News in Radstock

Schools in Bath and North East Somerset are planning to open to all pupils this September.

Parents and pupils are being contacted by their schools about the measures they have put in place to reopen safely. If you have any questions about your school reopening you should in the first instance contact, your school directly.

In his latest column for Nub News the Radstock Mayor writes:

We are well into the sixth month of what is becoming the 'Corona Year,' so time for some reflection.

Traders in Widcombe have given the thumbs up to a 'I love local' campaign encouraging people back into their local shops while reminding them about simple safety steps to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Flags, signs and banners went up in shops all over Widcombe at the launch of the campaign on Friday. Milsom Street, Chelsea Road and Keynsham are keen to launch their own 'I love' campaign and work is also under way for it to launch in Bear Flat.

It was only a few weeks ago on the 8th of July that the government announced that there would be a stamp duty 'holiday' on homes purchased for up to £500.000.

The proclaimed aim was to ensure that momentum was maintained in the housing market and that as much as possible was being done to help an economy already badly affected by the pandemic. The move was welcomed by most (but not all) of those working in the housing sector. The 'holiday' comes to an end on 31st March next year.

More than £7 million of government emergency coronavirus grants are still to be claimed by businesses in Bath and North East Somerset (BANES).

Emergency coronavirus funding for firms will go back to the Treasury at the end of the month if it is not claimed, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has said.

A huge dairy farm close to Radstock has been put on the market.

Clandown Farm, a commercial dairy farm on Pows Hill is up for £4.75 million.

Regular engagement with Bath's student community and building on positive relationships with long term residents will be some of the tasks for two new Community Wardens funded by Bath & North East Somerset Council.

The wardens will act as ambassadors for the council and the universities across the whole of the city but especially where there are greater numbers of students in the local community. Helping to build communication links and being on hand to support all residents if issues arise will be important elements of the role.

The Ralph and Irma Sperring Trust has been in existence for many years and has been instrumental in helping individuals, societies, sports clubs, churches, schools and other organisations within the local community over this period. The Trust is once again looking for applications for financial help from within the community.

The Clerk to the Trustees is Michelle Deane who administers the Trust from the offices of local solicitors Thatcher + Hallam LLP, where Michelle also works as part of the Wills Probate + Tax Planning team.

After 18 months of fundraising and raising a huge £45,000 towards the family's £65,000 target, on the 11th July local lad Henry had his long awaited SDR surgery.

As the family told us: " What a journey it has been. Everything went smoothly and he has now finished his two weeks outpatient physiotherapy at The Portland London. Now the next part of the journey begins with intensive therapy for the next three years.

It is a confusing time at lower league football.

They have resumed some friendlies, but without spectators, and now there is news that when the season for real returns that too will be for closed games. But without fans watching, and buying a beer from the bar, how will this be even financially possible? For Radstock Town FC it is not even possible as their ground at the top of the town isn't closed off behind walls.