Latest news with #Bridgwater
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Headlines: Houseboat fire and Frome trees vandalised
Here's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media on Monday 2 June. Our pick of local website stories A dramatic picture has been released of the residential houseboat which caught fire while cruising along the river in Lechlade.A young otter cub has made a "remarkable recovery" after being rushed to the RSPCA's West Hatch centre in Somerset with a respiratory Police and Crime Commissioner has supported calls to make cannabis a Class A drug. Recategorizing it would align it with other illicit substances like heroin and cocaine.A key road in Bridgwater town centre will be shut for two months as the delivery of the town's 'Celebration Mile' continues. Our top three from yesterday What to watch on social media A 'Welcome to Margate' sign has appeared on the road to nowhere in Yate, suggesting the deserted stretch is possibly being used as a filming and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service have issued a reminder that most vapes contain hidden lithium batteries, which can spark fires if crushed.'Mindless' vandals have chopped down two young trees in Victoria Park in Frome and littered the grass with charred book pages.
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Bowel cancer scheme helps people who don't like talking about poo
A self-referral service is hoping to speed up the diagnosis of bowel cancer by making it easier for younger people to get checked, without the need to speak to their GP. Since its launch in November, an online form has already allowed almost 200 people in Somerset to seek help for bowel 75% of young people in the county with bowel cancer receive the diagnosis at a late stage - above the national average of 50%, NHS data consultant in charge of the service said he hoped the scheme would encourage people who do not like speaking about their bowel movements to come forward. Every year, more than 2,500 people under the age of 50 are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the a traditional track to a diagnosis, patients would first speak to their GP and could be asked to provide a poo sample which would go through a faecal immunochemical test (FIT).The test can trace the tiniest amount of blood and, if positive, further investigations are booked new system allows patients between the ages of 40 and 49 to check their eligibility for a FIT test without a GP appointment. The scheme was initially available to patients registered with a GP in Bridgwater and has recently been extended to Yeovil, with hopes to extend it across Somerset by March data showed the highest proportion of young people being diagnosed with late-stage bowel cancer in the county was in the Bridgwater area. Consultant colorectal surgeon, Richard Bamford, said: "We know that people don't like talking about poo, they get a bit embarrassed by it... it's not something which is easy to do."We also know that people are busy and it's difficult, with the pressure our primary colleagues are under, to get to a GP practice when you need it."He added earlier detection could lead to better outcomes and treatment, with less invasive techniques and earlier recovery. Joanne Hull, 44, used the service five months ago by self-referring on Facebook when she noticed she was going to the toilet more frequently."I was scared and anxious about why [it was happening], then I had a pre-assessment by telephone, another call to arrange for a colonoscopy and that was arranged in January," she found polyps (abnormal tissue growth) in Ms Hull's intestines. They were removed and taken for a biopsy, where they were found to be left, there is a chance they could have developed into cancer."Having gone through it, I would recommend the scheme to anyone because it is certainly going to be a preventative measure for me going forward," she said."If I hadn't gone through it, who knows what would have happened in the next few years," she added. Bowel cancer symptoms The NHS lists the main symptoms of bowel cancer as including:Bleeding from your bottomBlood in your pooA change in your toilet habits – going more or less often, or having diarrhoea or constipationLosing weightStomach pains Online referrals have been signposted to people in a number of ways, including at supermarket pop-ups, local businesses, workplace events (including Hinkley Point C) and localised advertising can text the word poo for free to 82228 for more information, or find the self-referral form online.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Disruption warning for drivers as works resume in Bridgwater
Motorists are being warned of possible disruption when a partial road closure comes into place.A section of Church Street, in Bridgwater, is expected to remain closed until the end of July as work on the Celebration Mile project closure will also affect the eastern area of Eastover to allow Somerset Council's contractors Taylor Woodrow to install new kerb lines and resurface pavements. Councillor, Mike Rigby, said: "We will make sure that pedestrians and shoppers, businesses and residents, will continue to have access throughout. We will also be installing extra signs to make people aware that Church Street remains open for business." One of 11 projects being delivered as part of the Bridgwater Town Deal, Celebration Mile is being funded through £23.2m worth of government council said a diversion route would be provided for residents of London and residents have been invited to a drop-in session on 12 June to learn more about the project.
