





Hour spare with a helping hand
Voluntary Action North Somerset (VANS) is delighted to announce the roll out of the Good Neighbour Scheme, a community led initiative designed to support older residents (65+) living in rural villages across North Somerset. The scheme connects local volunteers with residents who need occasional help with small odd jobs in and around their home, enabling people to remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible.
If you have a spare hour and would like to volunteer with this scheme, please contact Tracy on 07458073262 or email info@vansmail.org.uk
If you get a call that seems off, stop, hang up, and dial 159. It’s a safe and direct way to connect with your bank when you’re most at risk of being scammed. It’s simple, easy to remember, and can’t be faked so 159 will never call you.
The attached has some useful information and a link to the Stop Scams UK website.
Attachments:
Clive Burlton presents the life and times of Harry Dalton, the millionaire inventor who became Mr Bristol City.

Some work is being done on the ‘mitigation land’ next to the Millennium Green related to the planning application for housing on land north of Mulberry Road Congresbury. This mitigation land consists of two large fields next to the Millennium Green.
The contractor has apparently been telling members of the public that this work is being done on behalf of YACWAG. THIS IS NOT TRUE.
YACWAG has nothing to do with this land. If you hear this rumour please put people right. Thank you.


Avon and Somerset police have reported the following:
Residents are advised of an attempted break in involving a vehicle parked on Stonewell Lane in the early hours or Friday 27th February.
During the early hours, the owner of a Toyota Hilux discovered that the driver’s side door lock had been tampered with, causing visible damage. At this stage, no entry appears to have been gained, and nothing has been reported stolen.
Security advice
• Check vehicle locks regularly and report damage immediately.
• Consider installing additional security such as steering locks or alarm systems.
• Park in well lit areas or close to properties with natural surveillance.
Any information, CCTV images, please contact the Police on 101 quoting reference number: 5226056500 stating NHW. Or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Thank you for your support.
Congresbury Singers present “Multi Mass” with guest soloists.
St Andrews Church, Congresbury
Sat 21 March 7.30pm with wine & refreshments
Tickets £12 from PO, Re-Store, on the door
The police are urging residents and businesses to be vigilant following reports counterfeit £20 notes are in circulation in Taunton.
Officers have received reports the counterfeit notes have been used in separate transactions at two outlets and are now issuing advice on how to spot them.
The first incident was reported at a filling station on Priory Bridge Road at around 7.30pm on Thursday 29 January and at a retail outlet in East Street at around 10.35am on Thursday 5 March.
Similar incidents have occurred in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, and we’ve also received reports counterfeit notes have been used to purchase items which have been advertised for sale on social media selling sites.
PC Luke Elliot, officer in the case, said: “We are aware a small number of counterfeit notes have entered circulation, and we want to warn businesses and the public to remain vigilant and follow our advice to prevent more people becoming victims of fraud.
“A full and thorough investigation into how these notes have entered circulation is being carried out, and we are issuing advice so people can be confident they’re accepting genuine payments for goods and services they are providing.”
If cash transactions are necessary, please follow the advice in the attached PDF.
Attachments:
Don’t turn your home into a gold mine. Burglars are targeting households for gold, jewellery, cash and even stealing whole safes.
Do what you can to make your home a harder target:
Please see the attached advice.
Attachments:
| Date | Thu 29 Jan 2026 |
| Application Type | Change of use |
| Development | Proposed demolition of 2no. existing buildings; change of use of the car workshop to Use Class E (g)(iii) Industrial processes use and erection of 1no. self-build dwelling and detached carport with associated access, landscaping and ecological enhancements |
| Date | Thu 15 Jan 2026 |
| Application Type | Tree Works |
| Development | TPO 150 – London Plane – crown reduce by 3m, crown lift up to 3m from ground level to reduce nuisance of low hanging branches. Impacting on neighbouring property, therefore we would request to reduce the crown proportionally to maintain tree symmetry. Tree was previously reduced 2015. |
| Date | Wed 14 Jan 2026 |
| Application Type | Full Planning Permission |
| Development | Redevelopment of existing single storey barbers shop to create 1no. dwelling over two floors and commercial unit with Use Class E(c)(iii) on part of ground floor. Erection of a detached bike/bin/recycling store and creation of 1no.off-road parking space. |
Police are appealing for witnesses and anybody with information relating to an incident on the A38 which resulted in the death of a pedestrian this morning to come forward.
A man was found critically injured by a member of the public on the A38 Bridgwater Road, Winscombe, between Fox Lane and Fullers Lane, at around 12:10am this morning (Friday 30 January).
A man in his mid-fifties sadly died of his injuries at the scene and his next of kin have been informed. The road remains closed while investigations continue.
Officers remain at the scene of the incident alongside other emergency services and intelligence checks have been carried out.
Police are in the early stages of an investigation to establish what happened. At this stage it is unclear how the man sustained his injuries and are keeping an open mind whether it was potentially a result of a collision with a vehicle and the driver failed to stop.
We are therefore appealing to any witnesses and those with information which could assist our enquiries to come forward.
We would particularly like to hear from any drivers who may have been in the area at the time with relevant dashcam footage, between 11:45pm and 12:20am this morning, to come forward.
We would also like to hear from anybody who saw anything suspicious at the time of the incident, or in the moments immediately before or afterwards, to contact us.
Anybody who can assist with our investigation is urged to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 5226026947.
You can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their Anonymous Online Form.
No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded, and you will not go to court nor must speak to police when contacting Crimestoppers.
Police are appealing for witnesses after a collision involving a Peugeot van and a Lexmoto motorbike in North Somerset.
Emergency services were called to the B3133 Kenn Road, between Yatton and Clevedon, at about 6.30pm on Thursday 29 January. The collision occurred a short distance away from the Lampley Road junction.
The motorcyclist sustained serious potentially life-changing injuries and remains in hospital.
The van driver remained at the scene and has assisted officers with their enquiries.
Police are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed what happened or has relevant dashcam footage of the incident or shortly before.
If you can help our enquiries please call 101 and quote reference number 5226026759.
Matt Thomson, our vicar at St. Andrew’s Church is running (and walking) the Alicante Half Marathon to raise money for the Stewart Dewer Fund. Please see below for options on how to support him!

| Date | Mon 05 Jan 2026 |
| Application Type | Application to vary conditions |
| Development | Section 73 application to vary conditions 2, 6, 9 and 23, alongside the removal of conditions 29 and 30 attached to planning permission 25/P/0809/FUL (Ground mounted photovoltaic solar farm together with Battery Energy Storage, associated equipment, infrastructure and ancillary works with new substation off Drove Way) to allow for additional solar arrays to be sited within the area labelled ‘Field 6’ alongside confirmation that the approved substation is not required to be decommissioned alongside the rest of the project after 40 years from first export |