While people are moving home less often we’re a region increasingly ready to transform our existing pad into our dream home, according to a new report on Britain’s renovation habits. Home improvement figures across the South West of England increased throughout 2017 with more than 46,000 planning applications submitted; a growth of 3.5 per cent. The ‘Home Improvers of Great Britain 2018’ report was compiled by construction industry analysts Barbour ABI, who supply data to the Office for National Statistics. Although the region as a whole still only has marginally higher rates of home improvement than the average for Britain, some areas have seen a dramatic growth. Alongside new house building, the report shows that home improvements can be seen as an expression of demand in a region. When house prices soar – so does home improvement. This is likely to be why Bath and North East Somerset experienced a significant 14 percent rise in home improvement … [Read more...] about South West sees boom in home improvements as house prices continue to rise
West somerset
Young added to squad for Somerset match
Craig Young will return to international action tomorrow CRICKET Ireland has included three North West natives in a 13-man squad for the upcoming four-day match against Somerset County Cricket Club (April 6-9) at County Ground, Taunton. The match is part of Graham Ford’s team’s build-up to its historic first Test Match in May and north west duo, Andy McBrine and Boyd Rankin have retained their places in the squad after impressing during the recent World Cup qualifying tournament, while skipper William Porterfield is ruled out due to injury. However, there was good news for a fourth local player, player, Bready’s Craig Young, who was rehabilitating from a recent injury in South Africa. He has been drafted in as a replacement for Tim Murtagh, who has been released at the request of Middlesex’s management. Andrew White, Cricket Ireland’s Chair of National Men’s Selectors, said: “Unfortunately William Porterfield and Ed Joyce will miss the game … [Read more...] about Young added to squad for Somerset match
Small increase in North Somerset teenage pregnancies
PUBLISHED: 16:00 04 April 2018 Liam Jones Stomach of pregnant woman Archant The number of teenage pregnancies in North Somerset has risen, new figures show. A total of 62 girls aged 15-17 in the district became pregnant in 2016 – according to the latest available statistics – compared to 49 the previous year. Despite the slight increase, this still represents a major reduction since 1997 when 112 teenage girls in North Somerset conceived. The number of teenage pregnancies in the South West as a whole has also dramatically fallen since the end of the 20th century, dropping from 3,360 in 1998 to 1,396 in 2016. Chief executive of sexual health charity Family Planning Association, Natika H Halil, said: “This dramatic fall in teenage pregnancy rates in the South West is thanks to a great deal of hard work from health and education professionals, along with the investment in services we saw during the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy that ended in 2010.” … [Read more...] about Small increase in North Somerset teenage pregnancies
Man’s body found in chalet at holiday park in Somerset
A man in his 60s has been found dead in a chalet at a popular Pontins holiday resort. Police cordoned off the chalet after the man's body was found at Pontins Brean Sands in Somerset. Officers were called to the resort just before 11am on Sunday. Police say the cause of death is under investigation but it is not being treated as suspicious. Guests have said there was a heavy police presence at the resort and a cordon around the chalet after the man's body was discovered. A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Constabulary said: "We were called to Pontins Brean Sands at 10.45am to reports of the body of a man being found. "A man in his sixties has sadly died. "The death is not being treated as suspicious and has been referred to the coroner." The spokesman added: "Crime scene investigation is at the scene as a matter of course." The man was not named by police. Mirror Online has contacted Pontins for comment. On its website, Pontins describes its Brean Sands resort as "one of the most … [Read more...] about Man’s body found in chalet at holiday park in Somerset
Somerset v Yorkshire (day two): Champions might see equality as decent outcome
IF the quality of the pitch at Taunton matched the quality of the setting, there would be no better place to watch cricket in England. As it is, one spends half one’s time watching batsmen making hay on the inevitable flat surface, and the other half staring at the much more arresting sight of the Quantock Hills, which have gazed down on all the Somerset greats: Richards, Botham, Garner, Gimblett, Wellard, et al.Of course, there is always a chance that spectators will yet see a positive result in this match, either through events taking their natural course or through collusion.But with only eight wickets having fallen in six sessions, and with indifferent weather forecast for tomorrow’s final day, it feels no less likely to be a draw than it did before champions Yorkshire set off.To judge by the way that things have gone so far, the visitors would be far from disappointed with a share of the spoils.Andrew Gale would certainly have hoped for much better than for his side to … [Read more...] about Somerset v Yorkshire (day two): Champions might see equality as decent outcome