BBC Somerset

Tommy Freeman, Marcus Smith and Adam Radwan – Prem talking points

Tommy Freeman, Marcus Smith and Adam Radwan – Prem talking points

There was only one place to start last week and that is where we start again.Noah Caluori's five tries on his first Prem start brought an increased level of interest to his second start for Saracens on Friday against Northampton Saints.The 19-year-old's performance against Sale Sharks saw him named in Steve Borthwick's England training squad as a development player, and he sealed his spot in the final squad on Sunday.Now a known quantity, Saints reduced their kicking to…

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Dani Gibson: Somerset all-rounder signs new deal with county

Dani Gibson: Somerset all-rounder signs new deal with county

All-rounder Dani Gibson has signed a one-year contract extension with Somerset that will keep her at the county through to the end of the 2026 season.The 24-year-old right hander played in four matches this year for Somerset in her debut season for the county and scored 103 runs with a high score of 50.In March she was ruled out for the start of the 2025 campaign after suffering a stress fracture in her back. Gibson made her full…

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M5 to close for overnight work between junction 27 and junction 25

M5 to close for overnight work between junction 27 and junction 25

A busy stretch of motorway is to close overnight this week. The M5 northbound will be closed between junction 27 at Tiverton and junction 25 at Taunton from 21:00 GMT tonight until 06:00 GMT and then again every night until Friday. The southbound carriageway will be fully closed overnight on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. "We're aware it's carnival night [on Saturday] so we have updated that to just lane closures until midnight to allow traffic to disperse," said…

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Maintaining 135-year-old Somerset graveyard ‘impossible’

Maintaining 135-year-old Somerset graveyard ‘impossible’

Eben Morrish-Croad and Chris Lockyer,SomersetBBCSome of the memorials have been laid flat to prevent injury to visitors and staffParish councillors say they are in an "impossible" situation as they try to maintain a 135-year-old graveyard.Porlock Parish Council said Hawkcombe Cemetery in west Somerset could cost up to £100,000 to repair after an inspection found 102 memorials were "unstable" and potentially hazardous.In line with national safety guidance and legal obligations, the council said it had taken the difficult but…

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CrossCountry RMT rail strike will cause ‘significant disruption’

CrossCountry RMT rail strike will cause ‘significant disruption’

Charlotte LewisWest of EnglandPA MediaRMT union members will walk out on Saturday 1 NovemberRail passengers are being warned of "significant disruption" when a second day of planned industrial action and strikes combines with planned engineering work.All CrossCountry services will be impacted as members of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) walk out on Saturday 1 November. The firm runs long-distance routes stretching from the South West of England to Scotland.The industrial action includes RMT union…

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Mexico City Grand Prix: Lando Norris delivers ‘statement win’

Mexico City Grand Prix: Lando Norris delivers ‘statement win’

Norris admitted after the race in Mexico that there had been times earlier this year when he "certainly did" doubt himself."When the car was winning, and Oscar was winning, the last thing I could do was use the excuse that my car wasn't good enough," he said."I wasn't getting to grips and finding a way to make it work and I'm finding a better way to make it work now, so it's as simple as that."It is now…

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Somerset in Pictures: Thieving seagulls and pumpkins

Somerset in Pictures: Thieving seagulls and pumpkins

Autumn blossoms beautifully across the county this week, with nature turning from green, to yellow to amber.Pumpkin picking, spectacular murals and a daring rescue await...A mural featuring seagull swooping down and pinching chips was painted in Taunton on the side of a chip shop as the third and final artwork in a project to bring "colour and interest" to the area.AFRSPinky the horse was saved from a water-filled ditch in Yatton by Avon Fire and Rescue Service.It took…

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Heavy M4 traffic on second day of closure

Heavy M4 traffic on second day of closure

A motorway closure is causing long queues for the second day in a row.The M4 is shut between junctions 18 (for Bath) and 19 (for the M32 and Bristol) while National Highways engineers carry out essential works on the new A432 Badminton Road Bridge.Half hour delays are reported at either end of the closure - with eastbound traffic bunching up as far as junction 20. The A46 is also badly affected between the A420 and the M4.The closure…

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Fire service issues warning ahead of Halloween

Fire service issues warning ahead of Halloween

Householders are being encouraged to swap real candles for battery-powered alternatives this Halloween.Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said around one in eight fires began with naked flames such as candles, cigarettes and matches.The fire service said Halloween was one of the highest-risk times of year for these incidents.Kate Saint, head of prevention at the fire service, said: "Switching from traditional candles to battery-operated ones is a simple step that can help decorations and costumes from catching…

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Owner of Nailsea’s oldest shop celebrates 100th birthday

Owner of Nailsea’s oldest shop celebrates 100th birthday

Jonathan Holmes,Bristol and Liam McGuinn,in NailseaBBCJohn Brown has run the shop since 1957The owner of a town's oldest shop is celebrating his 100th birthday.John Brown, owner of John Brown Hardware, built and then opened his shop in Nailsea, North Somerset, in September 1957 with his father.Mr Brown regularly worked in the shop until the age of 98, and still oversees the business. He said he still felt like a "youngster at heart" and was "proud and honoured" to…

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