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
Four generations keep family salon open for 80 years
A hairdressing salon run by the same family for four generations has celebrated its 80th anniversary. Chris and Co was opened in 1946 on Bridgwater High Street by Graham and Kathleen Hodgson in the aftermath of World War Two, and is now run by their granddaughter Sara Hill and her daughter Amelie on North Street. Hill said her grandparents would be "really pleased" to see it is still going.
Four generations keep family salon open for 80 years
Charlie Taylor - BBC Radio Somerset; Cheryl Dennis; Chris Lockyer - Somerset Tue, November 10, 2026 at 1:58 PM EST 2 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Add Yahoo on Google Sara, her father Chris, and daughter Amelie are marking 80 years in business [BBC] A hairdressing salon run by the same family for four generations has celebrated its 80th anniversary.
'How AI helped me remember my grandad'
Simon Parkin - BBC Radio Somerset; Chris Lockyer - Somerset Tue, November 10, 2026 at 1:22 AM EST 3 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Add Yahoo on Google Anthony Southwell was killed by a German bomber in 1942 [Raccus] A film of a pilot officer who died during the Second World War has been made by his grandson using artificial intelligence.
Could Somerset pub be the oldest in England?
Being England's oldest pub is a title claimed by a number of establishments across the country. Pubs in Nottingham, St Albans and Lincolnshire have all, in the past, claimed to be that very establishment - but one pub in Somerset may have a stronger claim than its rivals. The George Inn, in Norton St Philip, south of Bath, is the focus of that elusive claim of being the country's oldest pub - thanks to some investigative work by Historic England.
Satellite images reveal scale of reservoirs' decline
Follow Satellite images reveal scale of reservoirs' decline Dan Ayers - Somerset; Chris Lockyer - Somerset Fri, October 23, 2026 at 1:44 AM EDT New satellite images reveal the scale of reservoirs' reduction across the south-west of England. Wimbleball Lake on Exmoor in Somerset, which provides drinking water to about 400,000 people in Devon, was full in March 2026 but by October reached as low as 13% of capacity, and was named by the Environment Agency as "exceptionally low".
Somerset in 'most challenging' places to be a child
Low spend on youth services, instability for children in care and missing deadlines to deliver care plans for young people with additional needs have been identified as barriers to growing up in Somerset. Children's Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza's latest report into childhood outcomes has placed Somerset as the 11th "most challenging" place to grow up in England.
'Shoplifting is getting worse - but police won't help'
Shoplifting in a market town has become a "nightmare", according to some of the businesses based there. Casey Stoddart, owner of Burns the Bread bakery in Glastonbury, Somerset, said the problem is becoming a daily occurrence, leaving him concerned about the impact it is having on his staff. He said businesses are encouraged to report the incidents, but added police often fail to investigate, due to the low value of the items stolen.
'Strong and brave' heritage railway chairman dies
Follow 'Strong and brave' heritage railway chairman dies Thu, October 15, 2026 at 10:14 AM EDT Jonathan Jones-Pratt has passed away [Jack Boskett] Tributes have been paid to the chairman of the country's longest heritage railway, who has passed away at the age of 42. Jonathan Jones-Pratt ran the West Somerset Railway since 2019 and is credited by the company with guiding it through a "challenging" period.
New exhibition to show secrets of pier restoration
New pictures and artefacts are going on display to offer people a rare look into one of the UK's largest pier restorations. An exhibition is opening next month showcasing a gallery of behind-the-scenes photographs depicting work to revamp the Victorian Birnbeck Pier at Weston-super-Mare in Somerset. The event at Weston Museum will also include metalwork from the original pier, which first opened in 1867, as well as "unusual finds" uncovered during the £20m restoration project.
M5 fully closed following two-vehicle crash
The M5 has been shut in both directions in Somerset after a crash involving two vehicles. National Highways said traffic had been stopped between junction 25 at Taunton and junction 24 at Bridgwater. Avon and Somerset Police said one person had been airlifted to hospital and other emergency services were at the scene. Drivers have been advised to use alternative routes. However, roads through North Petherton into Bridgwater are reportedly already very busy. Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X.
