Latest news with #AshleyFox
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Anger at travellers taking over seaside town for fortnight - dumping nappies in sea
Residents in Burnham-on-Sea are furious after a group of travellers set up camp on the seafront lawns, causing disruption since July 13. Locals have reported dumped rubbish, damaged cars, and in-fighting, while traders fear the impact during peak summer season. MP Ashley Fox blasted Somerset Council's 'unacceptable' 12-day delay in starting eviction proceedings, accusing it of doing 'as little as possible.' The council says legal timelines are out of their hands and a court hearing is set for July 25. Around 15 vehicles remain across two sites, with some expected to leave by Saturday.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Anger at travellers taking over seaside town for fortnight - dumping nappies in sea
Residents in Burnham-on-Sea are furious after a group of travellers set up camp on the seafront lawns, causing disruption since July 13. Locals have reported dumped rubbish, damaged cars, and in-fighting, while traders fear the impact during peak summer season. MP Ashley Fox blasted Somerset Council's 'unacceptable' 12-day delay in starting eviction proceedings, accusing it of doing 'as little as possible.' The council says legal timelines are out of their hands and a court hearing is set for July 25. Around 15 vehicles remain across two sites, with some expected to leave by Saturday. Solve the daily Crossword
BBC News
11-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Closure of Natwest in Bridgwater criticised by local MP
An MP has said he is "deeply disappointed" by NatWest's decision to close its bank branch in a Somerset Fox, the Conservative MP for Bridgwater, said the move not only "risks excluding" vulnerable residents but will impact the number of shoppers on the high said over the last five years counter transactions have dropped by nearly 65% in the town as more customers "than ever before" switch to digital Bridgwater branch is due to close on 27 October, along with branches in Midsomer Norton and Portishead. Scott Thomas, who has been banking at NatWest since he was a teenager, said closing the branch was "disgusting"."This bank has been my bank for my whole life - I do my business banking with NatWest, they've always been so helpful and now what am I going to do?," he said."Without NatWest, I wouldn't have been able to set that [business account] up. I'm dyslexic and have ADHD. They sat there with me, done it with me, helped me and now to be told I have to do something online with no help, it's absolutely ridiculous." Madeleine Vann, said the closure was "sad"."It's all computers now and you're not dealing with a human being now, are you?" she said."That's why I've come in [to the bank] today, I wanted to see a human."Another local resident, Mary Cornish said she was "really, really shocked" by the news."I do online banking and that won't change but I like to go into the bank to get money out," she said."Such a shame isn't it. I will really miss it - popping in once a week." Other branches across the West earmarked for closure include Yate, Fishponds, Chippenham, Trowbridge and Fox, said the Bridgwater closure "risks excluding some of our most vulnerable residents"."Especially those who rely on in‑branch support to manage their finances with confidence," he added."It will also be a hit to our town centre, where the loss of regular footfall will add further strain to local high street businesses."He said he is "formally requesting" a meeting with NatWest to ensure they maintain "meaningful human support for those who need it most"."I will be pressing them to consider alternative face-to-face provision to ensure no one is left behind," he said. According to NatWest, nearly three quarters of customers using the Bridgwater branch have chosen to use online banking and the mobile app in the last the number of personal customers using the branch on average each month, was just over 220.A NatWest spokesperson said most of its customers were shifting to its "digital services" because of the "speed and convenience".In a statement, the spokesperson added that branch closures were "disappointing" but it was committed to ensuring the move online was "managed compassionately"."[We] proactively contact branch users who we know may need additional support when a branch closes," the said."And where there's a need we install community pop-ups to help customers become familiar with alternative banking services."
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
HMS Bristol to be scrapped and atheist employment row
Here's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media. HMS Bristol, a Royal Navy destroyer which took part in the Falklands War, is set to leave its home in Portsmouth and head to Turkey where she will be scrapped, the Portsmouth News reports. A Falklands veteran that served on the ship told the website he plans to be there "for the start of her last journey". The story of an accountant working for the Clifton Catholic diocese who successfully sued the body for discrimination due to the fact she is an atheist features in the Daily Mail and a number of other outlets. Janet Parker was sacked following a dispute arising for a request for carer's leave for her newly adopted daughter. The Bridgwater branch of Natwest is set to close this year, according to the Bridgwater Mercury. Bridgwater's MP, Sir Ashley Fox has voiced his disappointment and is urging the bank to consider alternative forms of face-to-face services. A disabled woman heckled Bristol North West MP and chief secretary to the treasury Darren Jones over planned cuts to Personal Independent Payments (PIP) at a surgery event, the Canary reports. The 27-year-old woman held a banner reading: "PIP: Lifeline not pocket money". Pink Floyd star's garden event ends in 'chaos' Doctor suspended for sexual relationship with teen School cannot take sacked teacher to Supreme Court Avon and Somerset Police have got a lot of heat on X after posting that they barred a student PC who took paid work as a referee and a barman. The force is being attacked for failing to pay proper wages, and for letting more senior officers get away with much more serious misconduct. Tewkesbury Abbey says one of its young falcons has flown the nest. Hundreds of people have been following the chicks' development online. Cheltenham's 2,000 Trees Festival has had an overwhelmingly positive response to a post in support of the LGBTQ+ community on its Facebook page. The event said it was "committed to supporting trans people and their right to be respected". Follow BBC West social channels in Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Work to replace faulty Haygrove School could start in 2026
A school forced to close its main building due to its faulty construction could move to a new site by School in Bridgwater was partially shut in August 2023 due to safety concerns. Since then, lessons have taken place in temporary Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed a feasibility study to build a new school at Queenswood Farm is "on track" to be completed by the end of this MP Ashley Fox said construction is expected to begin in autumn 2026, subject to planning permission, with the aim of "welcoming students to the new school in September 2028". He added: "Despite the challenging circumstances, Haygrove School has continued to deliver strong outcomes for its students."That's a credit to the staff, leadership, and wider school community."A spokesperson for the DfE said high-quality and sustainable buildings are a key part of raising school standards. "We have increased investment to £2.1bn this financial year to improve the condition of school buildings, on top of the continuing School Rebuilding Programme," they added.
