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 Ilminster. 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 Ilminster. 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 30th April

More than 4,500 people have expressed interest in joining a new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne. Somerset Council says a long-term solution is needed to make Hendford Hill in Yeovil fully safe for motorists. A Somerset man has won first prize at the World Marmalade Awards... and more
Wednesday 29th April

Somerset Council says Hendford Hill in Yeovil should be fully reopened to traffic by the end of May. Plans have been approved to build 40 new homes in Crewkerne. A huge pile of illegally dumped rubbish in Glastonbury has been cleared... and more
Tuesday 28th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision at Rimpton. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in South Petherton. Former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson has been retained as first-team manager of Taunton Town for next season... and more
Monday 27th April

A former school in Sherborne has been badly damaged by fire. A care home in Yeovil has been rated outstanding. ublic spaces in West Coker owned by Somerset Council are being handed over to the parish council. Mendip Golf Club has presented a cheque for £12,000 to Mind in Somerset... and more
Friday 24th April

Plans have been submitted to turn a property on Preston Road in Yeovil into a House in Multiple Occupation. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has been recalled to the England Red Roses starting line-up for tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations game against Wales. Three sisters from Yeovil will be running the London Marathon this weekend in support of Guide Dogs UK... and more
Thursday 23rd April

Helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton have completed six weeks of sorties, protecting Cyprus from attacks by Iran. People in Somerset who use domestic heating oil are calling on the government to regulate the oil supply industry. Patients are being invited to register at a new NHS dentist in Crewkerne... and more
Wednesday 22nd April

Expectant mothers are using Yeovil Hospital once again to give birth following the reopening of the maternity unit. A Yeovil man has been jailed for four years for committing sexual offences against two young girls. Plans have been approved to convert a pub in Milborne Port into housing... and more
Tuesday 21st April

NHS Somerset has delayed closing the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. A former Avon and Somerset Police officer has been jailed for making indecent images of children. A Somerset man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild animal with dogs... and more