Somerset has been captivated by numerous reports throughout 2021.

The coronavirus, politics and Euro football fever have been popular topics.

Corn Somerset Live readers have also been drawn to stories of ‘outrageous’ attraction prices, secret Hollywood film sets, billion pound auto factory deals and poorly rated beach resorts.

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We’ve compiled a list of the biggest stories that rocked Somerset this year.

Below are seven of the most read articles on the Somerset Live website throughout 2021.

Man knocks at “outrageous” prices to visit Roman baths

In July, a man struck after being charged an “outrageous” price to visit the Roman Baths.

Andrew Keeling, 48, from Guildford, Surrey, visited Bath on June 27 with his wife and seven-year-old daughter.

He found himself in shock after having to pay £ 27 for an adult ticket and £ 19.50 for a child ticket, with a total bill of £ 73.50 to see the attraction, which is run by Bath and the North East Somerset Council.

Mr Keeling, who works for a software company, believes the entrance fees mean working-class families will not be able to afford to visit the baths.

He said: “I have been visiting Bath for 30 years and just think the price is quite outrageous, especially for children.

“They said they offer subsidized tickets for some family groups, but £ 19.50 for a child is quite expensive.

“An adult costs £ 27 which is extremely expensive. I am all for making a contribution, but now only upper middle class families can afford it.”

Mr Keeling continued: “My daughter is seven and she is getting to know the Romans and the site is one of the most impressive Roman sites to visit in the UK – and probably in Europe too.

“But the prize will prevent some working-class families from visiting such an important and fascinating site.

“I know it’s different, but the National Gallery in London is free.

“The average family with an average income can’t afford it, it’s almost like they don’t want working class families to visit.”

Yeovil Town captain Lee Collins has died aged 32

Tributes have poured in for Yeovil Town club captain Lee Collins, who died in April at the age of 32.

Club bosses have said they “mourn the loss” of the former Wolves player who died on Wednesday March 31.

A spokesperson for the club said: “Lee is sadly passed away and our hearts and prayers are with his family and friends.”

Liverpool FC tweeted: “Our hearts go out to Lee’s family and friends. Rest in peace, Lee Collins.”

While football legend Gary Lineker said: “This is horrible. RIP Lee.”

The center-back graduated from Wolverhampton Wanderers Academy to go professional in February 2007.

Throughout his career, Lee has played at several clubs, including Forest Green Rovers in May 2017.

The club tweeted: “We are sad to hear of the passing of former FGR captain Lee Collins. Lee played for the Rovers between 2017 and 2019, making 64 appearances.

“Our hearts go out to Lee’s family during this time.”

He joined Yeovil Town in June 2019.

Somerset named one of UK’s worst seaside resorts

Weston-super-Mare was ranked as the second worst seaside town in the UK according to a survey by Which? consumer watchdog released in May.

Over 4,000 people were asked about their recent trips to seaside towns and resorts.

Ratings were based on beaches, attractions, value for money, peace and quiet, and scenery.

While Bamburgh, Northumberland grabbed the top spot, Somerset’s most famous seaside resort missed the mark.

Weston-super-Mare received an average customer score of just 55%, with ratings for scenery and value for money of just one star.

Visitors’ ratings for beaches, attractions and peace and quiet were two stars, and the average hotel price was £ 72 per night.

However, this cleaned up the town designated as the worst in the country – Skegness in Lincolnshire – by seven percent.

Woman “afraid to leave the field” after travelers occupy Bath site

In May, a woman revealed she was “afraid to leave her land” after eight caravans arrived at the Carrswood View travelers’ site in Bath.

There were eight permanent locations and five transit locations at the location on the A36 Lower Bristol Road.

The woman – who declined to be identified – is a permanent resident at the site and said she “saw a few guys hanging out in a car” as she left for work.

On his return at 7:00 p.m., eight trailers and eight cars had been brought to Carrswood View and parked at the staging areas.

Police were called and intervened around 10 p.m., she said.

The woman said: “They all came in and blocked us. There are travelers like me who live here and they blocked the main entrance and pulled these massive blocks out of their way.

“It’s not like they entered peacefully, they don’t have to be like that. We are all afraid to leave our plots. They entered the electrical shed, but they don’t want to engage with it. we.”

She said around 20 people came to the site and occupied the transit locations without permission. The official route for camping at Carswood View is to call Elim Housing and be assessed for a location.

The local woman said: “The transit cabins have a bathroom and a kitchen, next to your pitch, but obviously they’re all locked.

“At the moment, the new arrivals are dismantling the accommodation in the chalet in an attempt to enter, because they only have access to one toilet, which a resident has let them use.

“This is not enough for 20 people, however, so it could become a health and safety issue.”

US auto giant Rivian targets Somerset for massive £ 1bn gigafactory

Over the summer, it emerged that a massive £ 1billion gigafactory could arrive in Somerset amid urgent talks between the government and an American auto giant.

Rivian, a California-based electric vehicle company valued at over $ 100 billion, is considering a 635-acre smart campus called Gravity in Puriton, near Bridgwater, as the base for a new plant.

The relatively new automaker, which specializes in SUV-type vehicles, has yet to go into full-scale production, but is preparing a new plant outside the United States.

Somerset’s proposed gigafactory would be the tallest building in the UK if built, and the deal would be the biggest car deal in the UK since the 1980s, a source familiar with the earlier talks said. Somerset Live , creating up to 40,000 new direct and indirect jobs.

However, it is understood that the US automaker, backed by large international companies like Amazon and Ford, is also considering two locations within the EU.

Government ministers have been in talks with the California company since September this year, and Somerset Live understands that a large group of Rivian representatives visited the Gravity site in September.

While talks were suspended as the company finalized its IPO in the United States, talks are now resuming, with the British government offering additional incentives to Rivian, according to the Financial Times.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is closely involved in attempts to woo Rivian’s leadership, it has been reported.

Hugh Grant seen in Somerset town buying a sausage roll

In April, readers flocked to a story about Hugh Grant spotted in Somerset.

The Four Weddings and a Funeral star was spotted in Frome on April 13, just days after attending a virtual BAFTA awards ceremony in London.

He was recognized by the staff at the Parsons bakery in Badcox, Frome, as he allegedly purchased a sausage roll.

Sophie Jayne Ilott, who works as an assistant manager at the bakery, served the actor and said he was a “nice man who was very polite and spoke well.”

Doctor Strange 2 filming in Somerset

In April, the people of Somerset spotted Marvel Studios filming scenes from its latest film, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, in the county.

Local sources have captured footage of the £ 2million filming at the local Burrow Hill farm near Martock, with the filming spanning several days.

The film was made as a sequel to the release of Doctor Strange in 2016, with the main character played by actor Benedict Cumberbatch.

It is set to become the 28th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and will be released on March 25, 2022.

Benedict Cumberbatch was spotted tasting local cider on the set.

In the images that have circulated on Twitter, the actor could be seen walking up the hill from Burrow Hill Farm, wearing a mustard corduroy jacket with a bottle of cider in hand.