Latest news with #SomersetCouncil
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Somerset dog experience: 'My birthday gift unknowingly funded dog abuse'
A women who was gifted a voucher for a viral golden retriever petting experience said she's "distraught" after "unknowingly funding" mistreatment of Briers, from Nottingham, got a £125 voucher for the now closed down viral Golden Retriever Experience in West Somerset near Minehead for her site offered play and petting sessions with around 30 dogs to paying visitors but the owner was recently banned from keeping dogs for 10 years after some of the animals died in his care.A spokesperson for the Golden Retriever Experience said: "There has been a high volume of enquiries regarding gift cards, and we are currently assessing the situation." The experience, which garnered millions of views on social media - had its licence revoked by Somerset Council following a police and RSPCA investigation in May animal charity said the dogs were kept in unclean and overcrowded conditions, with little access to fresh Briers said she "felt sick to the stomach" after finding out about the ban."As an animal lover, who's owned four rescue dogs, the fact that the £125 contributed to and enabled them to abuse the dogs," she said."It's been devastating to see what happened to these poor dogs."It's not about getting the refund, it's what the money has enabled them to do. I feel complicit in the abuse of these poor dogs."Ms Briers was gifted the voucher for the golden retriever experience in Somerset in October 2022 for her birthday by work colleagues. After a family emergency, Ms Briers was unable to book within the 12 months limit so she emailed the company and they responded "not to worry" about the expiry date and get in touch at a later the website for the now defunct Golden Retriever Experience, in it's Terms and Conditions it says gift cards are non-refundable. Nicolas St James, 62, was handed an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for one year, at North Somerset Magistrates' Court in Weston-super-Mare earlier this month.A spokesperson for the attraction added on gift voucher refunds that they're "unable to comment further pending legal advice".
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
UK seaside town in chaos as 'fly-tipping' travellers 'dump nappies' in sea
A charming seaside town has suffered a major below after multiple caravans have parked up on the seafront lawns and allegedly been dumping nappies into the sea and fighting among each other An idyllic seaside town has descended into chaos after a group of travellers has 'taken over' the seafront. Situated at the mouth of the River Parret along the stunning Somerset coast, lies Burnham-on-Sea - a quintessential seaside resort full of charm and natural beauty. Here, you'll find seven miles of soft golden sand, crystal-clear waters, and a 37-metre Victorian pier that's classed as the country's smallest - as well as all of your coastal must-haves, including an abundance of fish and chip shops and ice cream parlours. But earlier this month, on July 13, multiple caravans unexpectedly parked up on the seafront lawns - sparking 'significant anxiety' and 'issues' for locals. Two weeks later, and around 15 vehicles remain in place on the lawns, located on the South Esplanade near the Sailing Club. A separate group of around 10 caravans and vehicles also pitched up on the green at Priory Gardens. Locals and tourists have reported a slew of anti-social behaviour since the travellers have arrived, including claims of fighting and excessive littering. Cheryl Boley, a retiree who has lived in the area for 60 years and walks past the occupied parking space every day, says the situation happens a couple of times a year - and it's left her 'fuming'. "They leave rubbish behind, tyres, fridges [and] human waste," she said. "We've heard they threw nappies over into the sea - we didn't see it ourselves, but with what gets left behind sometimes, it wouldn't be surprising. It makes my blood boil. We live by the law. We have a caravan - if we parked it here, we'd be kicked out immediately." Cheryl states the nearby holiday hotspot of Weston-super-Mare has erected bollards in front of the beach to prevent travellers from setting up camp, but says such a deterrent is too 'expensive' to follow. A father-of-two, who lives around a mile from the site but takes his young son to play in the area, has also complained about the influx of travellers. "We've lived here the last seven, eight years," he explained. "Every year they come, they take up somewhere new for a few weeks, they're moved on, they come back. I don't know their backgrounds, their history. But I don't think they should be taking up all the parking space, especially in the summer. I've seen them letting dogs loose as well. Small dogs, luckily, but it doesn't feel safe - you never know." Bridgwater MP Ashley Fox, who covers the Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge area, has spoken out about the issue - stating he is 'extremely concerned' by Somerset Council's 'slow response' to evict the travellers. "People in Burnham are rightly frustrated," he added. "These incidents keep happening and too often, the response from the Council is far too slow. "Our local traders rely on the summer season to make a living, and they deserve better than this. Rather than striving to serve the public, Somerset Council gives the impression of trying to get away with doing as little as possible. They are slow and unresponsive." However, Somerset Council's Lead Member for Communities, Housing Revenue Account, Culture and Equalities, Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts said the authority was working with the police to act at the earliest opportunity when an unauthorised encampment is reported. It says it has treated the matter 'with urgency' to make sure the necessary legal process is set in motion. After liaising with police to issue a formal notice to leave, the Mirror can confirm that the council applied to the Magistrates' Court for a hearing that took place on Friday, July 25. The legal process is still continuing. When approached for comment, Somerset Council did not confirm when it expects the travellers will be moved on, or when the order will be served on the encampment.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
Anger at travellers taking over seaside town for fortnight - dumping nappies in sea
Residents in Burnham-on-Sea are furious after a group of travellers set up camp on the seafront lawns, causing disruption since July 13. Locals have reported dumped rubbish, damaged cars, and in-fighting, while traders fear the impact during peak summer season. MP Ashley Fox blasted Somerset Council's 'unacceptable' 12-day delay in starting eviction proceedings, accusing it of doing 'as little as possible.' The council says legal timelines are out of their hands and a court hearing is set for July 25. Around 15 vehicles remain across two sites, with some expected to leave by Saturday.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
Anger at travellers taking over seaside town for fortnight - dumping nappies in sea
Residents in Burnham-on-Sea are furious after a group of travellers set up camp on the seafront lawns, causing disruption since July 13. Locals have reported dumped rubbish, damaged cars, and in-fighting, while traders fear the impact during peak summer season. MP Ashley Fox blasted Somerset Council's 'unacceptable' 12-day delay in starting eviction proceedings, accusing it of doing 'as little as possible.' The council says legal timelines are out of their hands and a court hearing is set for July 25. Around 15 vehicles remain across two sites, with some expected to leave by Saturday. Solve the daily Crossword
BBC News
23-07-2025
- BBC News
Headlines: 'Council home sell-off' and 'lakes drying up'
Here's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media. Our pick of local website stories Bristol 24/7 have reported on the council's plans to sell off up to 180 council homes that are "challenging to maintain" to raise nearly £5m to reinvest in social Council says it has "initiated legal steps" to remove a group of travellers that have pitched up on Burnham-on-Sea's Road in Swindon is set to undergo improvement works to improve safety and stop vehicles skidding. Our top three from yesterday Major incident as more than 60 homes evacuatedSuitcase killer 999 call: 'There's blood coming out of the suitcase'Sex, murder and bodies in suitcases - who were the men involved? What to watch on social media Pictures appearing to show Chew Valley Lake drying up have sparked concerns about a potential hosepipe Rail says it is carrying out "major resilience work" between the Severn Tunnel Junction and Gloucester to improve safety and reliability of the Wildlife Hospital's post about a badger cub that was found emaciated and drenched has attracted a lot of attention - with many saying it has become all too common.
