somerset

Family handoutPaul Wells was killed by his neighbour in Highbridge, Somerset, in 2020A paramedic was concerned about his colleague's safety during a visit to the house of a man who went on to kill his neighbour the same day, an inquest has heard.Richard Matthews, who had severe mental health problems, admitted fatally stabbing his neighbour Paul Wells in Highbridge, Somerset, on 25 June 2020.Andrew Richardson, an operational officer at South Western Ambulance Service, told the inquest that he…

Chloe HarcombeWest of EnglandBBCThe A396 was closed on Wednesday while police carried out a partial reconstruction of a fatal coach crashPolice investigating a fatal school coach crash have conducted a partial reconstruction to help them work out the circumstances which led to the incident.Oliver Price, 10, died of a head injury when a coach carrying Minehead Middle School pupils left the A396 near Wheddon Cross in Somerset and slid down a 6m (20ft) slope on 17 July.Avon and…

BBCStudents were tasked with creating a shoe for 14-15 year-oldsMore than 100 students have taken part in a new work experience project where they create their own shoe design for a world renowned shoemaker.The scheme, in Yeovil, Somerset, is different to the normal type of work experience where one student usually shadows an employer.Year 11 students from Preston School, Castle School and Westfield Academy worked in teams to reimagine Somerset shoemakers Clarks, for a new generation of 14…

Alexandra BassinghamWest of EnglandBBCHundreds of handmade poppies were attached to a fence overlooking Clevedon's pier last yearMilitary personnel will be honoured during Remembrance services across the West Country this weekend.Thousands of people are expected to attend parades ahead of a two-minute silence held at 11:00 GMT on Sunday 9 November. There will also be wreath-laying at cenotaphs and memorials. Events are being held across Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire, with residents in towns and villages attending.Road closures will…

Three more houses are to be adapted into "family-style" children's homes under a £3m plan.Each home will be co-designed by young people with care experience and will be run under Somerset Council's Homes and Horizons scheme, which already has 16 children living in eight houses.Council leaders said the new houses will allow more children in care to move back to their home county.A council report stated that children already living in the homes have "improved engagement in education…

A former nuclear power station will begin its 95-year decommissioning process after regulators granted formal consent.EDF's Hinkley Point B, which lies on the Somerset coast near Stogursey, has been given the green light to be demolished by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).In August 2022, Hinkley Point B reached the end of its operating life after nearly 46 years of generating electricity.Dan Hasted, ONR director of regulation, said: "We will continue to proportionately regulate the Hinkley Point B…

Somerset batter and England World Cup winner Fran Wilson has announced her retirement from cricket.The 33-year-old returned to Somerset in 2025 for a second spell, as the women's side turned professional, and scored 574 runs in 28 matches.She previously played for the club between 2006 and 2014 and scored more than 2,500 runs in List A and T20 games.Wilson played 64 times for England across three formats and was part of the team that won the 2017 ICC…