Family story: ‘Mrs Dropdrawers’. My dad's mum, Nanny Newman, was born and brought up East London. She moved to Somerset to work at the Royal Ordnance Factory during World War II, and stayed, settling with the family on the post-war council estate appended to the village of Woolavington.
January 12, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Family story: ‘Mrs Dropdrawers’. My dad's mum, Nanny Newman, was born and brought up East London. She moved to Somerset to work at the Royal Ordnance Factory during World War II, and stayed, settling with the family on the post-war council estate appended to the village of Woolavington.
Roadworks report for #Highbridge, Thu 1 Oct, 2026:
CLOSED: Stoddens Lane, Woolavington Road
SINGLE-FILE TRAFFIC: Burnham Road, Lower Road
CheapFuelNearMe.uk/street-manager/highbridge/
CLOSED: Stoddens Lane, Woolavington Road
SINGLE-FILE TRAFFIC: Burnham Road, Lower Road
CheapFuelNearMe.uk/street-manager/highbridge/
October 1, 2026 at 7:10 AM
Roadworks report for #Highbridge, Thu 1 Oct, 2026:
CLOSED: Stoddens Lane, Woolavington Road
SINGLE-FILE TRAFFIC: Burnham Road, Lower Road
CheapFuelNearMe.uk/street-manager/highbridge/
CLOSED: Stoddens Lane, Woolavington Road
SINGLE-FILE TRAFFIC: Burnham Road, Lower Road
CheapFuelNearMe.uk/street-manager/highbridge/
Efforts to replace the 37 Sports and Social Club near #Somerset's new £4bn 'gigafactory' have been delayed by a #flooding report: www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/news/2660283... #LDReporter #Puriton #Woolavington
Replacement of social club near Somerset 'gigafactory' delayed
This Is Gravity Ltd. promised to build a replacement for the 37 Sports and Social Club as part of the delivery of the new £4bn 'gigafactory'
www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk
October 5, 2026 at 7:05 AM
Efforts to replace the 37 Sports and Social Club near #Somerset's new £4bn 'gigafactory' have been delayed by a #flooding report: www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/news/2660283... #LDReporter #Puriton #Woolavington
Roadworks report for #Highbridge, Wed 30 Sep, 2026:
CLOSED: Stoddens Lane, Woolavington Road
SINGLE-FILE TRAFFIC: Burnham Road, Lower Road
CheapFuelNearMe.uk/street-manager/highbridge/
CLOSED: Stoddens Lane, Woolavington Road
SINGLE-FILE TRAFFIC: Burnham Road, Lower Road
CheapFuelNearMe.uk/street-manager/highbridge/
September 30, 2026 at 6:13 AM
Roadworks report for #Highbridge, Wed 30 Sep, 2026:
CLOSED: Stoddens Lane, Woolavington Road
SINGLE-FILE TRAFFIC: Burnham Road, Lower Road
CheapFuelNearMe.uk/street-manager/highbridge/
CLOSED: Stoddens Lane, Woolavington Road
SINGLE-FILE TRAFFIC: Burnham Road, Lower Road
CheapFuelNearMe.uk/street-manager/highbridge/
170 new homes could soon be built on the #B3141 #Woolavington Hill, less than a mile from #Somerset's new £4bn 'gigafactory': www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/news/2550262... #LDReporter
170 homes planned within a mile of Somerset's £4bn 'gigafactory'
It's one of several developments which could be coming to Woolavington in the coming years
www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk
September 29, 2025 at 12:55 PM
170 new homes could soon be built on the #B3141 #Woolavington Hill, less than a mile from #Somerset's new £4bn 'gigafactory': www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/news/2550262... #LDReporter
With today's weather I am considering my life choices. However, this is a sportive not an audax 💸💸💸
And although 8 years has passed since I last did this I see one secteur near Woolavington is still there 💩
I also remember last time saying "Never again!" 😬
And although 8 years has passed since I last did this I see one secteur near Woolavington is still there 💩
I also remember last time saying "Never again!" 😬
June 6, 2026 at 8:14 AM
With today's weather I am considering my life choices. However, this is a sportive not an audax 💸💸💸
And although 8 years has passed since I last did this I see one secteur near Woolavington is still there 💩
I also remember last time saying "Never again!" 😬
And although 8 years has passed since I last did this I see one secteur near Woolavington is still there 💩
I also remember last time saying "Never again!" 😬
Funnily enough I would think that the name Woolavington sounds more fictional than Widdington (but on the other hand there are some very weird and wonderful place names).
