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.

More from News

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
Wednesday 3rd June

A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with assaulting three police officers. Somerset Council has begun legal action to recover more than £320,000 owed by housing developers. The line-up has been announced for this year’s Ilminster Midsummer Experience...and more