BBC Somerset

A new community-led arts and music festival has been granted a licence by the council.Show of Hands is scheduled to take place in Bruton, Somerset, on the May Bank Holiday weekend, with a capacity of 2,500 people.The licence was granted despite concerns about noise levels and alcohol consumption that were raised during a Somerset Council licensing committee meeting on Wednesday.However, Matthew Phipps, representing the festival, said at the meeting: "We can develop this event confident in the knowledge…

Clara Bullock,West of England and Chris Lockyer,in WatchetBBCLiz Elmont said taking pictures for BBC Weather Watchers helped her get over her strokeA woman who struggled to leave the house after she had a stroke has said taking weather photos got her out of a "really dark place". Liz Elmont, from Watchet in Somerset, suffered a stroke in 2021 and said she was left housebound, and thought she would never be able to take photos again."One day, I thought…

Family handoutPaul Wells was killed by his neighbour in Highbridge, Somerset, in 2020A paramedic was concerned about his colleague's safety during a visit to the house of a man who went on to kill his neighbour the same day, an inquest has heard.Richard Matthews, who had severe mental health problems, admitted fatally stabbing his neighbour Paul Wells in Highbridge, Somerset, on 25 June 2020.Andrew Richardson, an operational officer at South Western Ambulance Service, told the inquest that he…

Chloe HarcombeWest of EnglandBBCThe A396 was closed on Wednesday while police carried out a partial reconstruction of a fatal coach crashPolice investigating a fatal school coach crash have conducted a partial reconstruction to help them work out the circumstances which led to the incident.Oliver Price, 10, died of a head injury when a coach carrying Minehead Middle School pupils left the A396 near Wheddon Cross in Somerset and slid down a 6m (20ft) slope on 17 July.Avon and…

BBCStudents were tasked with creating a shoe for 14-15 year-oldsMore than 100 students have taken part in a new work experience project where they create their own shoe design for a world renowned shoemaker.The scheme, in Yeovil, Somerset, is different to the normal type of work experience where one student usually shadows an employer.Year 11 students from Preston School, Castle School and Westfield Academy worked in teams to reimagine Somerset shoemakers Clarks, for a new generation of 14…

Alexandra BassinghamWest of EnglandBBCHundreds of handmade poppies were attached to a fence overlooking Clevedon's pier last yearMilitary personnel will be honoured during Remembrance services across the West Country this weekend.Thousands of people are expected to attend parades ahead of a two-minute silence held at 11:00 GMT on Sunday 9 November. There will also be wreath-laying at cenotaphs and memorials. Events are being held across Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire, with residents in towns and villages attending.Road closures will…

Three more houses are to be adapted into "family-style" children's homes under a £3m plan.Each home will be co-designed by young people with care experience and will be run under Somerset Council's Homes and Horizons scheme, which already has 16 children living in eight houses.Council leaders said the new houses will allow more children in care to move back to their home county.A council report stated that children already living in the homes have "improved engagement in education…