News in Radstock

We are sure lockdown has given everyone the opportunity to read more, and equally sure that many local book groups have been holding virtual meetings to discuss what they have read. Now with the easing of lockdown there is something else to look forward to! Wells Festival of Literature is going ahead and will hold its Book Group event on Sunday 18 October 2020.

Max Porter will be coming to Wells for this event to discuss his novel 'Lanny'. This is his second novel and was longlisted for the 2019 Booker Prize. It combines myth and modern life in the poetic tale of an imaginative childhood. Max is looking forward to talking about his novel and receiving feedback on it, as well as answering questions from his audience. Max's debut novel, 'Grief Is The Thing With Feathers', was a Sunday Times List best-seller and won the Dylan Thomas Prize.

The declaration recognises the essential role nature plays in society and the economy and provides a statement of intent to protect our wildlife and habitats, enabling residents to benefit from a green, nature rich environment.

It builds on the council's declaration of a Climate Emergency last March and recognises that the two threats, caused by the over-exploitation of the earth's resources and poor land management, are having a devastating impact on the planet and our wellbeing.

The coronavirus crisis has exposed Bath and North East Somerset Council's over-reliance on tourism and rental income – and it cannot continue, the authority's finance chief has said.

Opposition leaders have accused the Liberal Democrat administration of a "shocking and irresponsible" failure to plan for the future but councillor Richard Samuel said there was too much uncertainty.

In his latest column, the Radstock Mayor Rupert Bevan writes about being tolerant.

He writes for Nub News:

A race equality panel will be set up as part of efforts to tackle the "deep-seated inequalities" in Bath and North East Somerset.

In the wake of George Floyd's death and the global Black Lives Matter movement that followed, the council has voted to stand in solidarity with protesters to challenge structural racism.

The community of Peasedown St John has continued to pull together, and rally around to support those in need, in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

With many charities and community groups struggling to find the funds to survive, a grant scheme that solely supports projects in the village has injected cash into a popular toddler group to help it get back on its feet.

By Lauren Martin

Until recently, if you were using an e-scooter (a scooter with an electric motor) on any public property, to include roads and pavements, you would be committing an illegal act. This is still very much true, you can only use a privately owned e-scooter on private land for which you have permission or own.

It might have three names, but one name eludes the volunteers and passionate conservationists who have been looking after this hidden gem in Radstock.

They want the name of the owner of this much-loved spot hidden away in the town.

More than 1,600 people have signed a petition calling on Bath and North East Somerset Council to halt the rollout of 5G.

They claim the technology is untested and unnecessary, and could harm public health.

We're calling on the superhero inside each one of us

Over the last three months, our nation has spent a lot of time thinking about heroes. But what makes a hero? And how do you know one, when you see one?