News in Wells

Somerset County Council has approved its annual budget with minimal opposition – including a nearly five per cent rise in council tax.

The full council met virtually yesterday morning (February 17) to approve both its revenue and capital spending for the next 12 months.

The Bishop's Palace in Wells has scored 93 per cent in a recent assessment by VisitEngland as part of the national Visitor Attractions Quality Scheme.

The results of the rating were released following a secret visit in December by the assessor.

Proposals to turn a zebra crossing in Wells into a toucan crossing with traffic lights have been dropped, with improvements planned instead.

A planning application to vary condition 23 (signalised crossing) of planning approval 2017/0290/VRC (application for variation of condition 2 drawings on permission 2015/0236/VRC) to allow for a non-signalised crossing on Glastonbury Road, Wells, by Crest Nicholson (SW) Ltd has been approved by Mendip District Council.

Five "missing link" cycle routes could soon be connected up to make it easier to reach Mendip's key settlements without a car.

Mendip District Council identified 14 such routes in June 2020 which could be connected up to encourage people across the district to walk or cycle to work or school, thereby reducing congestion and pollution.

GROVER, Peter - of Cheddar, much-loved husband, wonderful soulmate and best friend of Lorraine Grover Ng, passed away on 8 February 2021, aged 67 years.

As a local online newspaper seeking to be at the heart of the Wells community, we realise the importance of obituaries as a key part of the service.

A Wells laptops for schools appeal has brought a rapid response.

By this morning (February 15) 35 had been donated for pupils who need them for accessing their school's teaching portal and learning at home.

As we start the February half term, a time when many of us would usually have been looking forward to a short-break away, the impact on the industry and the economy from the loss of tourism again comes into sharp focus.

There are still people who are declining to have a life-saving coronavirus vaccine because they are nervous or believe unproven conspiracy theories.

To reassure doubters and worriers local photographer Jason Bryant took a picture for the national media of Michael Eavis, the best-known face in Somerset, having his jab.

The Somerset Coronavirus Appeal, launched by local charity Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) at the start of the pandemic, has raised £1.5 million.

The funding has enabled the Foundation to award grants to more than 300 local charities in just 10 months, thanks to the support of local individuals, businesses, charitable trusts and public sector partners, as well as funding from a national appeal run by the National Emergencies Trust (NET).

A Wells slimming consultant, who feared she would never be able to have children due to suffering from Polycystic Ovaries Syndrome (PCOS), has welcomed her first child - after losing almost three stone in weight.

Sarah Sanger, aged 33, was just a child when she developed the rare condition which affects around 10 per cent of women - causing her to suffer from excess hair, hormonal imbalances and irregular periods.