Monday 17th August

Monday, 17 August 2026 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Wessex Water, who supplies almost all homes and businesses in Somerset, has introduced a hosepipe ban effective from midnight tonight. A sinkhole on Station Road in Castle Cary has been repaired, two years after it was first discovered. A Wildcat helicopter from RNAS Yeovilton has taken part in the annual passing-out parade at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth... and more

Breaking News; Wessex Water, who supplies almost all homes and businesses in Somerset, has introduced a hosepipe ban effective from midnight tonight. The decision follows more than 40 days of demand for water at record-breaking levels and the South West declared in a drought. It means customers must not use a hosepipe for activities such as watering gardens, washing cars, patios, paths and driveways, cleaning windows or filling swimming and paddling pools. The ban is the first time in 50 years that Wessex Water has introduced restrictions on water use, the last time being the drought of 1976.

A sinkhole on Station Road in Castle Cary has been repaired, two years after it was first discovered. Somerset Council says an initial attempt to fix what appeared to be a localised depression in the road revealed a much more complex problem, involving damage to a culvert beneath the road. The council says the work has involved deep excavation, extensive investigation and close coordination with utility companies.

A 34-year-old man from Chard has been jailed for sexual offences involving a child. Andrew McLeod, of Victoria Avenue in Chard, pleaded guilty when he appeared at Taunton Crown Court. He was sentenced to 22 months in prison, suspended for two years. He must also complete 200 hours of unpaid work and 40 rehabilitation activity days. McLeod has also been given a sexual harm prevention order lasting five years.

A former care home in Yeovil is set to become a care home again. Tyndale House, on Preston Road, closed as a care home in 2019 before being converted into an 18-bed house in multiple occupation in 2021.The owners, Tyndale Limited, have now secured planning permission from Somerset Council to return the building to use as a fully functioning care home.

Somerset Council is carrying out urgent repairs to three of its buildings in Yeovil. The work is taking place at Goldenstones Leisure Centre in Brunswick Street, Lufton Depot on the Lufton Industrial Estate, and Petters House in Petters Way. The repairs are expected to continue through the rest of the summer and into early autumn, with the council saying the timetable is designed to minimise disruption to the public.

A Wildcat helicopter from RNAS Yeovilton has taken part in the annual passing-out parade for junior officers at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth. The aircraft, from 825 Naval Air Squadron, performed a flypast marking the completion of 29 weeks of intensive training for 150 junior officers that included 134 officers from the Royal Navy and 16 from allied partner navies.

More from News

Friday 30th October

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
Thursday 29th October

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
Wednesday 28th October

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
Tuesday 27th October

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
Monday 26th October

Eligible groups in Somerset are being encouraged to get their flu jabs. There’s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside Avon & Somerset Police’s control room. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, has visited Yeovil... and more.
Friday 23rd October

Somerset is the 11th most challenging place in England to be a child according to a report. Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire could have its own elected ‘Wessex Mayor’ by 2028. Cricketer, Ian Botham returns to the county this weekend... and more.
Thursday 22nd October

The NFU says that testing for the virus Bluetongue needs to be sped up. Construction of new flats on Yeovil’s Grimsby Corner site will officially begin next year. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind tomorrow... and more.
Wednesday 21st October

The owner of campsite in Somerset says a two-thousand-seven-hundred percent increase in business rates will be 'catastrophic' for his business. Plans to build nearly 300 new homes on the outskirts of Chard have been given the go ahead. Yeovil Town are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Leatherhead 5-2 at Huish Park last night... and more