Thursday 16th October

Thursday, 16 October 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Two mothers in Chard are calling on carnival organisers to make carnivals more accessible to children with special educational needs. 4,000 people have been put on a waiting list at a new NHS dental practice in Somerset. Channel 4’s ‘Love It or List It’ is looking to feature properties in Somerset in a new series... and more

Two mothers in Chard are calling on carnival organisers to make carnivals more accessible to children with special educational needs. Belinda Bishops-Parsons and Livvy Brown want quiet zones and sensory tents provided on all carnival circuits. They claim carnivals are not considerate of SEND children, with noise from floats at “dangerous” levels. They’re also concerned about a lack of barriers to protect children, coin throwing, and lack of accessible toilets and parking. Both say they want to work with carnival committees to make the experience of watching carnivals more welcoming for all.

4,000 people have been put on a waiting list at a new NHS dental practice in Somerset. Wellington Dental Care opened this week and had to close its waiting list due to the high number of requests for appointments.

A road in Combe St Nicholas will close to traffic next week. Ham Farm Lane will shut for 3-days beginning on Monday for Openreach to carry out ducting work.

Lib Dem Somerset Council member for Ilminster, Councillor Val Keitch, has been granted leave of absence from attending meetings until April of next year due to ill health. Councillor Keitch will still be handling casework and can take part in meetings virtually. It’s the second time in less than 2-years that Councillor Keitch has been granted leave of absence on health grounds from attending Somerset Council meetings.

Smokefree Somerset is in Chard today hoping to persuade local people to sign up to its ‘What’s Your Why’ pledge to quit smoking. Smokefree Somerset offers support to people to take the first step towards a healthier, smoke-free future. Today’s session is being held at Tesco on Tapstone Road in Chard up to midday.

Channel 4’s ‘Love It or List It’ is looking to feature properties in Somerset in a new series. Production company, Raise the Roof, says it wants to hear from homeowners facing the dilemma of renovating their home or putting it up for sale and moving to a new home. To apply to be in the new series of Kirstie and Phil’s ‘Love It of List It’ go the Channel 4 website.

The Newt at Bruton has been named in a list of the UK’s top fourteen hotels. In the new edition of the Michelin Guide, the Newt was commended for its architecture and interior design; overall personality and character; quality and consistency of service.

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Thursday 11th December

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Wednesday 10th December

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Tuesday 9th December

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Monday 8th December

Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Friday 5th December

Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
Thursday 4th December

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Wednesday 3rd December

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