trying to convert a World War Two water tower into a seven-bedroom home say they "can't afford" to leave the project incomplete as they set up a GoFundMe appeal Sean Davies, 55, and Mary Davies, 57, bought more than an acre of land at the disused RAF Hospital Nocton Hall site for £25,000 in 2018. They took on the huge conversion of the 1940s water tower in Lincolnshire in 2021, armed with a £350,000 budget and hopes of creating their dream home with seven-bedrooms and four-bathrooms. However, the couple, who have five children and five grandchildren, have hit several obstacles along the way. They were forced to temporarily live in a caravan while the site was uninhabitable and install their own utilities, such as sewage treatment and drinking water. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now (Image: Family handout/PA Real Life) Unexpected renovation costs pushed them well over budget, so the pair set up a GoFundMe page for support to finish the build as they estimate the total cost will be £500,000. They say they "can't afford" to leave the project incomplete as they would be left with "nothing", reports the Manchester Evening News. Fortunately, the couple predict that the work will now be completed by the end of summer, with only the renovations on the top three floors of the five-storey tower and the installation of a sprinkler system remaining. But following Sean's diagnosis with motor neurone disease (MND) in March 2023, an incurable condition that progressively damages parts of the nervous system, they are eager to finish the project so he can enjoy the fruits of their labour before his condition worsens. Having previously lived in council properties, the couple were drawn to the RAF site by the abundance of space and privacy it offered, with more than an acre of land included in the sale. "When we arrive home, we go through the big military gates on the site and drive past all the derelict buildings," Sean said. "There's no street lighting, no public access, no neighbours - we're driving through history just to reach our home. He added: "When the site finally gets developed, the tower is very likely going to be the only bit which remains." Mary commented: "It's been part of the landscape for the locals since the 40s, it would have been a shame for that to have disappeared. "We're custodians to the water tower, I don't feel like we own it really and, one day, it will be passed onto someone else in the future when we've finished enjoying it." With strong connections to the site, Mary's father worked as a civilian electrician at the hospital and her significant other, Sean, was a patient there at the tender age of seven. Sean said they realised "it would be a fantastic build" if they decided to convert the tower, leading to their efforts to transform the 15m-tall structure into a seven-bedroom, four-bathroom residence. The main living spaces including the kitchen, lounge, office, gym, utility room, and a toilet are nestled in a modern glass extension, the bedrooms and bathrooms find their place within the tower itself. Mary explained the creation of the glass addition saying: "It was the only way we could get planning permission so it was a little more costly with the glass and the timber frame, but at the end of it we're going to have a seven-bedroom property," They also had to install their own utilities in the once uninhabited space, such as sewage treatment, filtration for drinking water and a heating tank. The tower itself is "not a huge space" width-wise, Mary said, but thanks to its height it has the potential for five floors, with two currently functioning as bedrooms and a bathroom, leaving three left to complete. "We're experiencing now what it's like to sleep in the tower," Mary revealed. "It's the perfect place for a restful sleep, it's absolutely brilliant, and it's a miracle we've been able to do this." To complete the renovation fully, the couple need to finish the tower's conversion, fit a sprinkler system, and round off any plastering, painting and decorating. (Image: Family handout/PA Real Life) After Sean was diagnosed with MND in March 2023 during the renovations, they are keen to finish the conversion by summer's end for him to "enjoy" their efforts before his condition deteriorates. Sean shared his experience with an experimental treatment drug called Tofersen, which he credits with helping manage his symptoms, such as weakness and muscle reduction, for around a year. "It's given us hope for a better future," Mary stated optimistically. Facing unexpected costs that stretched their budget, the couple set up a GoFundMe page, estimating the total spend on the conversion at about £500,000. "We're really grateful to everyone who has donated," said Mary, acknowledging the support they received. "You don't set up a GoFundMe page without a lot of thought and we're just trying to relieve some of the stress on us. "Once you start a project like this, you've got to finish it - you can't afford to not finish it because then you've got nothing."
