Chris Lockyer
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Journalist in the west of England. @TrentUni grad. @mradamscott once said it was a ‘privilege’ to talk to me. He/him.
Articles by Chris Lockyer
Abandoned store to become shopping arcade and flats
Follow Abandoned store to become shopping arcade and flats Mon, September 28, 2026 at 1:14 AM EDT The old Debenhams building in Taunton will be used for retail and homes [BBC] A department store which closed more than five years ago and has remained empty ever since, could now be transformed into a new shopping arcade and flats. The 7,815 sq m (84,127 sq ft) former Debenhams store sits over five floors in a prominent location in Taunton's town centre.
Coastal path sign that sent millions on their way up for auction
The unassuming wooden post that guided millions of people at the start of the South West Coast Path The South West Coast Path welcomes nine million walkers a year - and the start of the journey in Somerset has been marked by a simple wooden post for decades. The fingerpost in Minehead tells walkers heading on their way that it is 629.75 miles to where the path ends in Poole Harbour, Dorset.
Coastal path sign that sent millions on their way up for auction
Follow Coastal path sign that sent millions on their way up for auction Fri, September 25, 2026 at 9:25 AM EDT The unassuming wooden post that guided millions of people at the start of the South West Coast Path [Graham Eaves] The South West Coast Path welcomes nine million walkers a year - and the start of the journey in Somerset has been marked by a simple wooden post for decades.
New film sees cider mill swap good apples for bad
Somerset is known the world over for its good cider-making apples, but a new film set in the county might be about to change that. New film Bad Apples tells the story of a teacher, played by actress Saoirse Ronan, who gets so wound up by an unruly student at her school that she kidnaps and locks him in her basement. It was filmed across Somerset and Bristol, and also stars Bristol boy Jacob Anderson and schoolchildren from the area.
'Disappointment' at damage to 4,000-year-old mound
The Bronze Age monument is no longer a mound after rocks were removed A ranger says he is disappointed after rocks were removed from a 4,000-year-old Bronze Age burial mound. The damage to the scheduled monument, known as Fire Beacon Cairn, near Crowcombe on the Quantock Hills National Landscape in Somerset, was seen by a landowner on two occasions, and reported to the local rangers and Historic England.
Veteran who was homeless sets up support group
Chris Brandes said he set up a group for fellow veterans to offer them support A former military veteran from Bridgwater who spent time in homeless accommodation has set up an online support group for other ex-soldiers after he managed to turn his own life around. Chris Brandes, who was in the Royal Logistics Corp, was made homeless in 2023 following the breakdown of a relationship and he ended up staying in sheltered accommodation in Taunton.
Why shining a laser at an air ambulance could be 'catastrophic'
Follow Why shining a laser at an air ambulance could be 'catastrophic' Fri, September 11, 2026 at 1:24 AM EDT A pilot has warned against targeting air ambulances with lasers [Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance] An air ambulance pilot has warned shining laser-pointers at an aircraft could end up having "catastrophic" consequences.
Why shining a laser at an air ambulance could be 'catastrophic'
An air ambulance pilot has warned shining laser-pointers at an aircraft could end up having "catastrophic" consequences. His warning comes as the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) released its latest statistics, finding in the 18 months to June 2026 there were 129 incidents of air ambulances being target by the devices. The CAA said the illegal activity was a nationwide problem but highlighted specific cases in places like Taunton, Somerset, and Torquay and Plymouth in Devon.
Why shining a laser at an air ambulance could be 'catastrophic'
An air ambulance pilot has warned shining laser-pointers at an aircraft could end up having "catastrophic" consequences. His warning comes as the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) released its latest statistics, finding in the 18 months to June 2026 there were 129 incidents of air ambulances being target by the devices. The CAA said the illegal activity was a nationwide problem but highlighted specific cases in places like Taunton, Somerset, and Torquay and Plymouth in Devon.
Allow carnival clubs to use cheaper red diesel - MP
A Somerset MP is lobbying the government to ask it to allow carnival clubs to use red diesel as a cost-saving measure. Conservative MP for Bridgwater Sir Ashley Fox believes allowing the clubs to use the fuel, which is taxed a lower rate, could prevent some clubs from folding due to costs. Guy Fawkes Carnival said it welcomed the support, and added that it wanted to find ways to make their carnivals cleaner and more sustainable in the future.
