Friday 5th September

Friday, 5 September 2025 06:00

A large water leak in Yeovil closed part of Middle Street last night whilst repairs took place. A Somerset MP has been voicing his concerns over warnings of future flood dangers in the county. The Wincanton branch of Lidl could be demolished to be replaced with a bigger store...and more.

Yeovil has been facing its second mains water issue in a month. Wessex Water closed Middle Street yesterday between Old Station Road and Newton Road to carry out urgent repairs after a large leak. It’s thought around 100 residents have been affected, with Wessex Water setting up a bottled water station on Earl Street, and vulnerable customers receiving deliveries direct to their door.

A Somerset MP has been voicing his concerns over the warnings we shared last week of future flood dangers in the county. The Environment Agency announced in August that it was stopping maintenance on smaller rivers and streams to focus on larger stretches, where the flood risk is greater. But Bridgwater MP, Sir Ashley Fox, told the Commons it was a dangerous move, saying his constituents were concerned that without proper maintenance, the county would see the return of 2013/14 levels of flooding. In response, the Leader of the Commons, Lucy Powell, said ministers would look at it and provide a response, and are determined that the Environment Agency and others are held to account for the actions they take.

The Wincanton branch of Lidl could be demolished to be replaced with a bigger store. The supermarket has made a formal planning application to Somerset Council, with the plans also on show in the store itself. It’s thought the expansion would mean additional jobs, a state-of-the-art store, and a drive-thru unit. The old building would remain open for trade for the majority of the building works, although it would need to close entirely for a few weeks as the plan came to fruition.

The Ferne Animal Sanctuary are putting the final preparations in place for their 31st annual dog show this Sunday. The charity’s 72-acre site near Chard will be the venue for a day out catering for dogs and owners alike. Alongside the contests, there will be an agility course, a sit-and-stay challenge and ‘Temptation Alley’ to test the bond between owners and their dogs.

More from News

Friday 13th March

The first of the new medium lift helicopters being built by Leonardo in Yeovil for the RAF will be delivered in 2031. Somerset Council has launched a public consultation on planned new charges at its two hundred public car parks. More women in Somerset are said to be taking up walking football... and more
Thursday 12th March

A Yeovil headteacher says he’s concerned about plans to stop giving school holiday food vouchers to families on low incomes. The owner of Yeovil Town is calling on fans to be patient as he continues his overhaul of the National League side. A high voltage fault is being blamed for plunging 1700 homes into darkness in the Ilminster area... and more
Wednesday 11th March

Plans have been submitted to convert two properties in Yeovil into houses of multiple occupation. A new court date has been announced for a Yeovil man charged with attempted murder. An engineer who has worked at the Leonardo factory in Yeovil for 40-years has won a top industry award... and more
Tuesday 10th March

Police say a fire at the former Oscar Mayer food factory in Chard was started deliberately. Yeovil College says it would have been adversely affected had Leonardo not won the contract to build new medium-lift helicopters. A seven-foot dragon will be visiting towns and villages in our area during the next few weeks to promote Somerset Day... and more
Monday 9th March

Two Wildcat helicopters from 815 Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton have arrived in Cyprus to help protect RAF Akrotiri from further Iranian drone strikes. New figures show that 40 people were killed on Avon and Somerset’s roads in the last 12-months. A Somerset man has been recalling the day 60-years ago when he was a passenger on the last train on the Somerset and Dorset Railway... and more
Friday 6th March

Defence Minister Luke Pollard has been explaining why it took the government so long to confirm a contract for the Leonardo in Yeovil to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. Police are investigating a break in at a pet shop in Ilminster. Somerset Council is to stop using red ink on council tax reminder letters... and more
Thursday 5th March

Two military helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton are being sent to Cyprus to help bolster UK’s defences amid the US-Israel war with Iran. Yeovil Town Council is seeking legal advice over the closure of the hyper acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. Flood warnings have been lifted on the Somerset Levels... and more
Wednesday 4th March

A man has died in a fire in Wincanton. Somerset Council is planning further cuts of twenty-one million pounds to help balance its books. A campaign to raise £30,000 for a minibus has been launched in Chard... and more