Daniel Mumby's CoJ Portfolio

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...

Two out of three men involved in "daylight robbery" at Sherborne pharmacy are jailed - while the third man is let off with a fine by Welsh magistrates An example of playing the long game with criminal cases - and it paying off in style Originally published: November 3, 2017 Two of the three men who "ransacked" a  Sherborne  pharmacy in an act of "daylight robbery" have been jailed today (November 3). Lewis Delbridge Coombes, of HMP Exeter, and Dean Anthony Glover, of Holdenhurst Road,  Bournemouth , were both jailed at Bournemouth Crown Court for their role in what the judge described as "a brazen example of shoplifting". Both men had been  charged by Dorset Police  along with Mathew James Alexander Henderson in relation to the raid, which occurred on September 1 last year at the Abbey Pharmacy on Cheap Street. But in a legal  faux pas , Henderson - who had failed to attend a previous hearing - had already been served a fine by Welsh ma...

Nudefest 2017: Naturists explain why they like stripping off Using Facebook Live to strip away the stereotypes about stripping off Originally published: July 4, 2017 People from as far afield as Switzerland and South Africa are making their way to the Somerset Levels to be part of Nudefest. More than 300 people are expected to camp at Thorney Lakes Camping and Caravan Site near  Langport  over the course of this week, along with dozens of day visitors from across the local area. With a packed itinerary on site and trips being planned to Muchelney Abbey, Bradon Gardens near  Taunton  and  the Somerset Cider Brandy Company , there's plenty to do throughout this week-long celebration of the human body. Those attending the event, organised by British Naturism, are being kept well-fed and watered by Clare Aparicio and her small army of helpers from the River Parrett Cafe in Langport. Read the full story  here . --- I had developed a good working r...

Devastated farmers forced out of their home as Somerset County Council sells off valuable properties The human interest story behind a massive property sell-off Originally published: April 3, 2018 A farmer has accused county councillors of "the economic and social cleansing of the land" as she prepares to leave the farm she has run for 16 years. Sue Osborne has farmed at Oxenford Farm in Dowlish Wake near Ilminster with her husband David since 2002, taking it on a 16-year lease from Somerset County Council. The council has been selling off its county farms since October 2010, following a review of its estate farming policy. Unable to buy the land, the Osbornes and others in their position could soon see their livelihoods taken away. Mrs Osborne, who also serves as a South Somerset district councillor, said that the council's decision would have a terrible impact on her family and the local community. Read the full story here . --- The genesis of this artic...

More than 70 areas could be cut as Somerset County Council aims to save £15M by 2020 Two days' detailed coverage of the most devastating cuts in recent memory Originally published: September 4, 2018 Fewer roads will be gritted, with no grit supplies at the roadside for the whole winter. Vulnerable people trying to get into the work of work could be given less support. Taunton's Park and Ride could close indefinitely, with part of the site being used for transport to   Hinkley Point C. These are just some of the possible consequences if   Somerset County Council   pushes ahead with a further £15M of cuts to public services by 2020. Council leader David Fothergill said that the council was now at "the very sharp end" of austerity, and that these measures were essential to secure the council's long-term financial sustainability. He added that the council's predicament had been caused by an increase in costs and demand for services, coupled with ...

Sherborne schoolgirl Sophie Clark took her own life, Dorset coroner concludes How to cover an inquest - and get praised by the Samaritans  Originally published: January 24, 2017 A teenager whose body was found in woods just outside Sherborne took her own life, an inquest has concluded. 13-year-old Sophie Clark left her home on Acreman Place in Sherborne at 6.30pm on June 14 last year, and never returned. Her father, James Clark, reported her missing later the same evening, prompting an extensive search of the area by officers from Dorset Police. Her body was discovered by a passer-by in woods near Dancing Hill the following day. Read the full story here . --- I was Sherborne reporter for Somerset Live when Sophie Clark was first reported missing in June 2016. We published numerous updates on the search for her, with most of the information coming from Dorset Police, and shared these updates widely on social media. Sophie's death had been such a high-profil...

Personal Statement I have been with Somerset Live since August 2014, having joined when it was still operating online as the Western Gazette , with five print editions. In that time, I have been involved in the comprehensive transformation of this news organisation from a print-driven company to a digital-first operation, and have provided a wide range of newsworthy and successful content throughout this transition. In my current role I am widely respected as an authority on local government, both within Somerset and a wider context; my work has been held up as an example of good practice within local government reporting, and I have represented the Local Democracy Reporting Service at public events and in the media, including a grilling by MPs in Westminster. Employment History Local Democracy Reporter at Somerset Live - March 2018-present I was appointed the site's local democracy reporter following an interview in early-January. My remit is to cover meetings and decision...