somerset

Charlie Taylor,Somerset and Christopher Mace,West of EnglandBBCDan Stone was diagnosed with PTSD and values the group's camaraderieMilitary veterans transforming overgrown woodland into a community orchard say the project has helped them confront and heal from their past experiences.Located just outside Dunster Castle near Minehead, Somerset, Project Orchard is run by the NHS Somerset Armed Forces Team and the National Trust, and brings veterans together to provide mutual support and create something lasting for the local community.Ian Edmonds, who…

People who tried to help a woman after she was forced into a car by a man are being urged to contact police.Avon and Somerset Police said the victim, who is in her 30s, was forced into a silver Peugeot 207 in Clifton, Bristol on Tuesday 30 September.She managed to shout to three men for help when the car stopped in Wells, Somerset later that evening.Detectives said a man has been arrested as part of the investigation.Passers-by tried…

Steve KnibbsGloucestershire, SomersetMike GouldGrace and Les Gould rarely spoke of their time in the serviceA man has written a book based on more than 200 love letters he discovered his parents had written to each other during World War Two.Mike Gould, from Paulton in North East Somerset, found a suitcase in his parents' attic after his mum died, which contained letters, photographs and memorabilia he had never seen."I realised that not only are they love letters, but they're…

Chloe HarcombeWest of EnglandGoogleA cordon was set up on West Street in Weston-super-Mare as a precaution, police saidTwo men have been arrested after a rucksack containing a suspicious item was left on a street.Avon and Somerset Police found the bag on West Street in Weston-super-Mare at about 15:30 GMT. A 39-year-old man of no fixed abode and a man in his 50s from West Street were in police custody in connection with the incident, officers said.A cordon was…

Pippa RifkaBBC News, SomersetBlind Veterans UKJohn Hardy served in the Gulf War with the Royal Army Medical CorpsA blind veteran says he was "filled with pride" to lead a contingent for a Remembrance Sunday parade.John Hardy, from Bridgwater in Somerset, was asked to lead the Blind Veterans UK contingent at the Remembrance parade in London. The 69-year-old, who served in the Gulf War with the Royal Army Medical Corps, also laid a wreath at the Cenotaph for his…

Chloe Harcombe,West of England and Ross Pollard,in BathBBCCapt John Ledgister is the parade commander and director in Bath, SomersetThousands of people across the west of England gathered to pay their respects and mark Remembrance Sunday.Parades, remembrance services and wreath-laying ceremonies were held in Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire this morning. The region fell silent at 11:00 GMT in honour of those that lost their lives in war.Capt John Ledgister, parade commander and director in Bath, said: "We're trying…

Bea SwallowWest of EnglandHandoutThe collapsed box tomb sat upon a large underground crypt, thought to have been constructed in the 1700sAn ancient box tomb thought to be built in the 1700s has collapsed in a church cemetery, exposing a large underground crypt.The 12ft (3.6m) hole opened up at All Saints Church in Martock, Somerset, on Saturday afternoon, the day before Remembrance Sunday services were held inside.Rev Paul Fillery said the incident was likely caused by rain gradually eroding…