February 18, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Funnily enough I would think that the name Woolavington sounds more fictional than Widdington (but on the other hand there are some very weird and wonderful place names).
My dad's band in Woolavington c.1966. Dad at the front with maracas.
July 29, 2023 at 10:05 AM
My dad's band in Woolavington c.1966. Dad at the front with maracas.
#Woolavington is already proving to be a big target for housing developers - and now Gladman is throwing another 85 homes into the mix: www.somersetlive.co.... #LDReporter #Somerset
85 homes planned near 'gigafactory' site
More detailed plans will come forward in the summer
www.somersetlive.co.uk
June 12, 2025 at 8:15 PM
#Woolavington is already proving to be a big target for housing developers - and now Gladman is throwing another 85 homes into the mix: www.somersetlive.co.... #LDReporter #Somerset
150 new homes will soon be built on #Cossington Lane in #Woolavington - less than two miles from #Somerset's new £4bn gigafactory: www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/news/2596068... #LDReporter #B3141
150 new homes approved near Somerset's £4bn 'gigafactory'
Bloor Homes South West has secured outline planning permission to build 150 houses within two miles of the Gravity enterprise zone
www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk
March 23, 2026 at 6:13 PM
150 new homes will soon be built on #Cossington Lane in #Woolavington - less than two miles from #Somerset's new £4bn gigafactory: www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/news/2596068... #LDReporter #B3141
Agratas has promised that the Huntspill River (between #Bridgwater and #Highbridge) will not be used to cool the £4bn 'gigafactory' currently being constructed at the Gravity enterprise zone between #Puriton and #Woolavington: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2647304... #LDReporter #Somerset
Fears new £4bn Somerset 'gigafactory' to be cooled using river water allayed
Building One within the Gravity enterprise zone will be operational by late-2027 - and Agratas has made a cast-iron pledge regarding the nearby river
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
August 18, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Agratas has promised that the Huntspill River (between #Bridgwater and #Highbridge) will not be used to cool the £4bn 'gigafactory' currently being constructed at the Gravity enterprise zone between #Puriton and #Woolavington: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2647304... #LDReporter #Somerset
Lane closures will be in place on the #M5 until Saturday (September 26) for surveying work to create the new 'junction 22A' between #Bridgwater and #Highbridge: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2657623... #LDReporter #Somerset #BurnhamonSea #Puriton #Woolavington
M5 lane closures planned amid new Somerset junction leading to 'gigafactory'
Initial surveys are being undertaken as part of a £100m project to deliver a new junction to link the M5 to the Gravity enterprise zone
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
September 24, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Lane closures will be in place on the #M5 until Saturday (September 26) for surveying work to create the new 'junction 22A' between #Bridgwater and #Highbridge: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2657623... #LDReporter #Somerset #BurnhamonSea #Puriton #Woolavington
#NHS #Somerset has stated a new GP surgery will be needed to make the proposed 'West #Woolavington' development of 1,550 homes sustainable: www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/news/2654921... #LDReporter
New GP surgery needed to cope with 1,550 homes near Somerset 'gigafactory'
Persimmon Homes Severn Valley intends to deliver more than 1,500 new homes in the West Woolavington development near the Gravity site
www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk
September 15, 2026 at 3:21 PM
#NHS #Somerset has stated a new GP surgery will be needed to make the proposed 'West #Woolavington' development of 1,550 homes sustainable: www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/news/2654921... #LDReporter
Plans to build 150 homes on #Cossington Lane in #Woolavington - a short distance from #Somerset's new 'gigafactory' - have been approved by @somersetcouncil.bsky.social for a second time: www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/news/2653921... #LDReporter
Plans for 150 new homes in village approved for second time
Plans for new homes on Cossington Lane were originally approved in March - but more time is needed to finalise the necessary legal agreements
www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk
September 11, 2026 at 6:46 AM
Plans to build 150 homes on #Cossington Lane in #Woolavington - a short distance from #Somerset's new 'gigafactory' - have been approved by @somersetcouncil.bsky.social for a second time: www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/news/2653921... #LDReporter
Yes, it was! My dad grew up in Woolavington.
