Midwest Radio: Midwest News

Cars attacked in North Dorset

Mon, 21 May 2012 07:54:07 +0100

Police are appealing for witnesses after at least 26 vehicles were vandalised in Shaftesbury and Gilingham over the weekend.

At least 26 cars and vans were vandalised in 2 North Dorset towns over the weekend.

16 of them were attacked on Friday night in Coronation Road in Gillingham.

A further 10 were targetted in the centre of Shaftesbury on Saturday night.

Police say tyres were slashed and wing mirrors snapped off.

Here comes the torch!

Mon, 21 May 2012 07:52:14 +0100

The Olympic torch passes through parts of Somerset this week.

Towns and villages in West Somerset are holding celebrations this afternoon as the olympic torch passes through.

Runners bearing the iconic symbol of the games are taking it through Minehead, Washford and Williton before arriving in Taunton just after 6.

Tomorrow it travels from Taunton to Bristol through towns such as Ilminster, Yeovil, Ilchester and Somerton.

New wildfowl shooting lease agreed

Fri, 18 May 2012 10:39:07 +0100

A new 15-year agreement's been reached for wildfowl shooting on the Somerset coast.

Permission's been given for wildfowl shooting to continue across over 400 acres of land at the mouth of the River Parrett.

A new 15-year sporting lease has been agreed between The Crown Estate and the Highbridge, Huntspill and Burnham District Wildfowlers' Club.

Consent's also been granted for continued shooting on Bridgwater Bay.

Champions parade at Royal Bath and West Show

Fri, 18 May 2012 10:36:33 +0100

Horse trainer Paul Nicholls will parade four of his race horse champions at a Somerset showground later this month.

It's been announced 4 racehorse champions, including grand national winner Neptune Collonges, will be paraded around the main ring at the Royal Bath and West Show this month.

All belonging to nearby Mendip-based trainer Paul Nicholls, they also include Gold cup winner Kauto Star, world hurdle winner Big Bucks and champion hurdle winner Rock on Ruby.

The public can see them at the event on May 30th.

Award for Somerset festival

Fri, 18 May 2012 10:33:27 +0100

With The Sunrise Celebration just a month away, it's won another award.

The Somerset-held Sunrise Celebration has won the Best Green Festival Award for the second year in a row.

The event, in its 7th year now, is held on farmland near Bruton and prides itself on its green credentials and the low impact it has on the environment.

12,000 people are expected at the 2012 festival which begins on June 21st.

Lead thieves strrike again

Tue, 15 May 2012 11:33:29 +0100

A Dorset church needs to find £20,000 to pay for the damage done by lead thieves.

A church near Shaftesbury is the latest this year to have its lead stripped and stolen.

In a long-running list of thefts from church roofs across Somerset and Dorset in the last year, St Mary's at Donhead St Mary has been hit.

The total bill, alongside damage caused by water getting in, is expected to be in the region of £20,000.

Severn barrage idea is back

Tue, 15 May 2012 11:31:07 +0100

A high profile politician has re-ignited the campaign to get a power-generating barrage built between Somerset and Wales.

Labour MP Peter Hain has quit the shadow cabinet to concentrate on campaigning for a severn barrage to be built between the Somerset coast and Wales.

The former Wales and Northern Ireland Secretary is a staunch supporter of renewable energy and believes a structure across the stretch of water can become a reality.

Last year the idea was dumped by ministers because it was too expensive.