News in Wells

Stones and Tales is a one-day practical, in-depth writers' workshop at Abbey House, Glastonbury.

Mendip District Council has paid out millions to support local businesses during the pandemic. Now news of another funding stream is opening for applications - worth a quarter of a million pounds.

The Covid 19 Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) for businesses is now open for applications. As high demand is expected, the window to apply for discretionary funding will close at midnight on Friday 4 February.

PCC Mark Shelford's Police Tax survey closed on Friday 21 January with over 5,600 local people responding to the consultation.

Local people were asked via an online and postal survey if they would pay an increase in the policing part of the council tax, known as the precept. The consultation asked if residents would be willing to pay either a 2% increase, which is equivalent to approximately 40p per month for the average band D household, 4.1% increase, which is equivalent to approximately 83p per month for the average band D household or to not pay an increase at all.

Chair of Mendip District Council, Cllr Helen Sprawson-White, has donated £1,200 to local charities across the district using money from the Chair's Fund.

Monies have been received by food banks, including Wells Vineyard, Fair Frome, Glastonbury Bridging the Gap, and Street and Shepton Mallet Salvation Army branches.

Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) takes place on 27th January. It's a day which commemorates victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides.

Mendip District Council will be joining the nation in marking the moment. We'll be flying the union flag at half-mast at our offices in Shepton Mallet.

Mendip District Council staff have raised a total of £1,459 for their Staff Charity of the Year, Time is Precious.

Every year, Council staff nominate a new cause to support for 12 months. Previous beneficiaries have been CLIC Sargent, YMCA Mendip, Alzheimer's Society, Age UK, and We Hear You. Staff have raised more than £9,000 for these good causes in recent years.

A rural insurance expert is urging South West farmers and landowners to take extra steps to protect themselves against fly-tipping this winter, with latest figures revealing a rise in cases.

According to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), a total 55,162 fly-tipping incidents were recorded across the region in 2020/21, up from 50,506 during the previous 12 months. Incidents on agricultural land increased, year-on-year, from 241 to 563.

Businesses, individuals and charities have just two weeks left to enter the Somerset Business Awards 2022 – and with 14 categories there is something for firms .

Wells fire service were out earlier today (January 23)

Fire control received a call from a member of the public who had woken up to a house filled with smoke in Coxley at just before 9 am.

A senior council officer in Somerset was dismissed following allegations that she used council staff to build glamping pods, lay turf and remove a dead pig from her Dorset vineyard.

Clare Pestell joined South Somerset District Council in 2012, eventually becoming its director of commercial and income generation and at one point was in line to become the new interim chief executive.