November 16, 2024 at 9:34 PM
Yes, it was! My dad grew up in Woolavington.
The setting for the story, an old village called Widdington with hundreds of prefab houses suddenly bolted onto it, is inspired by Woolavington in Somerset, where my dad grew up. His family were from the East End of London and went to Somerset to work at the Royal Ordnance Factory during WWII.
October 8, 2023 at 6:35 AM
The setting for the story, an old village called Widdington with hundreds of prefab houses suddenly bolted onto it, is inspired by Woolavington in Somerset, where my dad grew up. His family were from the East End of London and went to Somerset to work at the Royal Ordnance Factory during WWII.
Alt version of this on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CvRt4boobVw/?igshid=MmU2YjMzNjRlOQ==
Ray Newman on Instagram: "Ginger Ellis & the Dracos, Woolavington, c.1966. That's my dad, ‘Ginger ...
0 likes, 0 comments - ray.newman on July 29, 2023: "Ginger Ellis & the Dracos, Woolavington, c.1966. That's my dad, ‘Ginger Ellis’, at the back.
..."
www.instagram.com
July 29, 2023 at 10:08 AM
Alt version of this on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CvRt4boobVw/?igshid=MmU2YjMzNjRlOQ==
Jan. 1, 1922: King George V bestows New Year's honors on notables of the British Empire, including "Peter Pan" playwright James Barrie, who is given the Order of Merit, and Canadian-born whiskey tycoon James Buchanan, who is created Baron Woolavington.
December 12, 2024 at 3:44 AM
Jan. 1, 1922: King George V bestows New Year's honors on notables of the British Empire, including "Peter Pan" playwright James Barrie, who is given the Order of Merit, and Canadian-born whiskey tycoon James Buchanan, who is created Baron Woolavington.
www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/news/2555515... I just love how Cllr Red Smed ! Takes credit for ALL THE WORK & FINANCING OF BRIDGWATER’s Cinema Complex @ Northgate ! The e Battery site ( Former ROF ) Woolavington - This was indeed The Previous SDC CONSERVATIVE COUNCIL -SCC not BTC !
Cllr Brian Smedley column: Another Bridgwater is possible
Bridgwater’s positive transformation highlighted - community events, local pride, investment, and progress challenge social media negativity.
www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk
October 22, 2025 at 8:53 AM
www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/news/2555515... I just love how Cllr Red Smed ! Takes credit for ALL THE WORK & FINANCING OF BRIDGWATER’s Cinema Complex @ Northgate ! The e Battery site ( Former ROF ) Woolavington - This was indeed The Previous SDC CONSERVATIVE COUNCIL -SCC not BTC !
#Somerset's new £4bn gigafactory will benefit from a more stable source of electricity after @somersetcouncil.bsky.social approved these two sets of plans: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2622413... #LDReporter #Woolavington #B3141
Power grid upgrades for gigafactory near M5 in Somerset approved despite concerns
Council has approved two sets of plans which will provide a more stable source of electricity for Somerset's new £4bn gigafactory
www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk
June 25, 2026 at 9:04 AM
#Somerset's new £4bn gigafactory will benefit from a more stable source of electricity after @somersetcouncil.bsky.social approved these two sets of plans: www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/2622413... #LDReporter #Woolavington #B3141
The small village of #Woolavington, near #Somerset's new £4bn gigafactory, could be "permanently altered" by nearly 2,000 new homes over the next decade - something which greatly worries #Bridgwater MP @ashley7fox.bsky.social: www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/news/2615597... #LDReporter #A39 #B3141
Small village near Somerset 'gigafactory' could see nearly 2,000 new homes
Woolavington lies on the edge of Somerset's new 'gigafactory' - and locals are concerned that local services won't keep pace…
www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk
June 1, 2026 at 5:09 PM
The small village of #Woolavington, near #Somerset's new £4bn gigafactory, could be "permanently altered" by nearly 2,000 new homes over the next decade - something which greatly worries #Bridgwater MP @ashley7fox.bsky.social: www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/news/2615597... #LDReporter #A39 #B3141