'Icon of the ice age' shows what can be found in caves
'Icon of the ice age' shows what can be found in caves Tue, October 13, 2026 at 5:20 a.m. UTC Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. The skull belongs to a woolly rhino [Wells and Mendip Museum] The skull of a woolly rhino dating back about 50,000 years has been put on display a few miles from where it was found. Along with other parts of the skeleton, it was discovered in 2025 at Fairy Cave Quarry on the Mendip Hills in Somerset.
'Icon of the ice age' shows what can be found in caves
The skull belongs to a woolly rhino [Wells and Mendip Museum] The skull of a woolly rhino dating back about 50,000 years has been put on display a few miles from where it was found. Along with other parts of the skeleton, it was discovered in 2025 at Fairy Cave Quarry on the Mendip Hills in Somerset. Cave archaeologist Vince Simmonds said the find had helped show the public what discoveries can emerge from cave sites.
'Icon of the ice age' shows what can be found in caves
Follow 'Icon of the ice age' shows what can be found in caves Tue, October 13, 2026 at 1:20 AM EDT The skull belongs to a woolly rhino [Wells and Mendip Museum] The skull of a woolly rhino dating back about 50,000 years has been put on display a few miles from where it was found. Along with other parts of the skeleton, it was discovered in 2025 at Fairy Cave Quarry on the Mendip Hills in Somerset.
'Icon of the ice age' shows what can be found in caves
The skull of a woolly rhino dating back about 50,000 years has been put on display a few miles from where it was found. Along with other parts of the skeleton, it was discovered in 2025 at Fairy Cave Quarry on the Mendip Hills in Somerset. Cave archaeologist Vince Simmonds said the find had helped show the public what discoveries can emerge from cave sites. It has been put on display at the nearby Wells and Mendip Museum, where leaders have described the find as "rare" and "very unusual".
'Icon of the ice age' shows what can be found in caves
The skull belongs to a woolly rhino [Wells and Mendip Museum] The skull of a woolly rhino dating back about 50,000 years has been put on display a few miles from where it was found. Along with other parts of the skeleton, it was discovered in 2025 at Fairy Cave Quarry on the Mendip Hills in Somerset. Cave archaeologist Vince Simmonds said the find had helped show the public what discoveries can emerge from cave sites.
The 130-year-old chimney nobody wants to own
Follow The 130-year-old chimney nobody wants to own Charlie Taylor - Presenter, BBC Radio Somerset; Chris Lockyer - Somerset Sat, October 10, 2026 at 2:09 PM EDT The chimney was offered at auction for between £2,000 and £3,000 [Symonds and Sampson] A chimney stack attached to a former brewery failed to tantalise any prospective buyers at auction - and could not even be given away for free.
Carnival fundraising 'distracted' by Royal visit
Follow Carnival fundraising 'distracted' by Royal visit Charlie Taylor - Presenter, Radio Somerset; Chris Lockyer - Somerset Fri, October 9, 2026 at 5:29 AM EDT Prince William visited Ilminster days after is carnival was ended early due to a gas leak [PA Media] A carnival committee says its fundraising efforts after a gas leak ended its procession have been "distracted" by a visit to the town by Prince William and Ross Kemp.
Theatre to permanently close as 23 jobs axed
Follow Theatre to permanently close as 23 jobs axed Charlie Taylor - Presenter, BBC Radio Somerset; Chris Lockyer - Somerset Wed, October 7, 2026 at 1:54 AM EDT Chair of the theatre association Val Hammond says it wasn't possible to save the Brewhouse [BBC] A theatre will close at the end of the month due to serious financial difficulties, as 23 jobs have been axed.
Fears road closure could leave town 'desolate'
Follow Fears road closure could leave town 'desolate' Chris Lockyer; Ross Pollard Mon, October 5, 2026 at 12:22 PM EDT John Richards from the town fears the closure is a 'final nail in the coffin' for Watchet [BBC] Multiple road closures has left a town "desolate", with only one route open to motorists while buses have been suspended. Brendon Road in Watchet, Somerset, has closed for six weeks for gas works, while the B3191 is shut due to cliff erosion.
