BBC Somerset

‘Multiple police failings’ in murder investigation, watchdog rules

‘Multiple police failings’ in murder investigation, watchdog rules

Leigh BoobyerWest of EnglandBBCKelly Faiers, 61, from Weston-super-Mare was found "critically ill" before dying in MineheadA police force provided an "unacceptable" level of service to the family of a woman thought to have been killed by her sex offender partner, a watchdog has ruled.Kelly Faiers, 61, died at Richard Scatchard's home in Minehead, Somerset, on October 15 2023. Officers attended the scene and spoke to Scatchard, who had previously been convicted of sexual offences in which he administered…

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A39 closed in West Somerset due to lorry fuel spillage

A39 closed in West Somerset due to lorry fuel spillage

A major A-road has been closed due to a lorry fuel spillage, after a collision involving a van and a HGV.It happened on the A39 in west Somerset, between Washford and Bilbrook at around 07:15 BST, with police saying the road closure is causing long delays for surrounding routes.A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: "The collision has resulted in a substantial amount of fuel to leak from the lorry. One occupant of the van suffered minor…

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Marvin Brown fundraiser tops £45k for former Bristol City player

Marvin Brown fundraiser tops £45k for former Bristol City player

Marie IndgeBBC Radio WiltshireAlexis BrownMarvin Brown is being treated at home, with wife Alexis and his two daughters at his sideA fundraiser has raised upwards of £45,000 in support of a former footballer who is receiving end-of-life care.Marvin Brown holds the record for being Bristol City's youngest player. After making his debut at 16 in 1999, he went on to play for clubs such as Cheltenham Town, Yeovil, Weston-super-Mare and Chippenham.Based in Calne, Wiltshire, Mr Brown is being…

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Chip-stealing seagulls mural part of mission to transform town

Chip-stealing seagulls mural part of mission to transform town

A mural featuring seagull swooping down and pinching chips has been unveiled in a town centre.It is the third and final artwork for a project commissioned to bring "colour and interest' to venues near St James' Street, which are mostly independent.Traders raised £6,500 to bring the creations to the Independent Quarter's walls, with artist Sam Gaden from Aerosol Art being tasked with the designs.He said chip-pinching seagulls was the "perfect" thing to paint on the side of a…

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Somerset villagers raising £70,000 to fight plan for 100 homes

Somerset villagers raising £70,000 to fight plan for 100 homes

Villagers are trying to raise £70,000 to pay for a judicial review of a council's decision to approve 100 new homes. Locals in Keinton Mandeville, south Somerset, say it is being "overwhelmed by cumulative housing developments". Residents' action group Shock has voiced concerns about the impact the latest development could have on local infrastructure and community life.The developer, Keinton Mandeville LVA, previously said 35 of the homes would be designated as affordable. It has also promised to provide…

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Horse rescued in Yatton after becoming ‘entangled’ in water-filled ditch

Horse rescued in Yatton after becoming ‘entangled’ in water-filled ditch

A horse is back in the care of its owner after it was rescued from a water-filled ditch.It took firefighters from Avon Fire and Rescue Service about two hours to free Pinky the horse from the ditch in Yatton, North Somerset.Crews from Clevedon and Bedminster attended after the incident was reported at 17:00 BST on Friday.A fire service spokesperson said they used animal and water rescue equipment and a farmer's telehandler to free Pinky."Pinky had also become entangled…

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New Bridgwater one-way system putting shoppers off, MP says

New Bridgwater one-way system putting shoppers off, MP says

BBCThe new one-way system affects Salmon Parade and East Quay in BridgwaterLuke KnightIn Bridgwater andChris LockyerSomersetA new one-way system in Bridgwater town centre is "clogging up roads around town", the local MP has said.As part of the Celebration Mile works, East Quay and Salmon Parade have been made one-way to traffic.Ashley Fox, the Conservative MP for Bridgwater, said Somerset Council needs to go "back to the drawing board", adding he believes shoppers are avoiding the area as a…

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Charlie Dean: Somerset all-rounder signs Somerset Women contract extension

Charlie Dean: Somerset all-rounder signs Somerset Women contract extension

England all-rounder Charlie Dean has signed a two-year contract extension with Somerset.The 24-year-old spinner, who is currently on international duty with England at the World Cup in India, came through the Hampshire set-up and joined Somerset last November following a seven-season stint with Southern Vipers.Dean featured in 12 matches across the formats for Trevor Griffin's side this summer, scoring 180 runs and claiming 14 wickets. Her new deal will see her remain with Somerset through to the conclusion…

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Doubt over future of the West of England’s dial-a-ride service

Doubt over future of the West of England’s dial-a-ride service

There are doubts about the future of a bookable minibus service after it emerged trips have been costing up to £50 a passenger.Westlink was introduced in 2023 by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) after several regular bus routes were lost in the area.The scheme has government funding until March, but will have to pay for itself for it to continue after that.WECA mayor, Helen Godwin, said her team are "evaluating how best to keep people connected,…

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Community health centre to open in Glastonbury after £2.2m revamp

Community health centre to open in Glastonbury after £2.2m revamp

Eben Morrish-CroadSomersetConor Ogilvie-DavidsonThe centre is expected to deliver a wide range of services that will contribute towards delivering care in the communityA Grade-II listed building is set to open as a health and wellbeing centre next month after a £2.2m renovation project.St Dunstan's House in Glastonbury will provide a venue for community activities including talking and pain cafes, healthy lifestyle courses, and health and wellbeing sessions for current and former members of the armed forces.It will also host…

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Bristol graduates raise £1m for their women’s urinals start-up

Bristol graduates raise £1m for their women’s urinals start-up

PAHazel McShane (left) and Amber Probyn co-founded the firm PeequalTwo businesswomen who co-founded a women's urinals company hope to go global after raising nearly £1m in investment.Amber Probyn, 27, and Hazel McShane, 29, say the urinals made by Peequal, for use at festivals, are three times quicker to use than portable toilets.The Bristol University graduates will use the funding to manufacture the next-generation urinals, which they hope to send to events in Europe, the US and Australia.Ms McShane…

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