News in Wells

Mendip District Council is to receive more than £102,000 from the government to help it support the recovery of high streets including the one in Wells.

A new £50 million fund for councils to support their local high streets get safely back to business was announced today (May 24) by High Streets Minister Simon Clarke.

Following the updated government advice today (May 23), the Bishop's Palace Gardens will open to members for the first time in over two months at noon tomorrow (May 24) and to the general public on Bank Holiday Monday (May 25).

The first day tomorrow will be reserved for members only, in order to limit numbers, say thank you to loyal members, and to debut the new safety measures that have been put in place.

Two of the pharmacies in Wells will be open over the late May Bank Holiday weekend.

According to the official list provided by NHS England, the Boots Pharmacy at Priory Health Park will be closed tomorrow (Sunday May 24) and on Bank Holiday Monday (May 25).

Sue Jones from Wells does not lack ambition. She has started a campaign to climb to the Space Station - which is 200 miles above the earth and 36 times the height of Everest.

She lives in a bungalow and as her contribution to the collective effort for charity Sue intends to climb the 28,028 feet of Everest on her loft ladder.

After initially being delayed to September, the Godney Gathering 2020 has now been postponed to 2021 - but performers booked for the event have committed to the dates for next year.

The two-day festival was initially due to take place in July, but in March it was postponed to September in the hope the impact of the coronavirus crisis would have eased.

Despite the recent easing of restrictions, we remain deep into the coronavirus lockdown, and Wells residents are doing their bit to make sure the spread of Covid-19 is kept to a minimum.

Visit Somerset have told tourists to only visit Wells if they are coming for exercise and live within an hour's drive.

Somerset publisher March Hamilton has announced Wells author Beth Webb as one of the judges for its Worlds From Home lockdown writing competition.

The competition aims to get young people between eight and 16 writing creatively during the lockdown period.

A planning application has been submitted to Mendip District Council for the demolition of the Identity Kits schoolwear and the Somerset Guild of Craftsmen shops in Wells, and five homes to be built on the site.

The application for the demolition of the existing commercial buildings and erection of five dwellings at 23 Broad Street, Wells, has been made by Mrs F Shenton.

In recent weeks it has been so lovely to share the lanes with walkers and cyclists of all ages, to see families having the confidence to take their little ones out on their bikes and scooters.

Department for Transport figures have previously suggested that throughout England, 61 per cent of adults said they thought it was too dangerous for them to cycle on the roads, let alone take their children out.

Schools in the Wells area are being offered free installation of health protection equipment by principal building contractor Melhuish and Saunders.

The construction sites of Melhuish and Saunders, who are based in Glastonbury, are all open and making progress on current building projects for various sectors including health and education.