The following statement is from Chief Constable Sarah Crew, following the announcement that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has died

“We are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her devotion and extraordinary public service have been a continual source of pride and inspiration to us all.

“On behalf of our officers, police staff and volunteers, we offer our heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family, as well as to the public we serve at this time of national mourning.

“Now is the time for communities to come together for a period of remembrance and reflection, as we pay our respects to a monarch who has faithfully and stoically served us during her historic reign.

“We will be flying our flag at half-mast across Avon and Somerset as a mark of respect at our Police Headquarters in Portishead, as well as other police locations.

“Memorial plans will be announced by local authorities in due course.

“A book of condolence is being set-up and details of how members of the public can sign it will be announced as soon as they have been finalised.”

Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage following a collision on the A370 at Congresbury on Friday afternoon

Officers are investigating the circumstances around a collision between a motorcycle and a car, which happened at around 12.30pm near the Esso garage.

One person has been taken to hospital by air ambulance with injuries which are believed to be life-threatening. Their family are aware and being supported by specialist officers.

Police are asking any witnesses, or drivers with dashcam footage, to come forward and call us.

If you can help, please call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5222212042, or complete our online appeals form.

A garage was broken into around 2am on Saturday (August 20th) in Duck Lane, Langford. Six male offenders, all wearing dark clothing, forced entry to the garage via the main door with bolt cutters and crow bars. Once inside they conducted an untidy search until an alarm was sounded, they then made off on foot. 

Any information please contact the Police on 101 quoting reference number: 5222200333 stating NHW release. Or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

A home in Cobthorn Way, Congresbury, was burgled on Saturday afternoon (August 20th) between 12:30pm and 4:30pm. The offender gained access by forcing a downstairs lounge window and once inside conducted a messy search of the upper level. A safe containing cash, jewellery and documents were stolen before the offender made off via the patio doors.

Any information please contact the Police on 101 quoting reference number: 5222200753 stating NHW release. Or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A car has been damaged overnight on Sunday while parked on Chestnut Close, Congresbury. The owner was notified of the damage by a neighbour and upon checking all four tyres had been cut through.
Any information please contact the olice on 101 quoting reference number: 5222183264 stating NHW release. Or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police are appealing for witnesses and information after a motorcyclist was injured in a collision with a car in Congresbury.

It happened just after 9.10am on Sunday 10 July on the A370 at Rhodyate Hill near the Star pub.

A man riding a black Honda motorcycle was involved in a collision with a black Volvo XC60 which was turning onto the road.

The motorcyclist went to hospital by ambulance for treatment to serious injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision or who has any dashcam or other footage of that stretch of road at the time. Please get in touch if you can help.

If you can help, please call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5222169655, or complete our online appeals form.

Congresbury CC is a thriving cricket club at the heart of the village and is a big part of the community.  With the expansion of junior, women’s, girls and senior men’s cricket the training facilities are of vital importance to the club. 

The club’s practice facilities/ nets are no longer fit for purpose, with one of the two original nets completely unusable. The current nets have been in place for well over a decade and they are dangerous to use and will be replaced with two brand new, state of the art bays. The club has worked hard over the last couple of years to secure various grants, including one from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

However, the club will need to raise £10,000 to reach its target. The impact of a new net facility will be felt throughout the club and hopefully within the community. It will provide a safe environment for the junior teams to train and will give individuals the opportunities to improve their cricket. The nets are also vital for senior and women’s cricket as they will provide somewhere for players to practice while other matches are going on. There will also be opportunities for members of the public to book and make use of the modern facilities. 

To help the club reach its target, please follow this link.

A home has been burgled between 7:30am and 4:20pm on Thursday (April 28th) in Wrington Lane, Congresbury. The offender gained entry via a rear door, without the apparent use of force. Once inside a messy search had been conducted with all cupboards being searched, the only obvious item being stolen was a jam jar containing foreign currency. The offender made off via the same method of entry.

Any information please contact the Police on 101 quoting reference number: 5222100605 stating NHW release. Or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A home in Congresbury’s High Street was burgled late on Wednesday night.

It happened between 11:20pm and 11:30pm. The vulnerable resident was awoken by noises downstairs and went to investigate. The offender had gained access via the garage door and onwards through an integral doorway, where they then stole a wallet from a coat hanging in the hallway. The wallet contained cash and bank cards. It is understood they made off the same way they came in.

If you have any information please contact the Police on 101 quoting reference number: 5222093715 stating NHW release or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The community café’s ‘Supporting the community initative’ with Debbie Fortune estate agents has raised £400 for the Little Rascals baby and toddler group. www.facebook.com/littlerascalscongresbury

FND Hope UK

For the next two weeks the cafe in Broad Street is supporting a small charity, FND Hope UK. Dr Helen Bolter who lives in the village, is a trustee of the charity, and asked for help to raise money and raise awareness. The charity is supporting a couple of villagers.

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a problem with the functioning of the nervous system which does not send and receive signals to or from the body correctly. It can affect men, women, and children. It produces disability and impairment of quality of life that is similar to that seen in people with Parkinson’s or epilepsy. 

The following is from a patient detailing how FND is affecting them:

“In late 2020, I had a mild head injury.  I was unable to walk and had other symptoms so the doctors thought I had had a stroke, but my brain scan was normal. My left leg was weak and shaking so bad that I couldn’t stand or walk.  I was diagnosed with FND.  I sometimes need a wheelchair, have pain and feel very tired on most days but I have found not being able to continue the job I enjoyed as the worst part of having FND.  I have physio and am waiting for a place on a neurology rehab unit. I have not given up hope of getting better but I wish more people knew about FND so more people understood me.”

Local mum Leonie Hart has launched a petition to try to stop First Bus from axing the X2 service.

She says: “It’s hard to begin to express the impact that the loss of the X2 will have on my life. I have a chronic health condition, ME which has a considerable effect on my mobility, and thus the bus to Yatton is a lifeline to get to the dentist, doctor, vet, shops and the station plus social groups. I have primary aged children and often use the bus with them as my mobility means it’s impossible to get any further than the immediate Congresbury village amenities otherwise. 

“There needs to be more focus on sustainable transport options for environmental reasons plus the rising cost of fuel especially with such limited transport options already serving rural areas. The loss of this service would not only mean that local people are more dependent on their cars to access local amenities, but that those for whom driving isn’t an option will be increasingly isolated and unable to live independently.”

Congresbury Parish Council will discuss the matter at its next meeting.

If you want to join Leonie and sign the petition click on this link  https://chng.it/jKqZhGgjsc