Thursday 12th November

Thursday, 12 November 2026 at 05:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset’s gritters are on standby as temperatures fall below freezing in parts of the county. A major restoration project at Montacute House near Yeovil is nearing completion. Two pubs in our area have been named among the UK's top 100 in the latest Good Food Guide rankings... and more

Somerset’s gritters are on standby as temperatures are forecast to fall below freezing in parts of the county. Somerset Council says road temperatures are being monitored daily so crews can identify when conditions are likely to cause icy roads and gritting is needed. Preparations have been underway throughout the summer, with salt barns stocked up and depots made ready for the winter months. Farm contractors are also on standby to help clear roads if snow arrives.

A major restoration project at Montacute House near Yeovil is nearing completion. Two 17th-century staircases at the National Trust property have been undergoing repairs after years of wear and tear caused by thousands of visitors. The limestone staircase has gradually eroded over time, and the project aims to preserve the historic features for future generations.

Plans have been submitted to extend the pavilion at the Memorial Playing Fields in Milborne Port. The parish council wants to build a 133-square-metre extension, providing improved changing facilities for the teams who use the playing fields. Funding for the project has come from contributions linked to recent housing developments in the village.

Somerset is once again featuring on the small screen, with scenes filmed in the county appearing in the new series of hit television drama Rivals. The latest series began showing on the Disney Channel this week. The East Somerset Railway was among the locations used during filming.

And two pubs in our area have been named among the UK's top 100 in the latest Good Food Guide rankings. The Barrington Boar, in Barrington near Ilminster, has secured 13th place. The Queen's Arms in Corton Denham is also featured, coming in at number 56.

More from News

Wednesday 11th November

Two-thirds of police officers at Avon and Somerset Police say they're often too fatigued to carry out their duties. A local councillor is calling for more female-only accommodation to be provided to help end rough sleeping. Somerset’s motorway service stations have been ranked among some of the worst in the country... and more
Tuesday 10th November

Somerset’s housing target could be cut by almost 15,000 homes. More than half a million pounds in Arts Council funding to Taunton’s Brewhouse Theatre has been handed back. People in Somerset with type 2 diabetes are being invited to join a new research study... and more
Monday 9th November

Facial recognition cameras are to be used by police in Somerset for the first time. Badger culling against bovine TB has officially ended in Somerset. The 5-star Summer Lodge Hotel in Evershot has a new owner...and more
Friday 6th November

Up to 70 jobs could go at the Leonardo helicopter factory in Yeovil. Police are investigating a fire at the former Pittard factory in Yeovil. Families on low incomes are being offered tickets at just £3 to this year’s Yeovil pantomime...and more
Thursday 5th November

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
Wednesday 4th November

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
tuesday 3rd November

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
Monday 2nd November

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