News in Midsomer Norton and Radstock

The Government has confirmed that those who have been furloughed from their jobs due to the coronavirus - and who are contractually allowed to work for another employer - can take on seasonal picking work while continuing to receive 80% of their salary from the government.

Thousands of jobs will need filling on farms across the country from June onwards as the UK reaches peak strawberry and salad season alongside other major fruit and vegetable harvests in this country.

MIDSOMER NORTON BRIEFING: Tuesday April 28

TODAY'S MIDSOMER NORTON: Sunrise 05:47 Sunset 20:29

The Government has confirmed that those who have been furloughed from their jobs due to the coronavirus - and who are contractually allowed to work for another employer - can take on seasonal picking work while continuing to receive 80% of their salary from the government.

Thousands of jobs will need filling on farms across the country from June onwards as the UK reaches peak strawberry and salad season alongside other major fruit and vegetable harvests in this country.

Thousands of well wishers and hundreds of messages - that was the overwhelming response to the Radstock nurse - a life size statue which appeared overnight in the town.

She took two weeks to craft and is based on a real-life critical care nurse Emma, 30, a relative of the Chairman of the local branch of the British Legion.

Laura Ablett is an experienced solicitor and partner at local law practice Thatcher + Hallam LLP. She specialises in advising clients on the making of their Will. Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, she has however noted a marked change in public attitudes towards making a Will.

'Even a couple of months ago people generally regarded the making of a Will as something that could be put off till another day,' says Laura. 'This was despite the fact that the consequences of not making a Will can be extremely damaging to surviving loved ones and family.'

With 12 hours left of the international City Nature Challenge, the Bristol and Bath region has recorded a staggering 5,491 wildlife records.

We need the help of the Radstock community to fill the gaps in the map, by adding wildlife photos to iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/

Very much joined-up thinking : helping the homeless, who in turn were helped by working the land, which in turn was a community food supplier, Root Connections was fertile ground for a new way of supporting those most at risk.

Helping the homeless and vulnerable, who in turn helped out planting, growing and harvesting in a market garden venture that supplied local restaurants, with fantastic fresh ingredients, which then helped fund the project and hostel.

There seems to be little sign of the current lock down restrictions being lifted any time soon and after the initial few weeks of adjustment, wrapping our heads around the changes to our daily lives, many of us will be experiencing feelings of isolation, loss of control and frustration.

While technology has enabled us to keep in touch with others and share our feelings, this may also be a good time to communicate with ourselves.

Many congratulations and heartfelt thanks should be directed towards the Big Local and their helpers for coming up with hot meals for deserving Radstock and Westfield residents.

It is this kind of gesture which makes us a proud and confident community.

MIDSOMER NORTON BRIEFING: Monday April 27

In case you missed Whitstone's Fish and Chips shop will be re-opening for deliveries only on Wednesday May 6.