News in Shepton Mallet

A building in Shapway Lane, Evercreech, was evacuated yesterday after a lift motor caught fire.

Just before 11am yesterday (August 27), Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service received a call reporting smoke within the property coming from a lift shaft.

Superb weather and a wealth of displays and entertainments made The Way We Were a smash hit with the record-breaking number of visitors who came to the East Somerset Railway at Cranmore over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Vintage bus rides courtesy of Kelvin Amos were enjoyed by a large number of people who could enjoy a trip around the village or travel to and from Shepton Mallet or Wells to the event throughout the weekend.

A selection of promising young vets will be battling it out for the title of Dairy Industry Vet of the Future at this year's Dairy Show, which is held at the Bath and West Showground near Shepton Mallet, having been shortlisted out of the brightest and best of the industry.

"Vets are an important part of any dairy farm, and this competition recognises the best dairy vets for the future," said Alan Lyons, head of shows at the Royal Bath and West Society.

Approval has been given by Mendip planners for the change of use of the former Shepton Mallet Police Station to a nine-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO).

The green light was given this week to the plan by Property Fast Track to convert the former station in Commercial Road into an HMO with associated internal and external alterations, and five off-street parking spaces.

Students at Whitstone School in Shepton Mallet are celebrating their GCSE results.

The vast majority of students were successful in securing their first choice college and apprenticeship placements.

Shepton Mallet's unbeaten start to this season continued at Bridport yesterday evening (August 20) with an impressive 3-0 win.

The whole side played well, with Jack Fillingham making a quickfire start with his second double strike in four days, scoring after 11 and 12 minutes.

Sunday saw the 167th Mid-Somerset Show take place in Shepton Mallet.

With the sun out, the one-day agricultural show attracted more than 15,000 people to see an array of countryside events for all the family.

A petition has been launched to make sure the community has its say in Evercreech against the proposed demolition of the former Greencore factory site.

A planning application has been made for the demolition of all above-ground structures on the former Greencore site in Prestleigh Road including removal of floor slabs, foundations and hardstanding areas.

Awards have been given to businesses for being dementia friendly

New research from the University of Edinburgh has disproved the perception that pain from hip and knee arthritis is only mildly discomforting and that surgery is an option, as the results of the study show that one in five patients waiting for a hip replacement are experiencing an extreme level of pain.

The results have been welcomed by orthopaedic surgeons at Shepton Mallet NHS Treatment Centre, which is part of a patient's choice of where they can receive treatment.