News in Wells

Deaths in Mendip surged above usual levels in March, as the coronavirus crisis unfurled in Wells and the surrounding area, official figures show.

Experts have warned the outbreak could continue to have far-reaching consequences on mortality rates across the UK, including among those who do not catch the virus.

A 15-year-old netball star who goes to school in Wells is doing what she loves - and playing super fair - to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Incredibly she is also undertaking the challenge just weeks after breaking her thumb.

I have heard it mentioned a number of times on various social media, chats or while on Zoom and Google classroom, that the current situation is bringing out both the best and the worst in people.

We hear about NHS, supermarket and other essential staff getting abused by impatient or just grumpy customers.

May continues to see St Cuthbert (Out) Parish Council bring you as much useful information as possible via its online Contact Sheet.

As well as regular updates from HM Government, there are regular summaries from Public Health England, Mendip District Council, Somerset County Council, the emergency services and Somerset Waste Partnership.

Hundreds more people in Mendip are claiming Universal Credit, figures show, as the effects of the coronavirus shutdown begin to be seen on the Wells economy.

With millions of people out of work across the UK, benefits experts Turn2us said the nation's welfare state is "creaking round the seams" as it urged the Government to remove the five-week wait for claimants' first monthly Universal Credit payment.

Life is challenging in our care and nursing homes.

The staff are key workers whose lives can be in danger but they do not get the acclaim of NHS doctors and nurses.

The owner of JD Wetherspoon has addressed rumours that the Quarter Jack in Wells and the rest of the chain's pubs across the UK could reopen in June.

The reopening of Wetherspoon pubs has been the subject of much media speculation over the last few days.

There is still time for the city's artists to enter this year's Wells Art Contemporary (WAC) open competition.

It might be all change for the format of the 2020 WAC exhibition, but plans are full steam ahead to ensure people can still see the shortlisted entries of contemporary art from around the world.

The Friends of St Cuthbert's Infant School in Wells have launched their largest project to date by undertaking a Crowdfunding bid to improve the school's playground.

The Playground Project aims to raise £2,000 by the end of July 15 for repairs and improvements, with support being offered by insurance company Aviva.

Wells acoustic music duo The Portraits are releasing a new single featuring some of the city's most talented performers and singers uniting from lockdown to spread the song's simple message: Don't Worry!

Thanks to the power of the internet, a total of 30 performers, including a number of music students from the Blue School and local choir the Skylarks, have come together on screen in perfect harmony, as The Portraits' producer Jeremy Millington explains.