BBC Somerset

Beth CruseandRoss Pollard,West of EnglandAdela MeiAdela Mei enjoys riding up the Cheddar Gorge on her motorbike on Christmas dayFor many, Christmas means family gatherings, gifts under the tree and plates piled high with festive food. But for some, the day looks very different – and that is exactly how they want it. Across the West Country, people are stepping away from tradition and creating their own ways to spend 25 December.Each year on Christmas Day, Adela Mei, 51,…

Sophia AllsoppWest of England Getty ImagesBin collections across the region will change over Christmas and the New Year because of bank holidaysResidents have been warned that bin collections days will change over the festive period.Across the west of England, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day collections will not take place.Residents have been urged to check their postcode-based collection calendar and to use recycling and food waste collections as much as possible during the festive period.Below is…

A council is set to spend more than £600,000 on a cycle link ahead of the planned construction of a new train station.Wellington's new railway station is anticipated to cost up to £20m and will be delivered north of the Lidl Supermarket, with access being provided through a new 161-home development.Somerset Council has said it will spend as much as £607,000 over the coming months to ensure a new cycle link improves access between the future station and…

Claire Carter,BBC Radio BristolandKirsten Robertson,West of EnglandRussell Howard on growing up in the West"The south-west just has a warmth to it; a twinkle, a bit of lunacy."Russell Howard is proud of his Somerset roots. The combination of "madness" and "warmth" in his upbringing helped him take his first steps down the winding road of stand-up.Born in Bath and raised in Radstock, the comedian - who later moved to Bristol - still has family based in Midsomer Norton, Radstock…

Rachel Candlin,West of EnglandandAndy Bennett,BBC Radio SomersetGoogleThe Cat Head Inn closed in May and is currently on the marketA group of villagers are trying to buy their local pub after it closed suddenly.Chiselborough had a pub in one form or another for 400 years - until The Cat Head closed in May. Its owners said the "rising costs of running a business in today's economy" had made it "impossible" to continue.The Somerset pub is now on the market…

Bristol BearsExcitement has been growing across the West this week as Christmas draws closer and many people have been getting into the festive spirit at events across the region.Bristol Bears have been spreading some seasonal cheer by visiting 15 different charities, schools and care settings to lend a hand and deliver presents.Here is our weekly round-up of photographs from across the region.BristolBristol BearsGiving Back Day: More than 60 players and staff from Bristol Bears took part in what…

Independent businesses have welcomed a town council's decision to foot the bill for parking charges for central car parks in the run-up to Christmas.Taunton Town Council is paying Somerset Council a fee so that people can use 10 of their car parks free of charge for the final Saturdays before Christmas.The move is part of an effort to support local shops and boost the festive atmosphere in the town and has been welcomed by business owners."It's a nice…