Asian hornet nest found in Somerset for first time
Follow Asian hornet nest found in Somerset for first time Wed, September 2, 2026 at 2:54 PM EDT A beekeeper spotted the Asian Hornet at his beehives near Street [Barry Hulatt] A nest of yellow-legged Asian hornets has been discovered in Somerset for the first time, the government has said. The predatory insects, as their name suggests, are native to Asia, but have been growing in numbers across Europe since the 2000s and have become a problem in the Channel Islands.
MP criticises Channel 4 documentary about ADHD
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MP criticises Channel 4 documentary about ADHD
An MP with ADHD has criticised a Channel 4 documentary about the condition, claiming it was "unfactual". Describing the documentary as "boring", Liberal Democrat MP for Yeovil Adam Dance said some aspects of the documentary were "not reflective of real life". The programme, entitled The Great ADHD Myth?, was broadcast on Tuesday and its host, NHS psychiatrist Dr Max Pemberton, concluded ADHD was "a social construct, not a disorder of the brain".
MP criticises Channel 4 documentary about ADHD
An MP with ADHD has criticised a Channel 4 documentary about the condition, claiming it was "unfactual". Describing the documentary as "boring", Liberal Democrat MP for Yeovil Adam Dance said some aspects of the documentary were "not reflective of real life". The programme, entitled The Great ADHD Myth?, was broadcast on Tuesday and its host, NHS psychiatrist Dr Max Pemberton, concluded ADHD was "a social construct, not a disorder of the brain".
New diagnostic centre to reduce scan waiting times
Follow New diagnostic centre to reduce scan waiting times Chris Lockyer - Somerset; Charlie Taylor - BBC Radio Somerset; Andy Howard Wed, August 19, 2026 at 7:07 AM EDT The new centre will provide 25,000 scans a year [BBC] A new £17.8m centre, which will be able to process up to 25,000 MRI and CT scans annually, has opened its doors, thanks to a grant from NHS England.
Ex neo-Nazi activist turns Tory council candidate
Follow Ex neo-Nazi activist turns Tory council candidate Tue, August 4, 2026 at 12:18 PM UTC Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Joshua Bonehill-Paine now speaks out against extremism [Contributed] A man who was jailed over his Neo-Nazi activism has revealed he will stand in upcoming council elections as a Conservative candidate.
Campaigners welcome start of rail-link bus
Follow Campaigners welcome start of rail-link bus Mon, August 3, 2026 at 2:55 PM UTC Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. The new service links Castle Cary and Glastonbury [BBC] A new bus link between a busy, rural railway station and a popular town has been launched. Somerset Council is funding the 567 RailLink bus for six months on a trial basis so it can assess customer demand.
Spider-Man double calls role 'childhood dream'
For Teifion Sussex, playing Spider-Man was something he'd trained for his entire life. Using YouTube tutorials, he would spend his time in his Somerset home learning parkour and martial arts moves, in the hope he would be called into action one day. Fast forward to 2026, and the 36-year-old can be seen on the big screen in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, as the VFX, motion-captured double of the titular hero.
Garden village plans lead to beauty spot fears
Campaigners say a development of up to 7,000 houses that could be built near a National Landscape could "destroy the area" if approved. A Freedom of Information (FOI) request revealed plans by housebuilder Taylor Wimpey to construct a new garden town stretching from south of Taunton and the M5 motorway down to the Blackdown Hills. Somerset Council asked developers to propose ideas for new housing projects as part of its Local Plan before some go to public consultation next year.
'Life-saver' homeless charity is awarded £50,000
Follow 'Life-saver' homeless charity is awarded £50,000 Mon, July 20, 2026 at 5:26 AM UTC Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Tyler has been visiting Open Door in Taunton for about a year [BBC] A homeless charity that offers daily respite to people sleeping rough has been given £50,000 by the Postcode Lottery. Open Door offers meals, drinks, laundry facilities and showers in Taunton, alongside health and addiction support.
