News in Wells

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is reassuring Wells residents that its lifesaving service is still being delivered during the coronavirus outbreak.

But, the service is not being tasked to attend suspected or confirmed coronavirus patients.

A planning application has been submitted to Mendip District Council for the conversion of office space around the Insane Games shop in Wells into six flats.

The application for prior approval to change of use of a building from office use (Use Class B1(a)) to dwellinghouses (Use Class C3) at 2 St Cuthbert Street, Wells, has been made by Ben Walters.

There's never been a better time for Wells residents to immerse themselves in learning something new or improving the knowledge and skills that they already have.

And Somerset Skills and Learning (SS&L) have made it easier for you by offering distance learning courses free to anyone aged 19 and over who has lived in the EU for at least three years.

With theatres and cinemas closed and communal life in the "physical world" put on hold, the team at Strode Theatre, which attracts audiences from Wells, have decided not to give up on its primary purpose - to be the heart of the community, bring people together and provide entertainment, diversion, creativity and culture.

It will be harder to fulfil that purpose in lock-down, without the theatre's facilities, but, theatre manager Robin Peters promises, "absolutely possible".

UCAS has given prospective higher education students in Wells an extra two weeks to make a decision about their future place of study, also giving colleges more time to adjust their processes in what are highly unusual times.

All students will receive an email from UCAS this week with the new May deadline. If you attend Strode College, contact your tutor or Strode College Careers if you need any support with this.

A website has been launched by the Wells Coronavirus Network (WCN) to help people through this crisis.

It offers advice, useful information, how to become a volunteer and links to agencies that can help. Go to https://helpwells.co.uk/.

Blood donation will continue in Wells despite the coronavirus crisis, with donors being reassured that travel to sessions is classed as essential.

Donation sessions will continue to be held at Wells Town Hall, and the NHS Blood and Transplant service has made a plea to city residents to keep donating to maintain stock levels.

This Godney Gathering 2020 has been postponed until later in the year due to the coronavirus crisis, but the headline acts have committed to the new dates.

Now the event will take place on Friday and Saturday September 25 and 26, and the Lightning Seeds, The Coral, Judge Jules Live and British Sea Power have all confirmed they will be available for the new dates.

An update on NHS services in Wells has been issued by Councillor Clare Paul, Somerset County Council's Cabinet member for public health and wellbeing.

"As coronavirus expands," she said, "routine services will come under pressure, but the NHS will flex its response in line with well-established escalation plans, backed by regular guidance to local health services, including GP practices, which is being regularly updated.

The Tesco in Wells has begun operating a one way system in the store to reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading between shoppers.

According to staff in the store, the one way system is a trial to see how smoothly it runs and how well it is followed by shoppers.