Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh has welcomed the decision to give four local schools a share of an improvement fund worth nearly £500 million. People in Somerset are being advised to check their blood pressure by borrowing a monitor from their local library, including Yeovil Library. Ilminster is planning to stage a mass singing of the National Anthem to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. A Yeovil man has moved to Tanzania to teach English and Maths at a school in the town of Arusha...and more.
Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh has welcomed the decision to give four local schools a share of an improvement fund worth nearly £500 million. The Redstart Primary School in Chard will use its allocation for a leaking roof replacement project. Manor Court School in Chard will replace a temporary classroom with the funding. Winsham Primary School in Chard and St Michael's Academy in Yeovil have also been given funding for infrastructure projects.
People in Somerset are being advised to check their blood pressure by borrowing a monitor from their local library, including Yeovil Library. More than 200 blood pressure monitors are now available for people to borrow at local libraries. It's part of a drive by the county council’s public health team to get people to check their blood pressure, with 3 in 10 adults affected by high blood pressure.
A Sherborne woman has been ordered to undertake 100 hours of unpaid work after pleading guilty to selling counterfeit goods on Facebook and e-bay. Weymouth Magistrates' Court was told that Tracey Hampson of South Avenue, Sherborne, was found in possession of fake clothing, footwear, cosmetics and handbags bearing names like Nike, Adidas and Armani, when police made a search of her property.
Ilminster is planning to stage a mass singing of the National Anthem to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The community sing-along takes place on Saturday, June 4th at 7 pm with the whole town invited to join in. Deputy Clerk at Ilminster Town Council, Julie Earp is hoping the mass singing the National Anthem will be as well supported as ‘Clap for the NHS’ was during the pandemic.
An online selling site says Somerset is the fourth-best county in the country for buying antiques. The rating was based on reviews on Trip Advisor.
A Yeovil man has moved to Tanzania to teach English and Maths at a school in the town of Arusha. George Clark left Yeovil back in January and travelled overland to Tanzania to take up a voluntary position with the charity SATINO.
South West Water says reservoir levels in Somerset are starting to recover after recent heavy rainfall. Castle Cary railway station is to get a new footbridge. A young dancer from Martock has been chosen to perform with the English Youth Ballet... and more
People in Somerset will go to the polls in May 2028 to elect a new mayor for the Wessex region. A Somerset farmer who failed a breath test after being caught asleep at the wheel of his tractor has narrowly avoided losing his driving licence. The new Ham Hill Visitor Centre has been named a regional winner in the Building Excellence Awards 2026... and more
Somerset Council says it doesn’t have the money to improve its planning enforcement team. Drivers are being advised that work to replace the central barrier on the M5 near Wellington starts this week. A health food shop in Chard has been crowned High Street Shop of the Year... and more
A motorist was caught driving at 133mph on the A303 between Podimore and Sparkford, according to newly released data from Avon and Somerset Police. Taunton's Brewhouse Theatre closed for the last time at the weekend. Public firework displays in Ilminster and Martock have been cancelled due to rising costs... and more
Wells Cathedral says it's having to get creative to bring in more money as financial pressures continue to grow. A convenience store in Martock has been allowed to keep its alcohol licence despite an employee working there illegally. Police have seized an illegally ridden e-scooter in Yeovil in response to concerns from local residents... and more
A Yeovil man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for attacking his mother with a knife. People in Chard are being reminded that it’s unlawful to attach flags to lamp posts and street furniture. Wincanton Racecourse has called off its 'Badger Chase Day' because the ground is too firm... and more
Leweston School near Sherborne has announced that it is closing with immediate effect. NHS Somerset could merge with neighbours in Bath and North-East Somerset and Dorset to cut costs. Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant has launched a campaign to get more people nominated for national honours... and more
Work has started building a new six-million-pound flood defence scheme in Taunton. Plans have been submitted to build a new church hall in Martock. People are being asked to donate gifts to this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal... and more