Thursday 30th September 2010 Fire crews are tackle big blaze at a hotel building in Weston-super-Mare.
More than 30 firefighters were called to a major fire effecting the
disused Royal Pier Hotel, on Weston’s Birnbeck Road. The Anchor Head
Hotel, some flats and the Captain's Cabin restaurant were evacuated as
a precaution. The Royal Pier hotel had been previously damaged in a
fire in June 2009. Patricia Sleeman, who lives opposite the hotel,
said: "I saw the floor of the hotel fall through and then the next
floor fall through - right to the bottom. Glass blew out but most of
that had gone anyway because the hotel has caught fire before.” Somerset

Wednesday 4th August 2010 Weston-super-Mare Grand Pier opening delayed
The Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, was due to reopen this month after a big fire destroyed it in July 2008. But now the owners have said that the project has been delayed and the pier remains shut. Co-owner Kerry Michael broke the bad news after a meeting with contractors. The pier was projected to finish on 25 June but Mr Michael admitted that: "It is now clear that contractors are still some time away from completion. We are bitterly disappointed at the continued delay which we understand is causing uncertainty and concern for many people, not only those who are looking forward to the new pavilion and its facilities but also for our suppliers, staff and other businesses in the town." Somerset

Tuesday 8th June 2010 Longest-serving fireman retires
Britain's longest-serving retained firefighter is retiring after 44
years with the brigade. Ian Tucker, who is station officer at
Glastonbury, has attended more than 8,000 call-outs. The 60-year-old
firefighter says he will miss the camaraderie of the service but will
enjoy getting more sleep. Mr Tucker has fought many fires over the
years including one at his own home.

"It did teach me quite a bit about what people think is valuable in
their house,” said Mr Tucker, adding: "Subsequently to that when we're
salvaging, I realised that if you take the things that are on top of
their sideboards and mantelpiece - those are the things that people
value most in their homes. The fact that their three-piece suite and
curtains and table have gone are not as important if you keep those
mementoes." Somerset

Monday 5th April 2010 Mountain bikers told to stop using Somerset track
Mountain bikers have been ordered to stop using Gilling Down Nature
Reserve as a downhill cycle track due to worries about erosion. The
area, known locally as Red HIlls, is a Site of Special Scientific
Interest (SSSI) and the Somerset wildlife trust has voiced concerns
about damage being done after a “sharp increase” in the numbers of the
cyclists using the area.

Emma Daniel, from Somerset Wildlife Trust, told the press: "It is
becoming increasingly serious as the bike tyres are starting to rip
through the very thin turf opening up new areas of erosion, as well as
increasing erosion on exposed soft and crumbly bedrock. The reserve is
a SSSI for the unimproved limestone grassland which supports 36
notable plants and animal species, some of which are legally protected
scheduled species." Somerset

Tuesday 30th March 2010 North Somerset Council completes £12.6million office purchase
North Somerset Council has been completed a £12.6million purchase of
the Castlewood building in Clevedon to be its new office building. The
move will lead to the closure of the Weston offices which currently
house 762 workers, however the authority's leader Nigel Ashton has
reassured people that no jobs in the town centre will be lost.

Councillor Ashton said: "Despite much speculation in recent weeks, I
would also like to reassure residents, particularly those in
Weston-super-Mare, that our plans to focus activities at the two sites
will not be to the detriment of jobs in Weston town centre. Plans for
better use of space at the Town Hall are underway now that are
intended to ensure no net loss of jobs to the town centre." Somerset

Thursday 10th December 2009 Heavy rain a washout for otters
Rising river levels have forced a Somerset wildlife charity to rescue
a record number of otters this winter. The Secret World, a charity
owned by Pauline Kidner, said that baby otters had been washed out of
their homes by the higher than normal water levels.

Six otters have been rescued in the last three months, each happy to
consume £10 worth of fish daily. If an otter is too young to swim it
will need hand rearing and 18 months rehabilitation prior to release.
Ms Kidner said some otters are drowned by rising water levels as they
live on the very edge of a river’s normal water line. Somerset

Wednesday 23rd September 2009 Hungry tiger beats his fear of heights
A Bengal tiger climbed an activity tower at Noah’s Ark Zoo in North Somerset but then lost his head for heights and got stuck. The tiger, called Tanvir, climbed the frame on Monday but then refused to come down again. We all know that feeling, going up is much easier than coming down!

The two-year-old Tanvir eventually climbed down late on Tuesday night after spending more than 24 hours on the tower. But it took a tasty pig’s head to tempt him down.

Co-owner of the zoo farm, Christina Bush, said: "He must have been very hungry so he came down when he was ready. I think he enjoyed the view from the tower." Somerset

Monday 31st August 2009 Weston’s sandy ice cream parlour
Somerset’s famous seaside resort at Weston-super-Mare has made the
most of the fine sandy beach there by building a café entirely from
sand. The make-shift Burger King, selling only ice cream, took Mark
Anderson of Sand Sculptures three days to build but will be demolished
after just one day’s use. Great care was taken to ensure the structure
was safe, even the water used in the construction has all air bubbles
removed from it.

The ice cream parlour made from sand was a charity stunt organised on
behalf of Weston Hospice Care and it certainly attracted plenty of
attention, and trade. Somerset

Friday 7th August 2009 Famous pier to rise from ashes
The historic Grade II listed pier at Weston-Super-Mare has taken a step nearer to resurrection with the announcement of a contractor to rebuild the new pavilion. John Sisk and Son were named and they are set to start work immediately. Plans are in place to have the pier open and ready for visitors again in June 2010.

Work to restore the famous pier is already underway, with new piles being driven into the bedrock to support the weight of the planned new structure. The pier, constructed partly from steel but also from wood, projects half-a-mile out to sea and so provides some unique challenges to the engineers. The original structure was badly damaged in a massive inferno which engulfed it on July 28, 2008. The fire came only months after the pier, which dates from 1904, had reopened after a big refit. Somerset

Monday 27th July 2009 Safety fears halt festival
Mendip District Council and local emergency services have decided that the Big Green Gathering due to take place on farmland in the Mendip Hills in Somerset for five days from 29 July will not go ahead.

They have cancelled the event due to their fears over arrangements for ensuring the safety of the public at the event. The council and the emergency services could not be satisfied that the event did not present an opportunity for crime and public disorder. Police will be on hand to make sure ticket holders are not allowed access to the site. Somerset