Friday 8th August

Friday, 8 August 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Council has paused roadworks on Fore Street in Chard indefinitely due to unforeseen complications. A Somerset farming family says they've lost faith in the government over plans to introduce inheritance tax on farm estates. Memories are being revived of a Live Aid concert in Yeovil from 40 years ago, which raised money for famine relief in Ethiopia.

Somerset Council has paused roadworks on Fore Street in Chard indefinitely due to what it calls unforeseen complications. The repairs, which began in June and were meant to finish by early July, have frustrated local business owners who claim footfall on the High Street in Chard has plummeted.

A Somerset farming family says they've lost faith in the government over plans to introduce inheritance tax on farm estates. Labour says the move will only affect the 500 wealthiest landowners and is aimed at preventing land from not being used for agriculture. But the Kimber family, who've been farming in Wincanton for 80 years, say government policies are unfairly penalising hard-working farming families.

People in Wincanton could miss out on £240,000 for new local facilities if changes to a housing development are approved. Devonshire Homes is building 31 homes at Dancing Green near Wincanton Community Hospital and is seeking to remove its financial contributions for schools, health and leisure, citing viability concerns. Somerset Council is due to decide on the revised plans by early autumn.

Adult education courses in Somerset have been cancelled due to changes in government funding. Maths and English taught as a foreign language, and other Level-2 qualifications will no longer be offered, following updates to the Adult Skills Fund. Somerset Council says it will no longer fund the courses, but that anyone already enrolled will still be able to finish their qualifications.

Building 600 new homes in Yeovil could soon go ahead following the introduction of a new phosphate credit scheme. Plans to build around 12,000 new homes across Somerset are currently delayed due to a lack of phosphate mitigation. New credits, created by fallowing farmland near Yeovil, will allow for work to start building the 600 homes.

Memories are being revived of a Live Aid concert in Yeovil from 40 years ago, when 17 bands played at the Johnson Hall to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia. A film of the event, held on August 30th 1985, is being shown at the Quicksilver Mail pub on Thursday, 28th August, for which tickets are now on sale.

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Thursday 11th December

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
Wednesday 10th December

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
Tuesday 9th December

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.
Monday 8th December

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
Friday 5th December

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.
Thursday 4th December

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
Wednesday 3rd December

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