Daniel Mumby's CoJ Portfolio

Why ex-Blue Peter presenter fears chaos will continue in village used as A30-A303 rat run How concerns from a small village become a really big story Originally published: October 20, 2019 A former Blue Peter presenter fears that plans that could see more than 400 new homes built in a Somerset village will cause more drivers to use local roads as a rat run. Valerie Singleton, who hosted the iconic children's show between 1962 and 1972, said proposals to build 407 homes in Templecombe by 2038 will see an unsustainable number of cars and lorries passing through the village. Residents also fear that the lack of facilities in the village will put more pressure on its primary school and doctors' surgery and result in more people having to travel for work. While she is not opposed to new housing, Ms Singleton says new developments should only be delivered in a sensible manner. Read the full story here . --- Stories about unwanted housing developments usually do well...

Boris Johnson heckled over private life and told 'Sandi Toksvig should be Prime Minister' while campaigning in Somerset It pays to keep the public at the centre of any election campaign story Originally published: November 14, 2019 Boris Johnson has been heckled by opponents who told him 'Sandi Toksvig should be Prime Minister' on his visit to Somerset. Boris was met by Taunton MP Rebecca Pow as he arrived at West Monkton CEVC Primary School , in Bridgwater Road, Taunton, as part of his campaigning in the West Country today (Thursday, November 14). Liberal Democrat, Labour and Extinction Rebellion supporters turned up with placards to voice their concerns over a number of political issues, from Universal Credit to climate change. Natalie Clayton, a member of the Women’s Equality Party who was waving an Extinction Rebellion flag when Boris arrived, said: "Sandi Toksvig should be PM. She shouted: "Would you send your kids here Boris? Do you know how...

Traffic avoiding M5 following fatal crash results in bus gate earning nearly £16,000 in fines Looking for breaking news follow-ups in all the right places Originally published: November 6, 2018 Nearly £16,000 was earned from fining drivers in a single day following a crash on the M5. Two people died and four others were injured in a multi-vehicle crash between Junction 24 (Bridgwater) and Junction 25 (Taunton) on September 13, 2018. Hundreds of motorists opted to use the A38 to avoid queues up to 11 miles long, passing near the recently-installed bus gate on the eastern edge of Taunton. A freedom of information request has revealed that more than 550 drivers were caught using the bus gate during the delays - netting Somerset County Council earned thousands of pounds in fines. Read the full story here . --- When a major piece of breaking news occurs, one is always on the lookout for potential follow-ups to add colour and detail to our coverage, ensuring the public has...

Neighbours complain of people 'spilling out into the gardens and pool' at hotel hosting 'group sex' parties Proof positive that licensing hearings don't need to be dull Originally published: April 23, 2019 Neighbours have complained of people "spilling out" of a Somerset hotel advertised as a venue for "group sex and swingers parties". Croydon Hall in the tiny Exmoor National Park village of Rodhuish is the venue for members only 'Exclusively Silks' parties - described online as "intimate parties for classy, sophisticated couples and single ladies." The venue's operator Allen McCloud has applied to the local council  to extend the time it can serve alcohol, as well as provide music and late night refreshment, from its current limit of midnight to 3am (except Sundays). But more than a dozen neighbours have objected, saying the traffic and noise which the venue currently generates is ruining the quality of life. T...

Glastonbury 2017: Much love for Foo Fighters as festival-goers arrive at Castle Cary railway station Using Facebook Live to give a quirky kick-off to a major festival Originally published: June 21, 2017 The first swathe of Glastonbury Festival ticket-holders arrived at Castle Cary railway station - with the Foo Fighters being the act they most want to see. Great Western Railway has laid on additional trains this year to ensure a smooth journey for revellers coming from outside of Somerset. Somerset Live was at the station this morning (June 21) as the first trains began bringing in festival-goers from as far afield as East Anglia and the West Midlands. Despite a number of delays on both the lines which pass through the station - the 9.06am from London Paddington was around 45 minutes late - most passengers seemed in a buoyant mood, coping with both the disruption and the heat. Read the full story  here . --- The Glastonbury Festival is one of the cornerstones of So...

Post Office Horizon system 'cost me my job and reputation' claims sacked postmistress from Wincanton From a straightforward press release to a cagey but successful interview Originally published: April 24, 2017 A former postmistress has vowed to fight to her dying breath to clear her name - claiming a new computer system cost her job and reputation. Tracey Merritt, of Wincanton, was dismissed from her post at the Post Office in Yetminster near Sherborne amid claims of false accounting linked to the Horizon system. When Post Office limited investigated she had her home searched and discovered that she could be facing possible criminal action when she saw a report in a local newspaper. Two months later Post Office Limited announced that no further action would be taken against her. Now she is among more than 1,000 people seeking to sue the company, claiming that discrepancies were caused by faults in its computer system. Read the full story here . --- I...