Latest news with #WestSomerset
BBC News
31-07-2025
- 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".
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Groups launch joint effort for community pool
Two community groups are working to try and secure funding for a new public swimming pool in Minehead. The town, home to the Butlins leisure resort, has not had a public pool since the closure of the Aquasplash facility in 2008 on the grounds it was not cost effective. Minehead Health and Well-Being (MH&WB) and Minehead Swimming and Leisure (MSL) say they want to develop land off Irham Road to be run as a cooperative. Both groups say they will raise funding, but no formal bids have been made yet. More news stories for Somerset Listen to the latest news for Somerset Somerset Council said: "Minehead Health and Well-Being has made contact with our officers to discuss the project, and has outlined its intention to continue to develop the concept with the support of Minehead Town Council". Bruce Lang, a director of Minehead Health and Well-Being, said: "Our directors have considerable experience in project development, local government, finance, public health, fundraising, leisure, swimming development and education. "MSL has wide experience in community consultation and structures. We make an ideal partnership. "There is a lot of work to do, but by working together and combining our local knowledge and expertise, we hope to deliver a project that will benefit all of the local Minehead and west Somerset community." Peter Wellstood, founding director of Minehead Swimming & Leisure, said: "We have a lot in common when it comes to our ambitions for the local community, and we view our coming together as a real boost towards finally making the facility a reality. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the groups' joint vision entails the construction of a 25-metre pool suitable for year-round use, along with a fully-equipped gym. The pool would also be used as a base for the West Somerset GP exercise referral scheme. Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Town to take over parks and play areas in £123k deal Sailing club to restart after harbour fee back down Community pool must raise thousands to 'survive' Somerset Council Local Democracy Reporting Service
BBC News
24-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Minehead community pool campaign launched by two groups
Two community groups are working to try and secure funding for a new public swimming pool in town, home to the Butlins leisure resort, has not had a public pool since the closure of the Aquasplash facility in 2008 on the grounds it was not cost effective. Minehead Health and Well-Being (MH&WB) and Minehead Swimming and Leisure (MSL) say they want to develop land off Irham Road to be run as a cooperative. Both groups say they will raise funding, but no formal bids have been made yet. Somerset Council said: "Minehead Health and Well-Being has made contact with our officers to discuss the project, and has outlined its intention to continue to develop the concept with the support of Minehead Town Council".Bruce Lang, a director of Minehead Health and Well-Being, said: "Our directors have considerable experience in project development, local government, finance, public health, fundraising, leisure, swimming development and education."MSL has wide experience in community consultation and structures. We make an ideal partnership."There is a lot of work to do, but by working together and combining our local knowledge and expertise, we hope to deliver a project that will benefit all of the local Minehead and west Somerset community."Peter Wellstood, founding director of Minehead Swimming & Leisure, said: "We have a lot in common when it comes to our ambitions for the local community, and we view our coming together as a real boost towards finally making the facility a to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the groups' joint vision entails the construction of a 25-metre pool suitable for year-round use, along with a fully-equipped pool would also be used as a base for the West Somerset GP exercise referral scheme.