Complaints about animal sales at Bridgwater Fair
Follow Complaints about animal sales at Bridgwater Fair Fri, October 2, 2026 at 10:26 AM EDT Bridgwater Fair has been running for centuries [BBC] One of the oldest town fairs in the country is being investigated following claims vendors were selling dogs, cats and poultry without a licence and in poor condition. Bridgwater Town Council, along with the RSPCA and Somerset Council, said it was "aware of concerns" surrounding the sale and welfare of animals at Bridgwater Fair.
Two people die after serious crash
Two people have died on the A358 near Taunton Two people have died following a crash between two vehicles. A white Mazda Bongo van was involved in a collision with a Volvo lorry in Combe Florey, near Taunton, Somerset, at about 06:40 BST on Wednesday, said police. The two occupants of the van died at the scene and their families have been informed. The A358 is closed at West Bagborough between Williton and Taunton, with bus services unable to operate between the two areas.
Two people die after serious crash
Two people die after serious crash Chris Lockyer; Clara Bullock - Somerset Wed, September 30, 2026 at 1:16 p.m. UTC Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Two people have died on the A358 near Taunton [Google] Two people have died following a crash between two vehicles. A white Mazda Bongo van was involved in a collision with a Volvo lorry in Combe Florey, near Taunton, Somerset, at about 06:40 BST on Wednesday, said police.
Two people die after serious crash
Follow Two people die after serious crash Chris Lockyer; Clara Bullock - Somerset Wed, September 30, 2026 at 9:16 AM EDT Two people have died on the A358 near Taunton [Google] Two people have died following a crash between two vehicles. A white Mazda Bongo van was involved in a collision with a Volvo lorry in Combe Florey, near Taunton, Somerset, at about 06:40 BST on Wednesday, said police. The two occupants of the van died at the scene and their families have been informed.
Booker Prize nominee praises his school teachers
An author whose latest book has been nominated for the prestigious Booker Prize said childhood boredom inspired his creativity. Luke Kennard, who grew up in Chard in Somerset, has been shortlisted for Black Bag, which is based on an experiment involving an actor sitting in a bag at the back of a lecture hall. He said, as a child, he had "quite a lot of time to practice" his creative passions.
Booker Prize nominee praises his school teachers
Booker Prize nominee praises his school teachers Tue, September 29, 2026 at 2:54 p.m. UTC Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Luke Kennard attended Holyrood Academy in Chard [Luke Kennard] An author whose latest book has been nominated for the prestigious Booker Prize said childhood boredom inspired his creativity.
Booker Prize nominee praises his school teachers
Booker Prize nominee praises his school teachers Tue 29 September 2026 at 2:54 pm UTC Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Luke Kennard attended Holyrood Academy in Chard [Luke Kennard] An author whose latest book has been nominated for the prestigious Booker Prize said childhood boredom inspired his creativity.
Booker Prize nominee praises his school teachers
Chris Lockyer - Somerset Tue, 29 September 2026 at 2:54 pm UTC 2 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Luke Kennard attended Holyrood Academy in Chard [Luke Kennard] An author whose latest book has been nominated for the prestigious Booker Prize said childhood boredom inspired his creativity.
Booker Prize nominee praises his school teachers
An author whose latest book has been nominated for the prestigious Booker Prize said childhood boredom inspired his creativity. Luke Kennard, who grew up in Chard in Somerset, has been shortlisted for Black Bag, which is based on an experiment involving an actor sitting in a bin bag at the back of a lecture hall. He said, as a child, he had "quite a lot of time to practice" his creative passions.
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.
Campaigners cause house building plan to be paused
Councillors approved the development but it has been challenged by campaigners Plans to build 750 new homes by the side of a motorway could be reversed, after campaigners requested the decision be "called in". Somerset Council approved plans for the housing between Bridgwater and the M5 at Bower Lane earlier in September, but a holding direction has been granted after a request from the Somerset Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE).
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
New film sees cider mill swap good apples for bad Sun, September 20, 2026 at 6:41 a.m. UTC Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Saoirse Ronan stars in the dark comedy - filmed partly in Somerset [Pulse Films] 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.
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