Weston-super-Mare news, events and sport

Gallery Picture Past; School mergers, leading ladies, and hospital woes

Yesterday, 16:00 Gareth Newnham

Banwell Autumn Farye at St Andrew's Hall Banwell raised over £190 towards funds for the decoration of the nave at the parish church. Picture: WESTON MERCURY

The switch to the comprehensive school system in 1971 saw Somerset County Education Committee propose a merger of several Weston schools, 50 years ago this week.

MP candidates to debate health at hustings

Yesterday, 11:58 Tom Wright

Weston General Hospital and A & E Department.

The candidates standing to be Weston's next MP will take part in a debate on health later this month.

Gallery PICTURES: Weston events and sights dominate iWitness24

Yesterday, 10:58 Lily Newton-Browne

Talented Midweek readers have sent in snapshots of Weston Beach Race and stunning landscapes to iWitness24.

Updated M5 reopens following six hour closure due to 'serious accident'

Yesterday, 07:37 Tom Wright

Traffic is being turned around at jjunction 22. Picture: Highways England

A 'serious incident' forced the closure the M5 this morning (Saturday) - but after six hours, it has reopened.

Nursery struck by lightning to be rebuilt and reopen in 2020

Yesterday, 06:45 Henry Woodsford

Ready Steady Go nursery was struck by lightning. Picture: MARK ATHERTON

A Worle nursery which was damaged by lightning earlier this year aims to reopen in February 2020.

Call for volunteers to support veterans

Fri, 17:00 Vicky Angear

SSAFA volunteer case workers Martha Luke, Keith Powis, Anne Kerruish and Lloyd Rosentall with SSAFA divisional coordinator Paul Denovan. Picture: MARK ATHERTON

A charity which supports veterans and their families is looking for more volunteers to help people who have served in the armed forces.

Pub gutted by fire could rise from the ashes

Fri, 16:50 Gareth Newnham

Plans to rebuild and improve a town pub which was devastated by fire have been submitted.

Artists to showcase work in Wrington

Yesterday, 14:00 Vicky Angear

The arts fair is taking place in the Memorial Hall.

Paintings, sketches, ceramics and photography will be on display at an arts fair in Wrington later this month.

Pub gutted by fire could rise from the ashes

Fri, 16:50 Gareth Newnham

Plans to rebuild and improve a town pub which was devastated by fire have been submitted.

Win Win tickets to see McCartney - The Songbook at the Playhouse Theatre

Fri, 12:12 Gareth Newnham

The McCartney Songbook will be performed at the Playhouse. Picture: Prestige Productions

An 'amazing showcase' of music from one of the greatest songwriters of all time will feature in a new show heading to Weston's Playhouse next year, and readers could win tickets to see the show.

Five things to do this weekend: Marvin Muoneke puts on jazz show

Fri, 12:00 Mellissa Dzinzi

The cold is no excuse to stop attending events especially in Weston as there is always something to do.

Award-winning folk singer Bella Hardy brings Postcards and Pocketbooks to Bristol's Folk House

Fri, 09:34 Gareth Newnham

BBC folk singer of the year Bella Hardy heads to Bristol's Folk House tonight (Friday).

Video DJ Judge Jules to star at Tropicana

Tue, 14:59 Tom Wright

$Join Judge Jules at Vivid in Ilfracombe. Picture: Ryan Dinham$

One of the country's best-known DJs will be entertaining a huge crowd in Weston this month.

Award-winning show to be performed in North Somerset this week

Mon, 19:08 Henry Woodsford

Little Earthquake will perform I Ain�t Afraid Of No Ghost at the Theatre Shop. Picture: Jessica Oates

Theatre goers will be transported back to the 1980s in an award-winning show.

Childminder found guilty of injuring 'screaming' child

Tue, 16:37 Gareth Newnham & Tom Wright

Sasha Scott was found guilty by a jury at Bristol Crown Court.

A Weston childminder has today (Tuesday) been found guilty of causing injuries to a girl in her care.

Weston childminder accused of neglect defended by colleagues and parents

Mon, 16:39 Gareth Newnham

An experienced childminder from Weston accused of neglect has been defended by colleagues, and parents of children in her care who described her as 'kind, caring, nurturing, patient and trustworthy'.

Man boasted about sexually abusing a child online and distributed indecent images

Mon, 07:00 Sam Frost

A Locking man possessed thousands of indecent images of children and boasted online about sexually abusing a child, a court has heard.

Nursery struck by lightning to be rebuilt and reopen in 2020

Yesterday, 06:45 Henry Woodsford

A Worle nursery which was damaged by lightning earlier this year aims to reopen in February 2020.

