News in Radstock

Local residents have travelled as far as Exeter and Cardiff to be tested for Covid-19 – despite two facilities within 10 miles.

A centre opened in Odd Down last week, Paulton's is being wound down and a walk-in facility is set to open in Bath.

More than 27,000 homes will have to be built across Bath and North East Somerset over the next 20 years if changes to the planning system are pushed through – double the previous target.

Councillors say the figure is unachievable and will leave the green belt vulnerable to predatory development.

Some delicious smells coming from the kitchen of the local charity Swallow as they readied for re-opening their cafe on September 15.

With an abundance of goodwill, not to mention super service, cafe goers will doubtless pleased to see them back.

It was being advertised locally for rent, but now the former Number 10 cafe on Fortescue Road has gone on the market.

The cafe is on sale for £150,000.

The Mayor of Radstock, Rupert Bevan writes:

In Nikolaus Pevsner's massive work: 'The Buildings of England,' the volume entitled 'North Somerset and Bristol' contains a brief summary of what the author considered worthy of mention in Radstock. Epithets such as 'ugly' and 'without dignity' are used and one is left with the feeling that civilisation passed over this town without leaving a positive mark.

Local law firm Thatcher + Hallam LLP has announced the appointment of James Weller as a trainee solicitor at the firm. James has just embarked on a two year contract as a trainee solicitor, during which time he will undergo professional training as part of the process of becoming a fully-fledged and qualified solicitor.

James was educated locally before attending Oxford Brookes University where he graduated with a Law Degree in 2017. Since graduating, James has spent time travelling extensively and has also worked on a temporary basis at Thatcher + Hallam where he fulfilled a number of administrative and other roles. Last month James successfully passed all of his Legal Practice Course exams (with merit) and in addition was awarded a Masters of Law (LLM).

A new breakfast club is proving to be a big hit with school children in the village of Wellow.

St Julian's Church School introduced the new venture just last week and has already seen a big uptake in those attending.

A huge thank you to the Radstock in Bloom team who have just announced that the stunning flower displays across the town are coming down over the next week.

In a post they in turn thanked residents and asked if everyone had enjoyed them.

"To see a child grow and develop and become a fantastic adult in the community is so rewarding", the words of one of Bath and North East Somerset Council's foster carers as the authority asks people to consider whether they could offer a stable, secure foster home to a young person in care.

Despite an increase in enquiries from people considering fostering during lockdown there are still more than 180 children currently being looked after by the council and the number of children needing foster homes continues to grow.

Nothing available - this was what a resident of Norton Radstock was being informed today (September 11) as she struggled to get a coronavirus test.

She had been trying to get a test from 7am and two and a half hours later was still getting a message that none were available in Paulton - or anywhere else. Nor were there any postal tests.