Firms ordered to reduce forever chemicals in drinking water for 6m people

Esme Stallard,Climate and science reporter, BBC News and Becky Dale and Wesley Stephenson,Senior data journalists, BBC VerifyGetty ImagesWater companies have been ordered to tackle potentially harmful levels of so-called forever chemicals in drinking water sources for more than six million people, the BBC can reveal.Forever chemicals, or PFAS, are a group of thousands of substances used in everyday products. They are persistent pollutants which build up in the environment, and a small number have been linked to increased…

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Somerset charity responding to Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica

School In A BagAround 400 bags have been sent out to JamaicaA charity based out of a farm in Somerset is sending out humanitarian support in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.School In A Bag in Chilthorne Domer has been supporting aid campaigns for 15 years, and has operated in 61 different countries in that time.Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica last week, before making its way across the Caribbean to Haiti and Cuba, claiming at least 49 lives in its…

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NHS expands use of AI to stop ‘quiet killer’ liver disease

Getty ImagesA project using AI to discover liver disease early is being expanded across the South WestA programme using artificial intelligence (AI) to spot patients at risk of liver disease is being rolled out across the South West of England.The £1.4m Somerset NHS Foundation Trust project used AI to analyse the blood of 700,000 people over the age of 18 for markers of liver disease, and identified about 700 patients with problems.The programme has now received funding from…

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Maidenbrook memorial to servicemen and women unveiled

A war memorial to servicemen and women, past and present, has been unveiled.A headstone has been carved and put in place in Maidenbrook Country Park in Taunton to be used as a place for quiet reflection.It has been made to replicate the size and style of the thousands of Commonwealth war graves around the country. Terry Williams from the Somerset Poppy of Honour Memorial Group, who led the project, said: "It's for those who leave, never to return…

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Man, 24, sentenced for affray during Bristol disorder

A man has been sentenced for affray committed during a violent disorder in Bristol city centre.Jacob Dolphin, 24, of Weston-super-Mare, admitted the offence and was given an 18-month community order and a fine at Bristol Crown Court on 23 October.He was seen kicking out at officers on five occasions and threw an object outside Bridewell Police Station during the incident on 3 August 2024.Judge Peter Blair described the violence during the riot as some of the worst seen…

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Lights and music fill streets for historic Bridgwater Carnival

Thousands of people lined the streets of a Somerset town for a dazzling night of light and colour. The Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival, which has been running since 1847, saw illuminated carts and costumed performers fill the streets on Saturday evening.More than 1,000 people performed in the procession, bringing musicals and dance to life under the night sky.Bridgwater is the first of eight carnivals on the Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival circuit. Source link

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Carnival lights and Punkie night

BBCThousands of people descended on Bridgwater for the annual carnivalThe spooky season has come to a head this week, with Halloween celebrations across the county.Somerset saw care homes give away pumpkins and villages celebrate unique traditions.And thousands descended on Bridgwater for the annual Guy Fawkes Carnival, which featured colourful displays and carnival dancers.That and more can be seen in our weekly picture roundup.Shine bright: Around 150,000 people descended on Bridgwater on Saturday night to watch the dazzling lights…

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Wales rugby: Bath prop Archie Griffin hopes he can make three his magic number

Wales face Argentina next Sunday before further Tests against Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.They have a new head coach in Steve Tandy at the helm as he aims to lift Wales up from their current world ranking of 12th.Griffin is hoping a new era can emerge and Wales can once more connect with its fans. "We are looking for three words to describe us - tough, brave and smart," said Griffin."Success would be that connection with the…

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Royal United Hospitals Bath in stroke treatment drug trials

Researchers are looking for volunteers to take part in a study to see if two medications could help prevent recurrent strokes and their negative impact on cognitive function.Royal United Hospitals Bath (RUH Bath) has launched a recruitment drive for isosorbide mononitrate and cilostazol trials – oral medication which may help patients who have had an ischaemic or lacunar stroke caused by small vessel disease. An ischaemic stroke happens when a blockage cuts off the blood supply to part…

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‘Spooky tales’ and a ‘tiger’s new home’ in Bristol

Here is our weekly roundup of stories from across local websites in the West of England.We have a daily roundup as well. Make sure you look out for it on the website and the local section of the BBC News app.Two police forces in the West of England have been told by government inspectors that it needs to make improvements. Both the Wiltshire Times and Bristol Live published the findings from reports into Wiltshire Police and Avon and…

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Football match in aid of girl’s walking device

Jasmine Ketibuah-FoleyBristolKirstyThe charity football match will help raise money for Edith who has TB-CK SyndromeA charity football match has been organised to raise money for a specialised device which helps a girl with a rare brain condition to stand.The free match, at Bristol Manor Farm in Shirehampton on Sunday, will feature former Bristol City and Bristol Rovers players and aims to fund a new Innowalk for 11-year-old Edith who has TB-CK Syndrome.She is unable to stand or walk…

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Weston-super-Mare fish and chip shop removes ‘weapon’ benches

John WimperisLocal Democracy Reporting ServiceJohn WimperisThe seating outside the fish and chip shop on council property has been removedPicnic benches outside a seafront fish and chip shop that police warned could be "used as weapons" by passers-by have been removed from the area.Michelle Michael, who owns the Waterfront Fish Bar as well as the Grand Pier, in Weston-super-Mare, was told by police to remove the blue picnic tables.At a licensing review hearing at North Somerset Council on 2…

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