Pupils compete in wheelchair basketball match

Thu, 17:00 Vicky Angear

Pupils from Burrington Primary School learning to master wheelchair basketball.

Children from Burrington were given the chance to try out wheelchair basketball.

Pupils treated to school trip for good behaviour

Thu, 11:00 Vicky Angear

Windwhistle School children who have won golden merit points. Picture: MARK ATHERTON

Children from a Weston school were treated to a trip to Puxton Park to reward them for their good behaviour and attitude.

Southern League: Weston 1 Chesham United 2

Yesterday, 17:44

Weston saw their unbeaten home record in the Southern League ended by leaders Chesham on Saturday.

Rugby: Weston team news November 16

Fri, 16:52

Weston are set to play host to Newbury in the South West Premier on Saturday.

Rugby: Chippping Sodbury 26 Winscombe 8

Wed, 13:00

Winscombe were left empty handed after a 26-8 loss at Chipping Sodbury in Western Counties North.

Athletics: Weston AC members shine at Burnham Winter Series

Wed, 09:00

Weston AC's Ben Haines, Susan Duncan and Kieron Summers in distinctive green at the Burnham Winter Series 5k (pic Burnham on Sea Swim & Sports Academy)

Weston AC members joined forces for three age group wins, three podiums and five top-10 spots at the latest Burnham Winter Series 5k.

Somerset Cup: Paulton Rovers 1 Weston 4

Tue, 21:37 Josh Thomas

Signage outside the Paulton Rovers ground (pic Josh Thomas)

Weston's defence of the Somerset Cup started with a comfortable come from behind 4-1 win over Paulton Rovers on Tuesday.

Golf: Mendip Spring make donation to Alzheimer's Society

Tue, 17:00

Mendip Spring club captain Martin Yates, seniors captain Andy Ashford and ladies captain Sarah Nancholas present a cheque to Sian Johnson from the Alzheimer's Society

Mendip Spring Golf Club's captains presented a cheque for £8,196 to the Alzheimer's Society after a successful year of fundraising.

Hockey: Winscombe Ladies suffer late loss

Tue, 13:00

Winscombe Ladies fell to a late 1-0 defeat at high-flying Firebrands in Premier 2B.

Southern baked chicken restaurant to open in Weston

Thu, 12:00 Vicky Angear

Steve Fowell opening new baked chicken restaurant named after his grandsons Oscar and Ollie. Picture: MARK ATHERTON

A new restaurant specialising in southern baked chicken is opening to customers in Weston-super-Mare this week.

'Resident fun pass' for Westonians could offer discounts to town's top attractions

Friday, November 8, 2019 Henry Woodsford

Cllr Mike Bell outside the Water Park on the sea front. Picture: MARK ATHERTON

A 'residents' fun pass' for Westonians, which would offer discounts at top attractions, will 'give something back' to people of the town.

New pub and kitchen opens in Weston town centre

Tuesday, November 5, 2019 Henry Woodsford

Opening of the Fork 'n' Ale pub, Rich Frost, Sean Cummings, Andy Bidmead and Dave Turner. Picture: MARK ATHERTON

A Hewish-based brewery has opened its first pub and eatery in Weston-super-Mare town centre.

Weston High Street welcomes new travel firm with old staff

Tuesday, November 5, 2019 Mellissa Dzinzi

Former Thomas Cook staff, Sam Black, Louise James and Paul Doble now working for Hays Travel. Picture: MARK ATHERTON

Weston Thomas Cook staff who lost their jobs last month are back at work, thanks to another travel company.

Hotel demolition plans delayed 'until autumn 2020'

Tuesday, November 5, 2019 Tom Wright

Plans to knock down a derelict hotel to make way for a hydro-electric power system have been delayed by a year.

Free parking at two Weston car parks in run up to Christmas

Monday, November 4, 2019 Tom Wright

Parking fines will not be dished out in North Somerset or Sedgemoor car parks at weekends in the run up to Christmas. Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Motorists will be able to park for free in Weston at weekends in the run up to Christmas.

Fish and chip shop to close in Weston

Sunday, November 3, 2019 Lily Newton-Browne

Catch fish and chip shop, in Weston.Picture: Google Street View

A Weston business owner has decided to close his fish and chip shop to travel around the world with his family.

Opinion REVIEW: Guardian food writer Felicity Cloake gives insightful talk at Wells Festival of Literature

Monday, October 28, 2019 Lily Newton-Browne

Felicity Cloake talks French cooking at Wells Festival Of Literature.Picture: Donna Kynaston

Award-winning Guardian food columnist, Felicity Cloake, gave a passionate talk about her latest book at Wells Festival of Literature this month, where she spoke about her tour around France by bike to sample the best of the country's culinary offerings.