somerset

An environmental group which plants 20,000 trees and hedgerows a year across Somerset is on the lookout for more volunteers to offer their land.Reimagining the Levels (RtL) was borne out of the 2014 floods in the county and tries to reduce the impact of flooding by slowing the flow of waters.The group has planted more than 120,000 trees so far, helping private land owners to provide shelter and diversity.Kate Towers, from Compton Dundon, said the scheme was "good…

BBCThe new one-way system affects Salmon Parade and East Quay in BridgwaterA council has decided to review a controversial one-way system after a petition against it was signed by more than 5,000 people.As part of the Celebration Mile works in Bridgwater, Somerset, East Quay and Salmon Parade have been made one-way to traffic.Councillor Bill Revans, the Liberal Democrat leader of Somerset Council said: "We've listened carefully to residents and local businesses, and are already taking another look. It…

All-rounder Dani Gibson has signed a one-year contract extension with Somerset that will keep her at the county through to the end of the 2026 season.The 24-year-old right hander played in four matches this year for Somerset in her debut season for the county and scored 103 runs with a high score of 50.In March she was ruled out for the start of the 2025 campaign after suffering a stress fracture in her back. Gibson made her full…

Eben Morrish-Croad and Chris Lockyer,SomersetBBCSome of the memorials have been laid flat to prevent injury to visitors and staffParish councillors say they are in an "impossible" situation as they try to maintain a 135-year-old graveyard.Porlock Parish Council said Hawkcombe Cemetery in west Somerset could cost up to £100,000 to repair after an inspection found 102 memorials were "unstable" and potentially hazardous.In line with national safety guidance and legal obligations, the council said it had taken the difficult but…

Jonathan Holmes,Bristol and Liam McGuinn,in NailseaBBCJohn Brown has run the shop since 1957The owner of a town's oldest shop is celebrating his 100th birthday.John Brown, owner of John Brown Hardware, built and then opened his shop in Nailsea, North Somerset, in September 1957 with his father.Mr Brown regularly worked in the shop until the age of 98, and still oversees the business. He said he still felt like a "youngster at heart" and was "proud and honoured" to…

A motorway closure is leading to heavy traffic after a man was arrested for reportedly "failing to observe" it.The M4 is currently shut between junction 18 for Bath and junction 19 for the M32 while National Highways engineers install eight steel beams for the new A432 Badminton Road Bridge.There are delays of nearly an hour on either end of the closure and according to National Highways, westbound traffic is building up as far east as junction 17 for…

Jonathan HolmesWest of EnglandDiocese of Bath and WellsThe clock mechanism in the tower of St Catherine's Church in Montacute dates back to the 1400sWhile most will be enjoying an extra hour's sleep as the clocks go back on Sunday morning, for those who look after them it is a busy time.Across the West Country, people will be heading out to look after various antique mechanisms in church towers, train stations and more."It's quite notorious that somebody will turn…

Lilly-Mae MessengerSomerset , BBC West of EnglandTanya RussellTanya Russell's daughter, Johdi (L), died in 2017A Somerset mother is appealing for help after losing a ring containing her daughter's ashes.Tanya Russell, a grief counsellor based in Cheddar, posted the appeal on social media when she realised the ring was missing.Her daughter, Johdi, died in 2017 from sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP).Mrs Russel said: "It's similar to losing a loved one as it was part of her... I feel…

Trowbridge Pumpkin TrailThe annual Trowbridge Pumpkin Trail begins on Saturday 25 OctoberWith Halloween right around the corner, the West of England is bursting with exciting activities this spooky season. From decorated pumpkins, spooky houses to family-friendly fright nights, here is a round up of some of the spookiest events happening in the west.BristolBristol Aquarium and We The Curious are hosting a Halloween silent disco - one ticket grants access to both venues.Families can step on board the SS…