somerset

Emma Britton,BBC Radio Somerset and Chris Lockyer,SomersetBBCThe Amulet theatre in Shepton Mallet closed in 2022A community group is a step closer to buying a disused Somerset theatre after raising more than £115,000.The Amulet in Shepton Mallet was originally a gift to the town in 1975 from the Showering family, who were famous for inventing the Babycham drink.It operated as a popular theatre and community centre for many years but closed in 2022.Martin Berkeley from the Let's Buy The…

John WimperisLocal Democracy Reporting ServiceJohn WimperisAfter closing as a pool in 2000, the Tropicana has recently been used as an events spaceWork has begun to turn Weston-super-Mare's Tropicana into a "nationally significant" venue for culture, arts, and entertainment.North Somerset Council won Levelling Up funding in 2023 to rejuvenate the former lido, which was also the home of Banksy's Dismaland exhibition in 2015.Contractors Morgan Sindall are currently stripping out the interior of the building, ready for it to be…

Glenda Spooner Farm Rescue and Rehoming CentrePam the Shetland pony stands at 24 inches (60cm) tallHere is our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and the most interesting content from social media.Our pick of local website storiesThe two teens who were convicted of killing of Mikey Roynon had their convictions overturned, reports ITV West Country.Bristol Live reports beloved family run restaurant Don Giovanni's is closing its doors in January after delighting…

Rail passengers are advised to allow more time for their journeys as work to refurbish a railway bridge continues.Portway Overbridge in Frome, Somerset, has been undergoing work since 19 September.As a result, trains will not call at Frome station on Saturday or Sunday, with trains from London Paddington heading towards Taunton and from Bristol Temple Meads to Weymouth using an alternative route.Vaheesan Maheswaran, Network Rail's lead portfolio manager, said: "This weekend of work is a crucial time in…

Leigh Boobyer,Bristol and Luke Knight,SomersetBBCShepton Mallet Prison dates back to 1625 and has some spooky stories throughout its historyFrom a haunted prison, to the ghost of the UK's oldest lido, Somerset has its fair share of paranormal tales. To time in with Halloween, fascinating and spooky stories from across the county are being explored in a BBC Sounds series produced by BBC Radio Somerset, called The Other Side.Scar 'bleeding quite badly'Shepton Mallet Prison is among the world's oldest,…

Clara Bullock and Luke Knight,SomersetBBCDawn Quince is on the Punkie committee and says the community love the "quirky" traditionVillagers say they "love" taking part in an unusual Halloween tradition that dates back hundreds of years.The festival in Hinton St George in Somerset sees children carry "punkies" - lanterns traditionally made from a large turnip known as a mangelwurzel - and parade through the village singing punkie songs.Held on the last Thursday in October, the event which first began…

A nine-year-old boy is completing a 100-day litter-picking challenge and has already collected more than 130kg (287lb) of rubbish.Theo from Wiveliscombe in Somerset is 53 days into his challenge and said he has found everything from footballs to unopened jam jars.The young environmentalist said he is "obsessed with animals" and hopes his work will protect wildlife. During his feat, he is raising money for Surfers Against Sewage - a charity backed by his hero naturalist and explorer Steve…

BBCResidents say HGVs have been performing U-turns down narrow roads after following diversion signsResidents have spoken out after two sets of roadworks along the same route have been causing an "absolute nightmare".Furnham Road, the main road into Chard, has two sets of works as gas repairs and water upgrade works take place.Steve Gibbs, who lives near the diversion, said the roadworks have been an "absolute nightmare", with HGVs performing U-turns down narrow roads.Leaders at Somerset Council said they…