county news

Biddisham’s 600-year-old church bells returned after repairs

Biddisham’s 600-year-old church bells returned after repairs

Scott EllisBBC News, West of EnglandBBCIsaac O'Shea from O'Shea Engineering described the restoration project as "extremely rewarding"A set of 600-year-old church bells have been restored after they were found to be "falling apart".When the bells at St John's Church in Biddisham, near Axbridge in Somerset, were dusted off for the King's Coronation in 2023, it was discovered they were in a poor state.Isaac O'Shea, from Gloucestershire, was tasked with repairing the bells in June. He said: "All the…

Continue ReadingBiddisham’s 600-year-old church bells returned after repairs

Drivers sought after death of motorcyclist, 17, in Poole

Drivers sought after death of motorcyclist, 17, in Poole

The drivers of three cars and a van are being urged to come forward to police after a 17-year-old motorcyclist died following a crash with a lorry.The crash, involving a DAF truck and a silver motorcycle, happened on the Safety Drive roundabout in Poole on Friday at about 17:00 GMT. The rider of the motorcycle, a 17-year-old boy from North Dorset died at the scene. The truck driver was uninjured.Dorset Police said it believed the drivers of a…

Continue ReadingDrivers sought after death of motorcyclist, 17, in Poole

Serious collision closes M5 near Bristol in both directions

Serious collision closes M5 near Bristol in both directions

A major route is closed in both directions following a "serious collision" in the early hours of the morning, police said.The M5 is shut between junctions 20 for Clevedon and 21 for Weston-super-Mare, according to Avon and Somerset Police. The motorway has been closed in both directions since 02:00 GMT and National Highways say the road is not expected to reopen until about 10:30 GMT.Diversions are in place but traffic monitoring site, INRIX, are reporting the routes are…

Continue ReadingSerious collision closes M5 near Bristol in both directions

New pool in Minehead a step closer after government funding

New pool in Minehead a step closer after government funding

A new community swimming pool in Somerset is another step closer to reality, after the county received a government grant for projects which will improve inactivity.Around £230,000 will be spent along the Somerset coast, between Porlock and Burnham-on-Sea, including on the new facility in Minehead.The Somerset Active Sports Partnership (SASP) will pay for a feasibility report into a new swimming pool in West Somerset, as well as spreading the money among community groups.The organisation's chief executive officer Jane…

Continue ReadingNew pool in Minehead a step closer after government funding

Dawn Sturgess inquiry and train strike planned

Dawn Sturgess inquiry and train strike planned

BBCIt's a busy week of news coming up in the West of England. We take a look at what you can expect to read about on the BBC News website in the next seven days.Airport meetingTuesday: A public meeting is being held over plans for Bristol Airport to extend its runway - meaning it would take over a part of nearby Felton Common.The airport wants a longer runway to accommodate long-haul flights.Airport bosses say they realise how important…

Continue ReadingDawn Sturgess inquiry and train strike planned

Exeter City captain blending firefighting with football

Exeter City captain blending firefighting with football

BBCBow Jackson says the two jobs complement each otherA professional footballer says her other job as a firefighter provides good preparation for what happens on the pitch.Exeter City captain Bow Jackson has worked with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service for the last seven years.Since joining the Grecians in 2022 she has helped the club gain promotion to the third tier of the women's game.Speaking about her two contrasting roles she said: "I'm probably exposed to pressures…

Continue ReadingExeter City captain blending firefighting with football

‘Commitment’ to keep Devon’s libraries open

‘Commitment’ to keep Devon’s libraries open

BBCA consultation from Devon County Council to consider the future usage of libraries is set to run until 22 FebruaryThere are no plans to close libraries as "mounting financial pressures" are dealt with, council bosses have said.Devon County Council (DCC) has launched a consultation asking for views about the future of the 50 libraries run on its behalf by the Libraries Unlimited charity.Proposals include reducing and standardising opening hours, using technology to allow registered users to enter sites…

Continue Reading‘Commitment’ to keep Devon’s libraries open

Cornwall Council sets provisional date to fell lime trees

Cornwall Council sets provisional date to fell lime trees

BBCProtests have previously disrupted work to remove the lime treesThree mature lime trees are due to be cut down despite community objections, a council has said.Cornwall Council said work to remove the trees on Trelawney Road in Falmouth would provisionally begin on 8 December after previous attempts to cut down the trees were delayed by protests.The authority said it was "legally required" to remove the trees and it would replace them with four new ones.Campaigners from Stop the…

Continue ReadingCornwall Council sets provisional date to fell lime trees

‘Staggering’ numbers of people sleeping rough in Cornwall

‘Staggering’ numbers of people sleeping rough in Cornwall

Anna VarleSouth West home and social affairs correspondentBBCA homeless charity in Cornwall has said the number of people accessing its services is the highest it has ever seenA homeless charity has said the number of people accessing its services is the highest it has ever been.St Petrocs said it had supported 153 people who were sleeping on Cornwall's streets in October - a 35% increase on the same month in 2024.The charity has launched its winter campaign early…

Continue Reading‘Staggering’ numbers of people sleeping rough in Cornwall

Headteachers welcome move to teach financial literacy in schools

Headteachers welcome move to teach financial literacy in schools

Tristan PascoeDorset political reporterBBCChildren at Queen's Park Academy School in Bournemouth already learn about personal financeAll primary and secondary school pupils in the south are set to be taught about financial matters under changes to the national curriculum.Children will have lessons in budgets, money management, mortgages and compound interest.The new curriculum is expected to be ready in 2028.Some teachers have warned that the changes will require training and support for staff before being implemented.But one headteacher told BBC…

Continue ReadingHeadteachers welcome move to teach financial literacy in schools

Designer homes plan published for fire-hit Parnham estate

Designer homes plan published for fire-hit Parnham estate

Marcus WhiteSouth of EnglandParnham EstateParnham House was largely destroyed by a fire in 2017A designer housing estate with its own natural outdoor swimming pool and padel court could be built to fund repairs to a fire-hit stately home.Dorset Council has published a planning application for Grade I listed Parnham House, near Beaminster, Dorset, which was gutted in a suspected arson attack in 2017.Former rave promoter James Perkins, who bought the property in 2020, wants to build 82 "quality"…

Continue ReadingDesigner homes plan published for fire-hit Parnham estate

Hundreds dress as elves in Weymouth world record attempt

Hundreds dress as elves in Weymouth world record attempt

Sophie CridlandSouth of EnglandBBCA glitter of Christmas elves appeared in Weymouth for the world record attemptHundreds of people took to the streets with pointy ears, wearing red and green, in an attempt to break the world record for the largest gathering of people dressed as elves.The entourage of elves paraded through Weymouth on Saturday, as they tried to beat Thailand, the current holders of the festive title.Some travelled from as far as Wales, Winchester and Yeovil to show…

Continue ReadingHundreds dress as elves in Weymouth world record attempt