New Cheddar Strawberry Line pathway and bridge opens

Strawberry Line Facebook PageThe new bridge in Cheddar has opened up more of the Strawberry LineA new bridge and section of a walking and cycling path has opened in Somerset.The Strawberry Line link, a traffic-free pathway, has been extended from Cheddar reservoir to the Draycott Park estate.The project team said it is the fifth new bridge built on the former Great Western Railway line, which was used for transporting strawberries in the 1960s, in the last three years…

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‘First snow falls’ and ‘male firefighters celebrated’

Carley GilbertThe first snow of the season has fallen in parts of the West of England including in this street in Tunley, BathHere'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 storiesThe first snow of the season has fallen in some areas across the West. The Wilts and Glos Standard reports a yellow Met Office warning in place for ice and sleet.Tonnes…

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The Ashes: England name Shoaib Bashir in squad for first Perth Test against Australia

Although a number of England Ashes triumphs at home and abroad have been built on pace, they have never fielded as many express pace bowlers in the same team.The side that won at home in the famous series of 2005 included Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff.Raymond Illingworth's triumphant visitors to Australia in 1970-71 had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the England team that won in 1954-55 included Brian Statham and Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson.Perhaps…

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Frome battery site refusal overturned by government

Daniel MumbyLocal Demoracy Reporting ServiceDaniel MumbyThe new battery site will be built near a housing estateA battery energy storage site is to be built in a town despite being initially rejected by local councillors.Somerset Council had refused permission for Trina Solar UK to build the facility on land north of Styles Close, in Frome, Somerset, in February.Residents campaigning against the proposals, which includes storage for about 30 megawatts, had claimed the site posed a "fire risk and put…

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Somerset and Bristol climate emergency targets set to be missed

Hannah MillerBBC Bristol political reporterPA MediaThe Met Office said it expects the UK to experience drier summers on average due to climate changeCouncils in the West are not on track to meet their net zero targets, seven years after Bristol City Council became the first local authority in the country to declare a climate emergency.A report to North Somerset Council says it is "not currently meeting the trajectory for reaching net zero by 2030".While total emissions have fallen…

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Fire destroys building at Somerset Animal Farm Adventure Park

GoogleA fire has destroyed a building at Animal Farm Adventure ParkA fire has completely destroyed a building at an animal adventure park.Firefighters attended a blaze at the Animal Farm Adventure Park in Berrow, near Burnham-on-Sea at 15:37 GMT on Tuesday.Four appliances from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS) were sent to the incident.A building measuring 30m x 50m (98 ft x 164 ft) was completed destroyed by the flames, said DFRS. The cause of the fire,…

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Emergency measures activated as Met Office predicts -4C chill

Emergency action has been taken to support rough sleepers as temperatures are predicted to drop below freezing.Several councils across the west of England have activated Severe Weather Emergency Protocols (SWEP) to provide extra accommodation to people experiencing homelessness.Measures are in place in Tewkesbury and Cheltenham on Wednesday and Thursday nights, and across Wiltshire from Wednesday. SWEP is already active in Swindon and Bath & North East Somerset.Yellow severe weather warnings for snow and ice have been issued by…

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Weston-super-Mare AFC Optima stadium upgrade plan given go-ahead

A football club has been given the go-ahead to redevelop its stadium into a League two standard ground.Development on Weston-super-Mare FC's Optima Stadium, will begin in early 2027 and will include new hospitality facilities, a brand new restaurant and bar.Director at CMS Group, which is leading the project, Paul Rogers, said it marks a "major milestone" towards delivering improved facilities for supporters, players, staff, and the community.Oli Bliss, Weston-super-Mare AFC chairman, said getting to this point took "many…

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‘Cold weather preparations’ and ‘police award’

Wiltshire PoliceLuke Newton, who works with Wiltshire Police, was shortlisted for a national awardHere is 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 storiesThe Severe Weather Emergency Protocol has been activated in Swindon as temperatures are set to drop below freezing on Wednesday. It means rough sleepers will be offered accommodation, according to the Swindon Advertiser.The Weston Mercury reports that North Somerset…

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Craig & Scott Laird: Father-son duo co-managing non-league Street FC

Football is very much in the Laird family.Craig began his career working at Plymouth Argyle and has managed non-league clubs including Weston-super-Mare and Bridgwater Town.Scott, one of four brothers, had a prolific career across the EFL, most notably with Preston, who he won promotion to the Championship with in 2015.His brothers Callum and Jamie have played at non-league level, while another brother, also called Craig, has played at university level in the United States.Craig Sr and Scott are…

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Jamie Chadwick in top-level Le Mans hypercar reserve role

Chadwick's team-mates from her 2025 season for IDEC were France's Mathys Jaubert and Spain's Daniel Juncadella, and both have been selected to race in next year's hypercar alongside two more experienced drivers, Andre Lotterer and Pipo Derani.Next year Genesis are set to compete with several car manufacturers attracted back to sports cars for its flexible design rules and as a cheaper alternative to Formula 1.Ferrari won this year's championship at the Bahrain 8 Hours this month, in the…

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Military veterans sought for new coastal rowing club in Minehead

Sandra MurisonSandra Murison (far left) wants to create a "sister club" to EPIC in SomersetA military wife is looking for people connected to the armed forces to become the first members of a new amateur rowing club.Sandra Murison, 77, from Porlock, Somerset, is setting up the group in Minehead to bring together servicepeople, veterans and their families.Mrs Murison, whose late husband was a naval officer, says the new club will take to the Bristol Channel in traditional wooden…

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