News in Shepton Mallet

The pupils at Ashcott School thoroughly enjoyed a virtual visit to their classroom from the author Abi Elphinstone this term.

Each participating child received a personalised and signed copy of Abi's latest book Jungle Drop. All this was provided by the Wells Festival of Literature.

Shepton Mallet Town Council has today (October 15) published its first town plan, which is a document that sets out the strategic vision for the council for the next four years.

Based on input from hundreds of community members over the past 12 months, the plan explains what the council will be focussing on and investing in.

The government has blown the starting whistle on the race to decide the future shape of local government in Somerset.

Somerset's existing five councils have put forward competing proposals for how the county should be run in the future.

Avon and Somerset Police have charged a man with murder following an incident in Oakhill last week in which a 52-year-old man died.

Officers had been called to a property in The Old Maltings at just after noon on Thursday October 8.

Shepton Mallet has witnessed an unusual flock of birds migrate to its streets this autumn.

As a result of the cancellation of the usual floral hanging baskets in its town centre due to the coronavirus pandemic, Shepton Mallet Town Council decided to commission a different kind of display instead.

After a tumultuous year for the private rented sector, landlords should be aware of a further notification from the Government regarding energy performance in rented properties.

Local property management agent, Stuarts Residential, has suggested Shepton Mallet landlords make their opinions known regarding these latest proposals.

A new £500 cash payment, intended to make it easier for people who can't afford to self-isolate for up to 14 days, is available to Mendip residents from today (Monday, 12th October).

Mendip District Council will be administering the 'Test and Trace Support Payment' for its residents. Applications to the scheme are open now, and can be backdated from 28th September onwards, where qualifying conditions are met. The support scheme is due to run until Friday, 31st January 2021.

A road in Stoke St Michael is scheduled to be closed for five days for roadworks this week.

Limekiln Lane is set to be shut between 8.30am and 4.30pm from Monday (October 12) to Friday (October 16).

An animal lover from Shepton Mallet braved torrential rain to run the virtual London Marathon for the Donkey Sanctuary recently.

Like thousands of others, Cobi Snelson was preparing to take part in the London Marathon in April, but the event was postponed due to Covid-19.

The East Somerset Railway in Cranmore will be welcoming Santa again this year - and offering its Santa Special train rides.

Santa will be operating a little differently due to the Covid-19 restrictions, and will be setting up home in his grotto on the platform of the North Pole Station where the festive team are able to maintain social distancing.