Our beaches are among the best
A survey by travel website Trip Advisor puts west country beaches in the top ten in the UK and Europe
Totem pole sold for triple its estimate
A totem pole spotted in a Dorset farmhouse has sold for £19,000 at auction in Dorchester. It was being used as a coat stand.
Shelterbox says it's business as normal
The charity insists that it's back to business as normal, despite the on-going row with its founder.
Live updates
Report: British Olympic medallist Andrew 'Bart' Simpson dies
British Olympic champion Andrew 'Bart' Simpson, who won a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing games, died on Thursday when his yacht capsized off the California coast during training for the America's Cup race, his racing team said in a statement.
Simpson had been sailing on the Artemis, Sweden's entry in the America's Cup, when the catamaran capsized, according to a statement for the team posted on the Artemis racing website.
"The entire Artemis Racing team is devastated by what happened," said CEO Paul Cayard. "Our heartfelt condolences are with Andrew's wife and family."
Artemis boss: 'Shock' over Andrew Simpson's death
Paul Cayard, CEO of Artemis Racing, said at a press conference: "We obviously had a tragic day today on the bay. Our thoughts and prayers are with Andrew Simpson's family - his wife and kids, and also with the rest of the team mates. It was a shocking experience to go through."
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Fire service tried to resuscitate Andrew 'Bart' Simpson
San Francisco Fire Department spokeswoman Mindy Talmadge confirmed to Press Association Sport that Andrew 'Bart' Simpson was taken to St Francis Yacht Club on the shore where paramedics performed emergency resuscitation, but he was pronounced dead.
She said another sailor suffered minor injuries.
Andrew 'Bart' Simpson was 'trapped for 10 minutes'
Sailor Andrew 'Bart' Simpson was trapped underneath the boat and, despite attempts by doctors afloat and subsequently ashore, he was unable to be saved.
He was trapped under the platform for an estimated 10 minutes.
Simpson represented Great Britain at two Olympic Games, sailing in the Star class alongside Iain Percy.
The pair took gold at the Beijing 2008 Games and last year were close to topping the podium once more, only to be bumped down to silver in the medal race.
Before last summer's Olympics, Simpson admitted that winning the America's Cup was his biggest goal.
He had hoped that dream would come true as strategist for challenger Artemis Racing, whose sailing team director and tactician is close friend Percy.
Catamaran capsized in tragic death of Andrew Simpson
Andrew 'Bart' Simpson was 'trapped underneath boat'
The Artemis Racing Team posted a statement on its website following the death of Andrew Bart Simpson.
“The entire Artemis Racing team is devastated by what happened,” said CEO Paul Cayard. “Our heartfelt condolences are with Andrew’s wife and family.”
– Artemis Racing statementIt is with immense sadness that Artemis Racing confirms the tragic death of crewmember Andrew “Bart” Simpson today in San Francisco.
Simpson, a British double Olympic gold medallist was one of the 11-man crew aboard Artemis Racing’s AC72 catamaran which capsized during training on San Francisco Bay ahead of this summer’s America’s Cup.
All other crew members are accounted for.
Simpson, however, was trapped underneath the boat and despite attempts to revive him, by doctors afloat and subsequently ashore, his life was lost.
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Last Royal Marines due home from Aghanistan
The last Royal Marines from Taunton-based 40 Commando are returning home from Afghanistan this evening. About 80 marines from Alpha Company are due back at Norton Manor camp, marking the end of a decade of operations in the country.
A homecoming march will take place in Taunton on Thursday, May 2nd.
Medical emergency on Lord Nelson
The Lord Nelson was making good progress around the world until a medical emergency developed. Richard Jones has the latest chapter in the story He talked to Alex Lochrane of the Jubilee Sailing Trust, Caroline and Les Jones, Gareth Cooper and Dominic Dobson
Devon runner escapes injury in Boston
A runner from North Devon who took part in the Boston Marathon says he escaped injury after two explosions on the race finishing line. Mark Jenkin, 34, from Barnstaple, completed the event in 2hrs 24 mins - less than half an hour before the two blasts rocked the area. More details here.
Trip of a lifetime
The tall ship Lord Nelson was the first of her kind to be designed for able-bodied and disabled people to sail together. Now she's undertaking her biggest-ever challenge - sailing round the world.
Included in the crew are Jo Sidey from Plymouth, and Lee Hayward and Terry Whitty from Liskeard.
