Friday 4th September

Friday, 4 September 2026 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle that came off the road and fell into a ditch near Shepton Mallet. The car had been travelling on the A361 at East Compton Road on the morning of the August 18th. Later the same day, two men were seen removing items from the vehicle before setting it alight. Police are asking for witnesses or anyone with dash footage to please call the non-emergency number 101.

New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. From September nineteenth the maximum standard fare for journeys of up to one mile will rise from four pounds sixty to five pounds and six pence. A standard two-mile journey will cost a maximum of eight pounds sixty, up from seven pounds sixty. The fares are maximums, and operators can still charge less if they choose.

The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre. The fire above a shop in Westminster Street happened on Wednesday at around 8.30 pm. No one was hurt but the flat suffered 50 percent smoke damage.
Hundreds of affordable homes are to be built in Somerset following a government announcement. Magna Housing has been awarded £250 million to build 1,500 new homes in Somerset and Dorset over the next ten years. The cash is being put up by Homes England, the official government agency for housing and regeneration.

A Yeovil man is preparing to swim the English Channel to raise money for a charity teaching children water safety skills. Matt Read, who works at Leonardo in Yeovil, will take part in a Channel relay crossing later this month, supporting Swim Tayka, a charity which aims to prevent drowning through swimming education and water safety programmes for children.

Four gardens in our area will be open to the public from this weekend as part of the National Garden Scheme. Skool Beanz Children's Allotment in the Chilthorne Domer will be open to the public tomorrow, Saturday. On Sunday, the Old Coach House in Templecombe will be open to the public. The Newt in Bruton will be open next Wednesday, September 9th and, Kilver Court Gardens in Shepton Mallet will be open next Friday, September 11th.

More from News

Thursday 8th October

Somerset Council is to press ahead with increases to parking charges at its car parks. Police say increasing numbers of young people in Somerset are riding e-scooters illegally. Wells market has received national recognition...and more
Wednesday 7th October

Somerset Council says it's started talks about what do with the Brewhouse theatre in Taunton after it closes at the end of the month. A Chard man has been sentenced for keeping multiple different dogs despite being banned from doing so. NHS van drivers based in Bridgwater who supply hospitals in Somerset with essential medical equipment will walk out on strike next week... and more
Tuesday 6th October

Prince William is visiting Ilminster today, where he will launch ‘Ready Together’, a new initiative helping communities prepare for emergencies. Barwick and Stoford Primary School near Yeovil says it's confident of emerging stronger after being placed in special measures by Ofsted. Vapes and weight-loss jabs are putting workers at recycling centres in Somerset at risk after being wrongly thrown away...and more
Monday 5th October

Ilminster is gearing up for a Royal visit by Prince William tomorrow. Plans have been approved to convert the former Battens Solicitors building on Princes Street in Yeovil into 21 flats. A 'Just Giving' page has opened for making donations towards Ilminster Carnival which, on Saturday, had to be cancelled midway through due to a gas leak...and more
Friday 2nd October

An investigation's underway after two people died in a collision near Taunton. A Somerset-based charity has warned of the risks of fuel poverty this winter. A Somerset healthcare service has been recognised with a national award.... and more.
Thursday 1st October

765 new homes have been given planning permission on the edge of Yeovil. Somerset Council’s Executive will meet to consider new parking charges. Four of the county’s best military cadets have been appointed as Lord-Lieutenant cadets... and more.
Wednesday 30th September

Police are appealing for a missing 17 year old from Castle Cary. A registered sex offender has been sentenced to 9 years in prison. A former Chard student who is one of six writers in the running to win this year's Booker Prize has paid tribute to his childhood teachers... and more.
Tuesday 29th September

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service say this summer saw record-breaking levels of demand. The charity that runs the Brewhouse Theatre has confirmed that it will definitely close. A Chard charity has launched a minibus service to improve community transport... and more.