Thursday 16th April

Thursday, 16 April 2026 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Wessex Water has been told to pay £300,000 after a sewer spilled into the River Yeo killing dozens of fish. The Brewhouse Theatre in Taunton has been given a grant of half a million pounds. Today marks the official opening of the new visitor centre at Ham Hill... and more

Wessex Water has been told to pay £300,000 after a backed-up sewer spilled into the River Yeo near Milborne Port, killing dozens of fish. The company has also been ordered to pay £6,500 towards the costs incurred by the Environment Agency in investigating the incident. The agency says the money paid by Wessex Water will be used by the Yeovil Rivers Community Trust to create reedbeds and ponds at Yeovil Country Park, including work to protect endangered water voles.

A consultant at Musgrove Park Hospital wants surgical caps worn in operating theatres to display the name of the staff member wearing them. Andy Stevenson, an orthopaedic surgeon at Musgrove Park, says not knowing the names of colleagues during an operation can contribute to mistakes, delays and unnecessary anxiety.

The Brewhouse Theatre in Taunton has been given a grant of half a million pounds by the government. The funding will be used to install new LED stage lighting, providing theatre-goers with ‘West End quality’ lighting.

A café in Langport has started a Meals on Wheels service, delivering hot dinners to local residents. The Angel Café runs the service two days every week. Anyone wanting a meal delivered should visit the Angel Café website to make a booking.

Yeovil MP Adam Dance has called for more police to tackle knife crime. The government says that since it came to power, knife crime has fallen by 8%. However, Mr Dance says it remains a significant problem and that more officers are needed to bring it under control.

Today marks the official opening of the new visitor centre at Ham Hill. The centre, which cost one million pounds, offers space for learning and celebrates the heritage of the Iron Age hill fort. John Day, a long-serving volunteer at Ham Hill, will perform the opening.

More from News

Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more