Daily Mirror
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
UK's worst motorway service station ranked by drivers who give it brutal review
Which?'s latest poll reveals the best and worst motorway service stations in the UK, with one site standing out for all the wrong reasons and receiving the lowest score of all Motorway service stations are rarely hotspot destinations in themselves, but they do offer a vital pit stop for food and fuel, as well as a much-needed break for tired travellers. However, not all rest areas are created equal, as the latest Which? survey of nearly 90 UK motorway service stations reveals. Based on the experiences of thousands of drivers, the poll highlights a stark divide between the best and worst stops on the road. At the very bottom of the rankings, one site stands out for all the wrong reasons — Bridgwater Services on the M5, which has been named the UK's worst motorway service station. Located on the M5 at junction 24 and operated by Moto, Bridgwater Services received a customer score of just 23%, reflecting a service station that is failing to meet the most basic standards expected by modern travellers. Feedback from drivers who stopped at Bridgwater was brutally honest, with one describing the station's cramped facilities as as looking and feeling "filthy", while another said the toilets "smelt of stale urine". The limited range of shops and food outlets was also heavily criticised, with customers finding the available options overpriced and underwhelming. Bridgewater Services is run by Moto, the UK's largest service area operator — the company runs nine of the 10 service stations to be found at the very bottom of Which?'s list. To put Bridgwater's score in perspective, the best-rated service station in the UK, Gloucester Services on the M5, achieved an impressive 85% customer score and was praised for its cleanliness, facilities and locally sourced food options. Moto told Which?: "We have invested £55m refurbishing our service stations and building new sites over the past two years. "A Transport Focus study, conducted in the summer of 2023, revealed that 94% of respondents were either satisfied or fairly satisfied with their experience at Moto's sites. This study had seven times more respondents than Which?. "Our refurbishment programme is extensive and focused on older MSAs, and has achieved some key targets such as 75% of our toilets being revamped in the last five years. Bridgwater scored 88% in the Transport Focus study, and has been upgraded in the past two years, since the Which? panel respondents started visiting our sites." If you are heading in that direction but wish to avoid the UK's 'worst motorway service station, Which? suggests going to: "Gloucester Services, the UK's best service station is an hour's drive north of Bridgwater. "If you are not going that way, Sedgemoor South Services, 15 minutes north of Bridgwater — scored 52% overall, and where Bridgwater scored just one star for cleanliness, facilities, convenience and the range and quality of food and drink and shops on offer, Sedgemoor South scored three. A significantly better services."
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wins all round for Taunton Deane
It is rare for all five of the Deane Saturday teams to record wins on the same day but, with the unfortunate cry off against Deane Thirds XI included, the records show a perfect five out of five. The theme of the Saturday evening captains' reports was about run scorers. The 5th XI scored a very good win with Jack Monsey scoring his 122 in just 89 balls as, with Ashton Adams, Freddie Jarrett and Harry Matthews all getting into the 40s, Wembdon were asked to chase an improbable 4ths had a much tighter win over Stoke St Gregory with Shivam Shirke once again top scoring with 66. At the Convent Field the Deane Seconds had two centurions as they posted a massive 326-4. Bhuvanesh Jayaraman (122) scored his second hundred in two weeks while Josh Cobb rattled along to score his 105 from just 69 balls. Jack Blackwell's four wickets for just 8 runs were key to Wedmore achieving a final total of just 100. Read more: Taunton Deane all set for the new season Cricket: Taunton Deane's first XI crush Ilminster in season opener Wins for Taunton Deane first elevens cricket The fragile Deane First XI top order batting was on display again at the Parks against a predictably strong Bridgwater side led by the evergreen Chris Skidmore. At 30 for five, it looked like another early finish. Deane supporters had their spirits lifted by a succession of useful partnerships – 84 for the 6th wicket, 63 for the 7th and 73 for the 8th. Ed Mellor, Jim Brehaut and Sunil Lachit all made twenties in support of the one Deane player who made batting look easy. Sam Burgess was out with the score on 250 having scored his first league hundred and counting 26 boundaries in his total of 136. The Deane final score of 290 looked a good but not unachievable target. Sam's innings was, as expected, the difference between the teams and, despite a good start and a late flurry from Seth Locke (56), Bridgwater fell 10 runs short. Just for good measure, Sam also bagged 3 wickets. It was a good day for Sam and, indeed, for all the Deane teams. Next Saturday Deane Fist XI welcome old rivals Wellington as we continue to chase that one precious promotion place. As a rehearsal, we also face Wellington on Thursday in the County Cup.
