Dorchester TIC raises money for local charity

Local charity The Hub in Dorchester has received £360 from Dorchester Tourist Information Centre (TIC) staff from money raised at their charity events. The Hub aims to help prevent and relieve hardship, need and distress amongst those who are homeless and /or sleeping rough in Dorchester and the surrounding area. Fund raising activities included an in store treasure hunt and a Christmas quiz organised by Tourist Information Assistant John Sissons.

Missing pony is found safe and well… in a Cary Fitzpaine well | This is Somerset

More than 30 firefighters were called to a property over the weekend to rescue a pony after it fell down a well. Grace Hilliar became concerned about family pet Nova when she couldn’t find the animal while searching with son Ignacio, six. After looking through a number of fields they found the five-year-old pony stuck 8ft down a well and chest deep in water. Full Story: Read More

BBC News – Somerset County Council: Union fear over job cuts plans

Plans to make £24m in savings and 190 job cuts at Somerset County Council will push staff to “breaking point”, trade union Unison has said. The Conservative-run council is set to debate the draft budget on 6 February. Unison organiser, Oliver Foster-Burnell said: “Front line services which have already been cut are still shrinking or disappearing altogether.” Council leader John Osman has said the council was trying to make cuts where it’s going to cause “least pain”. Somerset County Council is set to lose about 5% of government funding for 2013-14. Full Story: Read More