Thursday 15th January

Thursday, 15 January 2026 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The company behind a proposed tidal lagoon between Watchet and Minehead says it could create up to eight thousand jobs. A third councillor on Somerset Council has joined Reform UK. St Margaret's Hospice says this year’s Christmas tree collection scheme raised forty-seven thousand pounds...and more.

The company behind a proposed tidal lagoon between Watchet and Minehead says it could create up to 8,000 jobs during the construction phase. It’s claimed the eleven-billion-pound scheme will provide enough electricity for around two million homes.

Somerset MP's, including Yeovil MP Adam Dance, have had a meeting with the Local Government Minister, Alison McGovern, over concerns that Somerset Council is being ‘short-changed’ over the funding of statutory services like adult social care and children’s services. Last week, the Leader of Somerset Council, Bill Revans, warned that in the absence of more central government support, council tax in Somerset is likely to rise by 11%. But the Conservative MP for Bridgwater, Ashley Fox, says Somerset Council should be making further savings.

People across Somerset are being asked to track the arrival of spring by recording seasonal changes in nature. The 'Signs of Spring' survey invites people to report sightings of seasonal indicators such as daffodils, snowdrops and bumblebees on the Field Studies Council’s website.

A third councillor on Somerset Council has joined Reform UK. John Cook-Woodman has represented Highbridge and Burnham South for more than 16-years as a Conservative. He says he thinks Reform are 'best-placed to deliver for Britain'.

St Margaret's Hospice says this year’s Christmas tree collection scheme raised a record amount. Every year, the charity collects used Christmas trees in exchange for a donation, raising 47,000 pounds this year.

Part of Crewkerne town centre is closed to traffic this week. South Street is shut between Cropmead and Kithill until Saturday for resurfacing work. Two diversion routes are in operation, one for cars and the other for HGVs.

More from News

Monday 15th June

People in Somerset are being asked to take part in a new survey about alcohol use. Yeovil's MP Adam Dance will lead a debate in Parliament today on NHS dentistry. A Yeovil runner has been selected to represent England at a national endurance championship... and more
Friday 12th June

It's claimed the increasing availability of drugs such as ketamine and cocaine has normalised drug use among young people in Somerset. The trial of a man accused of killing his one-month-old son in Chard begins today at Bristol Crown Court. A stone pillar outside the Langport Arms Hotel in Langport has been replaced after it was destroyed in a car crash... and more
Thursday 11th June

Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to the three aircrew from RNAS Yeovilton who died in last week's helicopter crash in Devon. Two men have been arrested and stolen vehicles seized following a major multi-agency operation in South Somerset. An event highlighting opportunities for women in the aerospace industry has been held in Yeovil... and more
Wednesday 10th June

The public will be consulted on how best to spend fifty million pounds of government funding to tackle flooding in Somerset. Avon and Somerset Police are backing a new road safety campaign aimed at reducing motorcycle fatalities. New welcome signs have been installed at entrances to the Mendip Hills National Landscape... and more
Tuesday 9th June

The government has announced a £50 million investment to strengthen Somerset’s flood defences. A woman from Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been banned from driving for 14 months after admitting drink-driving. Somerset Council has been told it must improve its adult social care services... and more
Monday 8th June

Plans for a new railway station in Langport remain stalled in Whitehall, according to Somerset Council. Plans to build 50 new homes in Broadway, near Ilminster, have been refused. The new water fountains in Yeovil’s Triangle, in Lower Middle Street, are being switched off during very hot weather because of safety concerns... and more.
Friday 5th June

A new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne says it won’t start operating at full capacity until July due to staff shortages. Somerset Council says it has no plans to show England matches in the World Cup on the Big Screen in Yeovil town centre due to safety concerns. A Somerset family has been thanked after completing a 73-mile walk raising money for a third world charity... and more
Thursday 4th June

An investigation continues today into the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter, based at RNAS Yeovilton, in which all three aircrew were killed. Somerset Council has confirmed that a new operator will take over several leisure centres across the county. The new live-action Masters of the Universe movie, filmed in Somerset, is released this week...and more