Meet the teens tackling plastic water bottle waste
Imogen and Isaac are on a quest to eradicate single-use plastic water bottles from their village A group of teenagers, disappointed by the sight of single-use plastic water bottles being dumped in their village, have decided to take matters into their own hands and find a solution. Quench is a campaign run out of the village of Porlock, nestled among the Exmoor hills in Somerset, encouraging businesses to stop selling bottles of water - and instead offer free refill locations.
Condemned school reveals plans for new site
A school which has been partially closed for nearly three years due to safety concerns has revealed plans for its new site. The main building at Haygrove School in Bridgwater closed in 2023 after an inspection by the Department for Education (DfE) found it was structurally unsafe. The DfE said the new school, which will be north of Spaxton Road in Bridgwater, will be operational by September 2028, with the plans including a new sports and community space and transport facilities.
Losing allotment would be 'absolutely devastating'
A family who gardens and grows vegetables on a community allotment say it would be "absolutely devastating" if no new land can be found to continue. Forge Rhyne Allotments was set up in 2022 in Highbridge, Somerset, but its lease with the landowner is up in 2027, and is unable to be renewed. Martin, 47, who is a lorry driver by trade, started the plot as a way to improve his mental health, with no knowledge of gardening or building.
Railway route named as one of UK's favourite paths
Chris Lockyer - Somerset; Daniel Mumby - Local Democracy Reporting Service Thu, July 9, 2026 at 5:19 a.m. UTC 2 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. The Strawberry Line in Somerset has been nominated as one of the best paths in Britain [The Strawberry Line] A pathway that follows an old railway route linking the coast with a hilly landscape has been named as one of Britain's favourite paths.
Festival hails 'extraordinary support' in 25th year
Follow Festival hails 'extraordinary support' in 25th year The festival, which is described as being at the heart of the community, is in its 25th year [David Chedgey] A community festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary as organisers warn it is "constantly under threat" because of financial pressures. Frome Festival kicked off its latest edition on Thursday night, with a play written and performed by the previous director of the event.
The footballer swapping the pitch for the beach
All eyes are on the World Cup taking place across the Atlantic, but England also has an international beach women's football team which competes in major tournaments. Part of the side is Erin Bloomfield, who started her football career in Yeovil, and when she's not running a football academy in Dorset, she plays for the sand-based Lionesses. Travelling once a week to London to the only full-size pitch in the UK, she was encouraged to try beach football by a former Bournemouth team member.
New look for 600-year-old pub hit by car
Matt Faulkner - Langport; Chris Lockyer - Somerset Thu, June 11, 2026 at 2:07 PM UTC 2 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. The Langport Arms has had its front rebuilt using the original material [BBC] A pub which suffered severe damage when it was hit by a car two years ago has finally unveiled its new look.
CPS considering charges over fatal crash
Police investigating a fatal school coach crash have passed a file to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to consider charges. Oliver Price, 10, died from a head injury in July when a coach carrying pupils and staff from Minehead Middle School crashed near Wheddon Cross on Exmoor while travelling back from a school trip. A total of 21 other people were taken to hospital - all of whom have since been discharged.
Police to be investigated over fatal explosion
Jo Shaw - who died in the explosion - had the "biggest heart", her family said [Family Handout] The death of a woman and her former partner in an explosion is to be investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). Jo Shaw, 35, suffered fatal injuries in the blast at a house in Sterncourt Road on May 3. Her former partner, Ryan Kelly, 41, was also killed in the incident following the activation of an explosive device.
International sport 'puts Taunton on the map'
Taunton's County Ground is hosting international women's cricket [PA Media] Hosting international sporting contests is helping put a town "on the map" when it comes to encouraging investment, a business leader has said. England's women will take on India at the County Ground in Taunton later in their final T20 match before the World Cup, with 6,000 ticket holders expected at the town-centre venue.
Village will be 'unrecognisable' as 765 homes approved
The houses, which will triple the size of the village, are set to built near Yeovil [Somerset Council] Residents fear their village will be "unrecognisable" after the High Court ruled a development that will triple the number of homes in the area can go ahead. About 765 homes are now set to built in Mudford, near Yeovil. The village currently consists of 339 houses, and residents are concerned they will lose their rural identity.
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