Family pictureGwen Farler, 84, and her late husband had to take out a of loan of £5,000 in 2015 to pay for a custom-made bedHere'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 storiesOur top three from yesterdayWhat to watch on social media Source link
Bulldog Film DistributionUnmoored was set on Exmoor and used local crews to film itFilms and television productions, including The Salt Path and 28 Years Later, have helped boost Somerset's economy with millions of pounds worth of investment. Companies who chose Somerset as the base for their work have contributed around £4.2m to the economy according to the local council. Councillor Mike Rigby, who is the lead for economic development, said the success is down to Somerset's various coastal,…
Charlie TaylorBBC Radio Somerset andChris LockyerSomersetBBCEvery autumn, processions of illuminated carts pass through ChardOrganisers of a popular carnival have agreed to discuss how to make the event more accessible with two parents of children with additional needs.Every autumn, processions of illuminated carts pass through Chard as part of the South Somerset Carnival Circuit. The events are often noisy and bright, meaning those with sensory processing disorders can find the experience overwhelming.Belinda and Livvy, from Chard, are calling for…
Chloe HarcombeWest of EnglandGoogleThe woman was found in Victoria Park in a distressed state on Saturday, police saidA 29-year-old man has appeared in court accused of raping a woman in a park. Manoj Chinthathira appeared at North Somerset Courthouse earlier charged with two counts of rape and one count of strangulation after the woman was allegedly raped in Victoria Park, Taunton, on Saturday.Avon and Somerset Police said members of the public found the woman in the park in…
Cheryl DennisSomerset, Wellington andChris LockyerSomersetBBCHeather Bubb said having a new NHS service was "wonderful"A woman whose long-term dentist went private said it is "wonderful" that a new NHS surgery has opened in her town.Heather Bubb, 77, had been with her dentist in Wellington in Somerset for more than 25 years before it suddenly went private, leaving her facing a £5,500 bill she could not afford in 2023.The new dental surgery on an industrial estate is the first NHS…
The Mobility Furniture Company's former owner has been jailed. Source link
Adam PostansLocal Democracy reporterAvon Fire and Rescue ServiceAvon Fire and Rescue said it is often using specialist equipment to help ambulance crews move patientsThe number of obese people being rescued by one fire service has increased by nearly 50 per cent in the last three years, according to new figures.Avon Fire and Rescue Service, which covers Bristol, Bath, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, is now carrying out an average of nine "bariatric rescues" a month compared to six…
Furniture 'crooks' scammed families out of £1,000sFamilies have been sharing their anguish after "crooks" working at a mobility furniture firm persuaded them to spend thousands of pounds.Gwen Farler, 84, from near Bridgwater in Somerset, said she was "bullied by crooks" into buying a £5,000 bed they falsely claimed was custom-made to suit her sick husband's needs.She said: "I often slept on the sofa in the lounge as the bed they sold us was awful. The stress kept me…
Weston-super-Mare are yet to concede at home across seven matches and more than 10 and a half hours in all competitions this season, including a 1-0 final qualifying round victory over seventh-tier Needham Market on Saturday in new boss Scott Rogers' first match in charge."Our home defensive record has been impeccable so far," said Dawes, speaking after players and fans watched the televised first round draw at the club's 3,500-capacity Optima Stadium."Hopefully, we can keep it intact between…
Maternity and paediatric units which were closed over safety fears have been given a reopening date, subject to meeting specific criteria.The service at Yeovil District Hospital (YDH) was closed on 19 May for an intial period of six months, following a Care Quality Commission (CQC) report which rated the paediatric service inadequate.Somerset NHS Foundation Trust said it would be reopening both units on 21 April 2026 and Peter Lewis, the chief executive said he hoped the update would…
Sammy JenkinsWest of England andMatty EdwardsBristolBBCWork to improve the surface of walkways is expected to take six monthsSwimmers say they will miss using a marine lake while it is closed for a £1m upgrade, as "cold water brings you alive".Work being carried out at Weston-super-Mare's seawater pool includes the construction of more public toilets and resurfacing steps and ramps.The repairs mean the lake will be shut until April 2026, but the work will safeguard the pool's future, council…
charlessainsburyplaice.co.ukFormer fashion designer Roger Saul now farms walnuts in Somerset with wife MontyA fashion designer who turned his hand to walnut farming has boasted a bumper crop of the nut this year.Roger Saul, who founded handbag company Mulberry, now owns Sharpham Park in Somerset - a walnut farm.Mr Saul has said his crop this year is three times the size of any other year, and believes more support is needed to support British growers.But despite the burgeoning harvest…