‘Santa O’Clock’ and ‘first padel championships’

Rise ProductionsChristmas celebrations have been taking place across the West Country as we officially enter December.Festive events have been staged across the county, with people of all ages enjoying seasonal fun. But it is not all about Christmas - the area also played host to the inaugural padel championships.Here is a selection of pictures from the region in our weekly round-up.BristolRise ProductionsHo Ho Ho: Santa O'Clock is the first grotto the Cabot Circus shopping centre is hosting since…

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Blaze that gutted Frome flats was ‘started accidentally’

A fire that gutted part of a block of flats started accidentally, firefighters have confirmed. Residents of nine flats have been forced to move into hotels after the blaze on Marigold Road, Frome, on Wednesday. No one was seriously injured but the building was extensively damaged with part of the roof collapsing. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service confirmed on Saturday the blaze had been started accidentally.Selwood Housing, which own the flats, said it was "hard to…

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Weather warning issued by Met Office

Sarah TurnnidgeWest of England Getty ImagesSome exposed areas could see half their average December rain fall in just one day Areas of England and Wales have been warned of potential flooding and travel disruption caused by heavy rain. The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for south west England and south Wales earlier, which will be in place from 18:00 GMT on Monday to 18:00 on Tuesday. The forecaster said an area of low pressure approaching the…

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Runner’s 12 marathons after family deaths from pancreatic cancer

Beth CruseWest of EnglandPeter DunlopPeter Dunlop (L) set out on a mammoth challenge after losing his mum to pancreatic cancerA man running 12 marathons in memory of his mum who died from pancreatic cancer said his uncle's sudden death from the same disease "only spurred me on".Peter Dunlop, 40, from Taunton in Somerset, set out to run a marathon each month this year to symbolise the time he had with his mum, Jane, 63, after her diagnosis. Halfway…

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‘Awful situation’ as people unable to return home after fire

Georgia Eadie,West of EnglandandMel Everett,BBC SomersetBBCAn investigation is under way into the cause of a fire at a block of flats on WednesdayResidents say they feel "disheartened" that they may not be able to return home for Christmas after a fire ripped through a block of flats.People living in nine flats have been moved into temporary accommodation in hotels following the blaze on Marigold Road in Frome on Wednesday night.No one was seriously injured and an investigation into…

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University of Plymouth building evacuated after chemical leak

A university building has been evacuated after a chemical leak, firefighters have said.Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said eight fire engines were at the scene at the University of Plymouth's Davy Building, along with some specialist appliances.It said everyone had been accounted for. Devon and Cornwall Police said it was assisting the fire service with traffic management. The BBC has asked the university for comment. Source link

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Bristol Airport parking crackdown over unofficial sites

Jasmine Ketibuah-FoleyBristolAvon and Somerset PolicePolice targeted rogue parking companies in the countryside near Bristol AirportA police operation targeting rogue airport parking companies has been carried out after complaints of cars being damaged or having unexplained additional mileage.The action, led by officers covering Bristol Airport, targeted unofficial companies in North Somerset.Avon and Somerset Police said officers went to three car parks and found no staff there, with insecure vehicles and a caravan being used as offices with what appeared…

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Four Poundland stores to close in Bristol and Somerset

Four Poundland branches in Bristol and Somerset will be closing amid financial problems at the budget chain.In June, Poundland was bought for £1 by investment company Gordon Brothers, which said it needed to shut about 100 shops to stop the retailer going into administration. The firm said it would try to negotiate cheaper rents and close branches where this could not be agreed.Branches in Portishead and Weston-super-Mare will close on Christmas Eve, while the Yeovil Middle Street and…

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Bus services to get £139m funding boost

Hundreds of millions of pounds of government funding is to be spent on supporting bus services in the South and West of England.The Department for Transport (DfT) said the money, to be rolled out between 2026 and 2029, would help local travel become more reliable. Councils across the two regions will get a combined £139m in funding to help improve both the bus services themselves, as well as network infrastructure. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said a total of…

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Need To Know Somerset – Frome fire ripped through block of flats

Available for over a yearFire crews were called to the property on the evening of Wednesday the 3rd of December. Nine people have been moved into temporary accommodation in hotels due to extensive fire, smoke and water damage to the building. Image credit: Chloe RaeburnProgramme WebsiteShow less Source link

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Man, 18, hit by car on motorway was Tasered before death

National HighwaysLogan Smith, 18, died after being hit by a car on the M5 in North Somerset on SundayAn 18-year-old who got out of an ambulance on a motorway was Tasered by police before he was hit by a car and died, the police watchdog has said.Logan Smith, from Weston-super-Mare, died on the M5 in North Somerset late on Sunday evening. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said he was being taken to hospital when concerned paramedics…

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Shane Burger: Somerset batting coach to leave club

Somerset batting coach Shane Burger is to leave the club.The 43-year-old, who was also an assistant coach at Taunton, had been with the club since January 2023 when he left his role as Scotland head coach.Burger had been contracted through to the end of 2026, but will leave to take up "new opportunity within the English domestic game"."We've achieved so much in the last three years," he told the club website."There's been growth in the squad and we've…

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