A team of firefighters from Yeovil Fire Station's Red Watch have completed a 270-mile round trip visiting every fire station in Somerset raising money for good causes. Toxic algae which has formed on Chew Valley Reservoir has forced all water-based activities on the reservoir to be suspended. An actor who grew up near Chard has won a top award at the Cannes Film Festival...and more.
A team of firefighters from Yeovil Fire Station's Red Watch have completed a 270-mile round trip visiting every fire station in Somerset. The marathon raised money for the Firefighters Charity and the Little Princess Trust which supports a relative of a Yeovil firefighter who's being treated for a rare form of cancer.
An actor who grew up near Chard has won a top award at the Cannes Film Festival. Josh Taylor took the Best Actor Award for playing the lead role in The Chocolate Club described as a festive romantic comedy that was filmed in Cornwall. Josh who lived at Cricket St Thomas before taking up an acting career also stars in the Riders series which can be viewed on Amazon Prime.
Potentially toxic algae which has formed on Chew Valley Reservoir has forced all water-based activities on the reservoir to be suspended. Scientists say it’s normal for algae to form on warmer waters, but that it can be harmful to marine and human life. They say due to pollution and climate change, the formation of algae in open waters is on the increase.
An archaeological team on the Quantock have made discoveries from more than a thousand years ago. They've been excavating on the Cothelstone Estate where they've found a burial site from the Saxon times.
A bookshop in Shepton Mallet that raises money for local charities is celebrating five years of trading. Since its launch, the Community Bookshop at 15 the High St in Shepton has raised more than thirty thousand for local good causes.
The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.
A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,