News in Wells

Mendip District Council is to enable the planting of hundreds of trees at Ebbor Gorge with the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Unit.

The move supports the council's Climate and Ecological Emergency commitment by increasing the carbon absorption potential of the district's landscape, in addition to helping alleviate some of the current issues faced in the Mendip Hills, including tree loss due to ash dieback disease.

Wells WI February 2021 meeting report

Our membership secretary reminded us that, nationally, subscriptions normally due in February will not be payable until April this year, in acknowledgement that activities have been restricted by the pandemic.

Crews filming the Elizabethan drama series Becoming Elizabeth, which stars Alicia von Rittberg, are back in Wells this week.

Today (March 8) crews are setting up in St Andrew's Street alongside Wells Cathedral Green, in preparation for the filming.

Lockdown restrictions are slowly easing in England and some things will be changing from Monday, March 8.

The biggest change is that schools will be reopening and all children can return to the classroom. Wraparound childcare, such as breakfast and after-school clubs can also re-open.

A chance for Wells people to have their say is coming next week.

Anyone who is entitled to vote in local elections in Wells may speak and vote at the City of Wells Parish Meeting at 6pm on Wednesday (March 10).

The latest national figures confirm that 20 million people across the country have now been offered the Covid vaccination.

Locally, the NHS vaccination programme in Somerset has also reached a new milestone, with over 200,000 vaccinations given to people in the highest priority groups.

Pub giant JD Wetherspoons is to re-open the beer garden of its Wells pub next month, in line with government restrictions.

The re-opening of the Quarter Jack on Priory Road will take place on April 12, but it will operate with a reduced menu and shorter days.

Charlie Bigham's, the fast-growing premium prepared meals business, has launched its first recruitment drive of 2021 – with 20 new positions at its Quarry Kitchen, Dulcote.

Last year, Bigham's sales grew by 20 per cent in three major retailers, and with ambitious targets for 2021, the business is adding 20 new positions to its current 300-strong Somerset team.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has today (March 3) revealed his Budget in the House of Commons.

The budget aims to provide support during what will hopefully be the final stage of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Plans for the building of a house at the end of a disused access track in Wells have been turned down by Mendip District Council.

A planning application for the building of a two-bedroom dwelling behind 72 Portway, Wells, had been submitted by Neil Harris.