Chris Lockyer

1 week ago | bbc.co.uk | Chris Lockyer

Image caption, The Blue Ball's owner Grant Fowler hopes his new business model will be successfulA pub which can trace its history back to the 17th Century is reopening after being closed for three years. The Blue Ball Inn in Triscombe, nestled in the Quantocks, was closed during the pandemic, after a line of landlords were unable to successfully operate the remote venue.

3 weeks ago | bbc.co.uk | Chris Lockyer

Image source, Miles Tea and CoffeeImage caption, Derek Miles operated his tea businesses until his deathA man who worked as a tea merchant for more than 60 years has passed away at the age of 93, his company has announced. Derek Miles ran Miles Tea and Coffee in West Somerset for 64 years after starting his business back in 1961. Mr Miles bought tea from Avonmouth Docks near Bristol and packaged it on his kitchen table at his home in Porlock in West Somerset.

3 weeks ago | bbc.com | Chris Lockyer

Tea merchant who worked into his 90s rememberedChris LockyerMiles Tea and CoffeeDerek Miles operated his tea businesses until his deathA man who worked as a tea merchant for more than 60 years has passed away at the age of 93, his company has announced. Derek Miles ran Miles Tea and Coffee in West Somerset for 64 years after starting his business back in 1961. Mr Miles bought tea from Avonmouth Docks near Bristol and packaged on his kitchen table at his home in Porlock in West Somerset.

3 weeks ago | bbc.co.uk | Chris Lockyer

Image source, SuppliedImage caption, A group from Wellington has travelled to London to meet the railways ministerMillions of pounds will be wasted if plans to open a new railway station are cancelled, an MP has claimed. Proposals to build Wellington station in Somerset were paused last year by the government. Gideon Amos, the Liberal Democrat MP for Taunton and Wellington, said land has already been bought, meaning axing the project could end up costing the taxpayer.

3 weeks ago | bbc.com | Chris Lockyer

Couple who set up theatre 'overwhelmed' by its successChris LockyerBBCNeil Wilson and Cath Cooper transformed a skittle alley into a 90-seat theatreA couple who opened a 90-seat theatre in November say they have been "overwhelmed with happiness" at its popularity. Neil Wilson and Cath Cooper said, so far, every show put on at Backyard Theatre in Watchet, Somerset, has sold out.