News in Shepton Mallet

This week's job of the week on Nub News - do you want to make a real difference to a young person's life and opportunities?

Then this could be a perfect job for you.

It was a pleasure to introduce the Reverend Jonathan Hunter Dunn to say a few words and the Fairy Godmother to lead the countdown at our Christmas lights switch on event last Friday. Which went ahead after a few technical niggles and our contractors fighting through traffic.

Everyone, whilst apprehensive for the switch on was patient for a few minutes whilst Mendip Brass Band played jolly Christmas tunes until we could flick the switch and the centre of town was finally lit up with our new lights. Thanks to those who came out and for buying mince pies (kindly donated by Denela's) and mulled cider (donated by Stone's Cider), supporting the Rotary Club who served it up.

If you heard sirens yesterday (December 8) at around 5pm this is why.

They were called out to a road crash in Ditcheat at 4.57 pm.

A green rubbish collection revolution is quietly underway for the Somerset Waste Partnership as it takes on its first electric collection truck.

After a successful three-month trial in the Bridgwater area, an electric refuse vehicle has been bought and will be used on routes across the county.

The iconic brand, synonymous with party time in the decades of the 50s, 60s and 1970s Baycham is coming back to Shepton Mallet.

Full plans for the brand won't be announced next year, but the bubbles will be made in Shepton.

They'll be serving plenty of Christmas cheer in the city of Wells as the festive mega-market sets up stall on Saturday 11th December, and again on Saturday 18th December.

The much-anticipated 'Christmas in Wells' takes place in the Market Place, stretching all the way through to the Bishop's Palace Green.

PCC Mark Shelford has launched a survey asking local people if they would pay an increase in the policing part of the council tax.

Local policing is funded by a combination of Home Office and other grants as well as council tax contributions, which is known as the precept.

The campaign to save a local mental health ward continued in Wells with around ten people at Priory Park, yesterday (December 4).

Campaigners asked passing cars to beep support, and then went on to leaflet at Tesco's and at the market, where they tried to engage as many people as possible - many of who were not aware of plans to close the mental health ward.

Harassment and Illegal Evictions will not be tolerated. That's the strong message from Mendip District Council, whose housing officers are determined to root out rogue landlords.

Working with colleagues in Avon and Somerset Police, Mendip's Housing Options team and Private Sector Housing team are targeting landlords found flouting the law. The aim of the action is to protect those tenants who feel hassled or threatened in their chosen homes.

District councils in Mendip, South Somerset, Sedgemoor and Somerset West and Taunton have been working with the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) to secure funding to deliver energy efficiency improvements to park homes across Somerset.

Today (Friday 3rd December) is Fuel Poverty Awareness Day and the partnership can proudly announce as part of the energy efficiency push, four key park home sites across the county were identified where park homeowners could benefit from the insulation works.