Cheltenham A&E closing for five days amid doctors’ strikes

Daisy BodkinGloucestershire BBCThe department will reopen once the strike ends on the 22nd of DecemberAn A&E department is closing for five days as doctors strike across the country.Cheltenham General Hospital's emergency department will shut between 20:00 GMT on Tuesday until 08:00 on Monday. The site will instead be used as a minor injury unit from Wednesday until Sunday.Dr Ananthakrishnan Raghuram, the hospital's chief medical Officer, said: "This is a difficult time... but we're ready, we're prepared and we…

Continue ReadingCheltenham A&E closing for five days amid doctors’ strikes

Probe as drone footage appears to show illegal fox hunt

Paul BarltropWest of England political editorSomerset Hunt Saboteurs released drone footage showing hounds repeatedly pursuing a foxPolice have launched an investigation after footage appears to show a fox being illegally hunted. Somerset Hunt Saboteurs released drone footage appearing to show hounds repeatedly pursuing a fox, with members of the Vale of Taunton and Banwell Harriers Hunt nearby.Avon and Somerset Police is investigating the video and has also hosted a meeting with several local hunts to remind them of…

Continue ReadingProbe as drone footage appears to show illegal fox hunt

Teenage boy arrested in Worle on suspicion of murdering girl, 9

Sarah TurnnidgeWest of England BBCPolice say a teenage boy has been arrested in Worle, North Somerset A teenage boy has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a nine-year-old girl.Police were called to Lime Close in the Mead Vale area of Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, at 18:09 GMT on Monday, where the girl was pronounced dead at the scene. The boy was arrested in nearby Worle at 18:19 and is currently in police custody. House-to-house inquiries are being carried out,…

Continue ReadingTeenage boy arrested in Worle on suspicion of murdering girl, 9

Glastonbury multi-million pound regeneration projects axed

Michelle Ruminski,Somerset political reporterandRuth Bradley,Somerset political reporterBBC NewsRed Brick says it is "preparing for the very real possibility of insolvency"A council has terminated two multi-million pound government-funded regeneration projects after an audit of one highlighted concerns over governance and finances. Somerset Council ended the Life Factory and Glastonbury Food and Regenerative Farming Centre projects, both Glastonbury Town Deal schemes, in November. In a new report, the authority says it is seeking repayment of more than £2.4m in grant…

Continue ReadingGlastonbury multi-million pound regeneration projects axed

‘Organ pipes removed’ and ‘More SEND school places’

Gloucester CathedralThe pipes from Gloucester Cathedral's 17th Century organ have been removed for repairsHere's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media.Our pick of local website storiesPolice have confirmed the body of a missing man was found in the water at Bristol Harbour, while officers were searching for a different person, Bristol Live reports. More than 100 school places for children with special educational needs will…

Continue Reading‘Organ pipes removed’ and ‘More SEND school places’

How to avoid delays on the big Christmas getaway

Chris LockyerWest of EnglandBBCThe RAC has predicted this year will be the busiest Christmas getaway on recordThe annual Christmas pilgrimage is soon to get under way and the prospect of delayed trains or motorway tailbacks can often be anxiety-inducing.The RAC has predicted this year will be the busiest festive getaway since it began recording the data in 2013, with Christmas Eve alone set to involve 4.2m trips.But it is not only on the roads - there will also…

Continue ReadingHow to avoid delays on the big Christmas getaway

Jamie Cole ‘should be with us,’ says mum after Tenerife death

Clara BullockandMatthew Hill,SomersetBBCThe mum of an autistic man who died on holiday said she wants care companies to remember their responsibilitiesThe mother of an autistic man who died after falling from a balcony in Tenerife said she hopes his inquest will remind care companies of their responsibilities.Jamie Cole, 25, from Weston-super-Mare, was accompanied on holiday by carer Lousha Rees who worked for private care company Lifestyle, also known as Accomplish.Coroner Dr Peter Harrowing said on Monday that Ms…

Continue ReadingJamie Cole ‘should be with us,’ says mum after Tenerife death

Companies plead not guilty over man’s death at Hinkley Point C

Three companies have pleaded not guilty to health and safety offences over the death of a site supervisor at the new Hinkley Point C power station.Jason Waring, 48, from Nottinghamshire, died in a construction incident at the plant in Bridgwater, Somerset, on 13 November 2022.Mr Waring worked for one of the site's main contractors Bylor, a joint venture between two of the companies facing charges - Bouygues Travaux Publics SAS and Laing O'Rourke Delivery Limited.NNB Generation Company (HPC)…

Continue ReadingCompanies plead not guilty over man’s death at Hinkley Point C

Bristol Rabbi says Jewish community ‘in pain’ after beach attack

Marcus BootheWest of England Rob Brown, Bristol 24-7Rabbi Mende said the whole Jewish community was in shock and pain following the attack in AustraliaThe entire Jewish community has been left "in shock and pain" after two gunmen killed 15 people celebrating Hanukkah on Bondi Beach in Australia, a Bristol rabbi has said.Speaking at the city's annual Hanukkah celebration on Sunday, Rabbi Mendi said many Jewish people were fearful after the attack but far more "stood strong", united in…

Continue ReadingBristol Rabbi says Jewish community ‘in pain’ after beach attack

Coroner attacks carer’s conduct before man’s Tenerife fall death

Family handoutJamie Cole died after falling from a hotel balcony in TenerifeA coroner has criticised the conduct of a carer who argued with an autistic man hours before he fell to his death from a hotel balcony in Tenerife.Jamie Cole, 25, from Weston-super-Mare, was accompanied on holiday by carer Lousha Rees who worked for private care company Lifestyle, also known as Accomplish.Mr Cole, who had a history of suicidal thoughts, left Ms Rees after the pair argued over…

Continue ReadingCoroner attacks carer’s conduct before man’s Tenerife fall death

Work begins to upgrade Bridgwater Carnival workshop site

Carys NallyWest of England Road GremlinsBridgwater Carnival is the UK's oldest carnival and is visited by thousands of people each yearA £4.9m project to future-proof a carnival has begun after seven years of planning and fundraising.Contractors have started on the first phase of a long-term scheme to redevelop Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival's (BGFC) main workshop site off Bristol Road.Phase One will see the construction of five modern workshops with essential amenities including lighting, heating and running water. Chris…

Continue ReadingWork begins to upgrade Bridgwater Carnival workshop site