Monday 8th September

Monday, 8 September 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Farmers in Somerset will be driving their tractors to protest at Labour’s annual Party Conference in Liverpool later this month. A Somerset animal rescue centre says it’s dealing with a surge in the number of large dog breeds being surrendered or rehomed. The George Inn in Ilminster has announced that it will be reopening to customers on Monday, September 15th...and more

Farmers in Somerset will be driving their tractors to Labour’s annual Party Conference in Liverpool later this month to protest about the government’s planned changes to inheritance tax. The demonstration, organised by Farmers to Action, will see farmers from all around the UK converge on Labour’s conference, which starts in Liverpool on September 28th. They want the government to scrap the inheritance tax changes that will impose a 20% tax on inherited agricultural assets worth more than £1 million from April next year.

A Somerset animal rescue centre says it’s dealing with a surge in the number of large dog breeds being surrendered or rehomed. Happy Landings Animal Rescue in Shepton Mallet says 200 big dogs, including bully breeds and German Shepherds, have been brought to it so far this year. A spokesperson blames the increase on owners not being prepared to give the training, exercise, and care that big dogs need.

A breast cancer charity is starting new monthly help sessions in Yeovil. Breast Cancer Now holds its first “Living with Secondary Breast Cancer” session on Tuesday, September 16th at the Westlands Entertainment venue.

Heritage train rides will soon start running out of Shillingstone station in North Dorset. It follows the completion of work to re-lay the track and sidings that were once part of the Somerset and Dorset line. The North Dorset Railway group says steam and diesel rides will run along 780 meters of track, passing over the Lamb House Bridge, before returning to the station platform.

The Ilminster and District Lions Club has thanked the people who donated items to send to Ukraine. Since the start of the war with Russia, Ilminster Lions has sent 31 boxes of personal care products, baby clothes and medical supplies to the people of Ukraine.

Drivers are again using Junction 26 on the M5 in Somerset. The junction was shut in June for the Chelston Link road to be resurfaced.

The George Inn in Ilminster has announced that it will reopen to customers on Monday, September 15th.

More from News

Thursday 30th October

Bird flu has been found at a nature reserve in Somerset, closing part of it down. St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset is calling for the hospice sector to be given more central funding. The Barrington Boar in Barrington has been placed 12th in The Good Food Guide’s list of 100 best pubs in Britain... and more
Wednesday 29th October

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.
Tuesday 28th October

Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more
Monday 27th October

The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more
Friday 24th October

New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more
Thursday 23rd October

Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more
Wednesday 22nd October

A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more .
Tuesday 21st October

Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid out compensation of £23 million for claims related to birth injuries. A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre...and more