Friday 21st November

Friday, 21 November 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A public inquiry is being held into plans to build a large solar farm in the village of Wayford. Fire crews have put out a small blaze at Tesco in Chard. Canadian firm KDC One is closing its Wellington factory, putting dozens of jobs at risk. It's Ilminster's turn to switch on the Christmas lights tonight... and more.

A public inquiry is being held into plans to build a large solar farm in the village of Wayford, between Chard and Crewkerne. Greentech Invest UK Ltd plan to develop the solar farm on 64 acres of farmland off Chard Lane in Wayford. The applicant claims it will provide 19,000 megawatts of renewable electricity, enough to power 5,000 homes. The public inquiry is scheduled to begin over four days on February 10th.

Fire crews have put out a small blaze at the Tesco store in Shudrick Lane in Chard. The cause has been traced to an electrical fan in a plant room, which is thought to have overheated and caught alight. The outbreak, which happened at around 9.30 am on Wednesday, was quickly brought under control by crews from Chard, Martock, Crewkerne and Ilminster. No one was injured.

Police are looking for a man with links to Somerset in connection with a serious assault on a woman in Devon. Tobias King, aged 36, lives in Teignmouth, but police say he could be in Chard or Yeovil. They want to question him in connection with an incident in Honiton on November 8th. King is described as around 6ft tall with short blond hair and a beard. Police say he could be seeking work on building sites.

The government has awarded a £600,00 grant to improve the regulation of so-called micro-providers of care services in Somerset. The Somerset Cares Alliance says the money will be used to develop new systems to safeguard staff and clients.

Canadian firm KDC One is closing its Wellington factory, putting dozens of jobs at risk. In October, the cosmetics firm claimed it wanted to expand in the UK and Europe. But this week, KDC One has confirmed it is closing its Wellington factory and shifting production to Scotland, citing manufacturing-related factors.

It's Ilminster's turn to switch on the Christmas lights tonight. The event starts with market stalls and other attractions in the town centre, starting at 1.30 pm, with the lights switched on at 7 pm.

More from News

Thursday 20th November

Taunton Town Council has agreed to provide funding for five years to support the town's Brewhouse Theatre. The Environment Agency is warning that Somerset could experience a drought next spring if this winter is drier than usual. We’re being asked to look out for rough sleepers during the current cold snap...and more
Wednesday 19th November

Yeovil MP Adam Dance is calling for stronger preventative measures to stop sewage discharges into local waterways. Somerset Council is to provide three new children's homes across the County. Street Football Club has appointed a father-and-son team to manage the club... and more.
Tuesday 18th November

Somerset Council has set up a task force to help identify land for a permanent traveller’s site in the county. Police are appealing for information after a charity shop in Martock was targeted by burglars. A Somerset woman is seeking individuals with a connection to the armed forces to join a new amateur rowing club...and more.
Monday 17th November

Workers belonging to the Unite union at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil are threatening further strike action. Dunelm says its Yeovil store in the Quedam will reopen on Tuesday, December 16th. A nurse working at Yeovil Hospital has won a place in the final of Miss England...and more.
Friday 14th November

Yeovil Hospital has introduced a new system for handling patients at its A&E department aimed at cutting waiting times. It’s claimed that an Iron Age settlement preserved under Somerset's wetlands for 2,000 years is facing erosion due to climate change. Montacute Road in Tintinhull will be closed for five days next week for repairs to a gas main.
Thursday 13th November

Workers at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil are taking part in a second day of strike action in their dispute over pay. Lloyds Bank has closed its branch in Chard permanently. A week-long programme of tree planting will be held at Ham Hill later this month to mark National Tree Week...and more
Wednesday 12th November

Workers belonging to the Unite union at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil begin a two-day strike today. Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, has been speaking in a parliamentary debate on improving dyslexia support in schools. South Western Ambulance Service is inviting applications for positions on its governing council...and more
Tuesday 11th November

Somerset residents are being urged to get a flu jab as cases of flu continue to rise. Seven horse saddles have been stolen in a break-in at a riding school in Queen Camel. Donations of children’s toys are needed for this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal...and more