News in Wells

Somerset County Council has denied claims made by an MP that it overpaid its highways contractor to the tune of £361,000.

The council has a contract with Skanska to carry out essential road repairs and maintenance across Somerset, which is worth £30 million a year.

Bath and West Community Energy (BWCE) working with Avalon Community Energy (ACE) are looking for heat pump or electric vehicle charge point owners in Wells to participate in an action research project to help the move towards a low carbon electricity grid.

The research will take place over five months from March 1 to July 31 2021. Participants could earn up to £5 to £75 per year (pro rata over the five months) for being included.

Grants up to £2,500 are now available for smaller charities and grassroots groups based in Wells.

Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) manages The Somerset Fund and is encouraging smaller charities and community groups that run on less than £100,000 per year to apply now for funding.

Like many charities during the coronavirus pandemic, Somerset's five Citizens Advice services have had to change the way that they help local people.

More and more individuals and families are seeking advice over the telephone and email, on issues related to their finances or employment, through to consumer, relationship or housing problems.

The Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership have announced their Volunteer of the Year for 2020, choosing not just one volunteer but all 34 Volunteer Rangers collectively.

The award has always been given to an individual that has gone above and beyond the call of duty, but due to the extraordinary circumstances of 2020 it felt unfair to celebrate just one volunteer.

Thanks to more than 450 generous supporters across Somerset, the annual Surviving Winter appeal - which provides funding and support to our older neighbours in Wells who are struggling to heat their homes - is getting close to reaching its target of £120,000 this winter.

Surviving Winter, which is run by Somerset Community Foundation (SCF), encourages people who can afford to, to make a donation from their Winter Fuel Payment.

New year always brings hopes and resolutions, both more important than ever this year.

Like people of goodwill everywhere, members of Mendip Ramblers hope for a better year in 2021 for the whole world.

As of one minute past midnight today (Boxing Day) Wells, along with the rest of Somerset moved into the Very High Alert coronavirus restriction level.

This is Tier 3, involves tighter restrictions on travel and meeting up, and applies to all of Somerset, Bristol and Gloucestershire.

Extra funding has been made available to support Somerset's foodbanks which have been playing a vital role throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

In order to provide extra support this winter, grants of between £2,000 and £3,000 have been awarded to a number of foodbanks across the county, including Wells Foodbank, as part of Somerset's Food Resilience Programme.

It's nearly time for Santa and his nine gorgeous reindeer to begin their tour of the country.

He has a lot of presents for well-behaved children and grown ups in his sleigh!