somerset

Three new NHS dental practices offering a combined 20,000 patient places are opening in a county to help tackle a lack of dental care.Two new dental practices which opened in Chard and Wellington in Somerset will be followed by a third due to open in Crewkerne in January.This marks the first large-scale procurement of NHS dental services in the county since local NHS commissioners took over responsibility for dentistry from NHS England in April 2023.Among the first patients…

James DiamondWest of EnglandGetty ImagesJames Purefoy says he feels "a weight lift from his shoulders" when he returns to SomersetActor James Purefoy says a tour of village halls across his home county is his way of "giving back" to where he grew up.Purefoy, 61, grew up in Martock in Somerset and is in the middle of a tour across the county which involves him answering questions about his life and career, which includes film and TV series including…

BBCChristmas markets are opening up all around the West The Christmas countdown has begun and a range of festive events have been planned to keep you occupied for the merry season. Christmas can get expensive, so here is a list of all the free events to keep the cheer alive this year.Bristol Cathedral will host a Advent Procession this yearBristolThere are numerous free and affordable events for families happening in Bristol.Seasonal Children's Cinema: City Farm Cafe will host…

There are no immediate plans to shut a recycling centre, which two years ago was earmarked for closure in a cost-saving measure.Somerset Council published plans in January 2024 to shut five of the county's 16 recycling centres, including one in Cheddar, in a bid to save £963,000.Somerset Council has now confirmed Cheddar's recycling centre will remain open with its current hours for the foreseeable future.Councillor Richard Wilkins, lead for waste services, said: "If any closure is proposed, it…

Residents have until New Year's Eve to give their views on how one of their county's landscapes should be managed over the next five years.The Quantock Hills National Landscape Partnership in Somerset has published its draft management plan, laying out how the area will be preserved and improved up to 2031.The plan includes measures to protect and conserve historic man-made elements.Partnership chair Hugh Warmington said: "This is an important moment for the communities of the Quantock Hills and…

A council is planning to increase council tax bills for residents as it attempts to balance its books. Somerset Council is proposing raising its share of the precept by at least 4.99% next year and is considering asking permission from the government to go higher. The council's budget plans for the next financial year warn that, even with a proposed council tax rise, the authority is facing a funding gap of £73m - which it said it was…

Children will be able to use buses for free again after a successful summer scheme saw more than 900,000 young people take part. The summer holiday project led to thousands of free journeys being taken every week in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset.Kids Go Free will start up again over the Christmas holidays for children under 16 from 20 December to 4 January 2026.Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:…

Ruth BradleyPolitics reporter, in TauntonBBCCars will be able to park for free on Sundays in some parts of SomersetProposed Sunday parking charges branded a "big mistake" by shopkeepers have been voted down by councillors.Charges were due to be introduced at Somerset Council car parks on Sundays in Taunton, Yeovil and Bridgwater, but the plans faced strong opposition during a public consultation, including some concern from shopkeepers and church leaders.Somerset Council initially proposed changes due to different rates currently…

Three rural schools have recorded a virtual Christmas celebration because of a rise in transport costs.The pupils would normally come together to celebrate in Somerset but school leaders say doing so now would cost them "thousands", so they have recorded three videos that will be edited into one to celebrate.Hannah Maggs, the executive headteacher at Cameley Primary School in Temple Cloud, said their alternative was a "lovely way" to "teach the Christmas story".The schools hope the new approach…