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
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.
Blind ex-judo champ says running 'saved his life'
A former Team GB judo competitor who went blind as a teenager said losing his sporting career and carpentry job at the same time left him in a "dark" place and taking up running helped "save his life". Liam Harkness, 45, from Frome in Somerset, had a rare form of cataracts from the age of six and lost his sight completely due to eye infections at 15.
Roads 'not built to cope' with M5 closures
Roads around the M5 are not able to cope with the number of drivers which use them when the motorway closes, a council leader says. Bill Revans, leader of Somerset Council, has asked National Highways and Avon and Somerset Police if they can explore plans for the M5 together, which he said was closing with "significant regularity".
Pub runs 'stand-in summer' to keep doors open
Chris Kay (R), one of the pub's directors, is calling on volunteers to help keep the pub's doors open [The Waldegrave] Pub directors have called on an army of volunteers to help keep the venue's doors open while they hunt for a new tenant. The Waldegrave in East Harptree, Somerset, has been in community ownership since 2024, and up until April 2026, was run by a leaseholder.
Closed coastal road one step closer to reopening
Chris Lockyer Thu, May 14, 2026 at 9:19 a.m. UTC 2 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. The road has been closed since January 2023 [BBC] A road which was closed to traffic due to rapid coastal erosion is one step closer to reopening after help from the Department of Transport (DfT). The B3191 between Watchet and Blue Anchor in Somerset closed to traffic in January 2023, after it was deemed unsafe due to its close proximity to the edge of the cliff.
Council step closer to joining combined authority
North Somerset will join the West of England Combined Authority [PA Media] Councillors have voted to become part of a joint authority, which will manage decisions on issues such as transport and housing. North Somerset Council hopes to become part of the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) by the end of the year, after voting through proposals on Tuesday.
Emergency department 'stretched and overcrowded'
The RUH in Bristol is 'overcrowded', the CQC said [RUH Bath NHS Foundation Trust] "Enormous pressure" has been caused by staff shortages and overcrowding at an urgent care and emergency department, according to a new report. As a result, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has held the rating for Royal United Hospital (RUH) in Bath at "requires improvement".
Parking reinstated after council review
Salmon Parade will get some of its parking back [BBC] Parking is being reinstated on a major town centre road, following a review by the local council. As part of the Celebration Mile project in Bridgwater last year, parking on Salmon Parade was removed, and it was made into a one-way street. However, parking is now set to be reinstated after a petition against the changes, set up by the Somerset Council's Conservative opposition group, was signed by more than 6,000 people.
German pilot to get headstone after WW2 crash
Wilhelm Reuhl's grave will get a headstone 86 years after his death [Jeff Cox] The grave of a World War Two German pilot whose plane was shot down by a Spitfire will get a headstone 86 years after his death. Wilhelm Reuhl was buried in Hawcombe Cemetery with full military honours soon after crashing into Porlock Bay off the coast of Somerset.
Council bids for millions to reopen eroding coast road
The council wants cash to reopen a "key" coastal road [BBC] A council has made a bid to the government for funding to help reopen a coastal road that is crumbling into the sea. The B3191 in Watchet, Somerset, was hit with a permanent traffic regulation order in May last year, after it was found to be too unstable to allow vehicles through due to coastal erosion, though pedestrians remain able to use the route.
Council bids for millions to reopen eroding coast road
Chris Lockyer - Somerset Thu 30 April 2026 at 4:35 pm UTC 2 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. The council wants cash to reopen a "key" coastal road [BBC] A council has made a bid to the government for funding to help reopen a coastal road that is crumbling into the sea.
'I hadn't been treated by a dentist for 20 years'
Neil said the dental bus was 'outstanding' [BBC] A man has described a mobile dentist service that visits homeless organisations as "outstanding" after seeing a dentist for the first time in 20 years. Neil, who stays at the Arc in Taunton in Somerset, said being treated by staff at the Dentaid bus was "really good thing" and a "relief". The charity, supported by dental retailer TePe, visits organisations that support the homeless and victims of abuse across the UK.
Oldest and youngest villagers celebrate shop's birthday
The oldest and youngest person in the village cut the cake together [BBC] The oldest and youngest members of a village gathered to celebrate a special anniversary of their 'lifeline' shop. The community store in Crowcombe near Somerset's Quantock Hills was launched in 2001 after the village lost its shop and Post Office within months of each other.
How does a blind person train for a marathon?
Chris Lockyer; Clara Bullock - Somerset A blind Royal Navy veteran who is running the London Marathon this weekend has trained by running hundreds of laps around the same park. Wayne Pope, 45, from Bridgwater, is having to do three laps and a length to cover a mile in his local park because it is the only place he can train without a guide. Pope's degenerative condition is known as retinitis pigmentosa, which worsens his vision over time.
Fine for man who pleaded guilty to hunting
One man has been fined after a police investigation into a hunt [Getty Images] A man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild mammal with dogs. Wayne Greggory, 48, from Huish Champflower, had been charged under the Hunting Act 2004, following a hunt in Somerset in November 2025. Two other men, charged along with Greggory, have since had their cases discontinued. Greggory was fined £250 based on his income and was ordered to pay £185 in costs at Taunton Magistrates' Court earlier.
Somerset Levels bids to become new National Park
The Somerset Levels could be the UK's next National Park [PA Media] A countryside organisation has launched a campaign to crown the UK's 16th National Park to mark its 100th birthday. The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) in Somerset wants to have the Somerset Levels recognised with the honour - the UK's largest wetland. The levels are the UK's biggest lowland wetlands, and are used as flood plains during the winter to protect urban areas of Somerset. The UK has 15 national parks.
Lighthouse has been the wrong colour for 160 years
Part of the red lighthouse in Watchet is set to be repainted [BBC] A lighthouse will be repainted as it has been the wrong colour for more than 160 years, a council says. Somerset Council said the Watchet landmark's red colour meant it was not compliant with the navigation system used in UK waters, which calls for sea-facing structures on the starboard side to be green.
Colleges get slice of £175m skills funding
Colleges will be centres of excellence in defence and clean energy [Yeovil College] Further education colleges will be awarded a share of £175m to support students who take on studies in defence, clean energy, digital and manufacturing industries.
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