News in Wells

Mendip District Council has suspended Wells Market with immediate effect.

The council says it comes as tougher restrictions are placed on people's movements nationwide, to curb Covid-19.

If you are stuck at home in Wells and worried about your future options, you can get in touch with the admissions team at Strode College in Street via [email protected].

The college has a wide selection of courses available including A-levels, vocational courses, the new T-levels and apprenticeships so staff can help and advice you on all your future study and careers options.

The Somerset Waste Partnership has announced that Dulcote Recycling Centre and all the county's recycling sites have been closed until further notice as a result of the coronavirus.

This follows the latest government advice on avoiding non-essential contact and travel, and the challenges of ensuring public and staff safety at the busy sites where physical distancing is difficult.

Upper Sixth pupils at Wells Cathedral School have been receiving and confirming offers from universities and music colleges across the UK since the start of the year.

To date, pupils have received more than 150 offers from Russell Group and other top universities to study a wide range of subjects, from anthropology and archaeology to engineering, history of art to theoretical physics.

Wells Market will remain open and continue to run to ensure essential items are available to the public.

Mendip District Council has taken the decision to continue to run the service that runs on Saturdays and Wednesdays, albeit a reduced one, following Government guidelines.

A new interior perimeter wall walk around the Great Hall at the Bishop's Palace in Wells has been given planning permission.

An application by Jonathan Sawyer from the Palace Trust for the installation of new wall walk to the perimeter of Bishop Burnell's Great Hall ruinous remains, the addition of ancillary balustrades, the installation of new handrails to north east and north west tower stairs, the construction of a new path parallel to the south wall and adaptation/enhancement of existing garden planted beds, has been approved by Mendip District Council planners.

Vehicle owners in Wells will be granted a six-month exemption from MOT testing, enabling them to continue to travel to work where this absolutely cannot be done from home, or shop for necessities.

All cars, vans and motorcycles which usually would require an MOT test will be exempted from needing a test from March 30.

On government advice, the parish play areas in Dinder, Dulcote, Coxley and Easton are closed until further notice.

The maintenance contractors for St Cuthbert (Out) Parish Council, which covers the four villages, will continue to look after and visually inspect the play areas as best they can, to keep them ready for when they can re-open.

Retired army personnel will not be deployed en masse to help deal with the coronavirus, the Wells MP has pledged.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation yesterday evening (March 23), putting tougher measures in place to restrict citizens' movement and stop the virus from spreading.

The Elim Connect Centre in Wells remains open in line with the most recent Government guidance dated March 23 - Community centres remain open.

The Outreach team are still delivering vital services for those who are homeless and rough sleeping.