Thursday 1st May

Thursday, 1 May 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

There’s been a call for the Somerset Levels to be designated a National Landscape. A Yeovil man has raised £2,000 for a new school minibus at Fairmead School in Yeovil by running the London Marathon. Exmoor Ales, which provides cask ales across the region and beyond, is closing its Somerset brewery and moving the business to Surrey...and more.

There’s been a call for the Somerset Levels to be designated a National Landscape, previously known as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Somerset is home to four national landscapes: the Blackdown Hills, the Mendip Hills, the Quantock Hills, and Exmoor National Park. Councillor Henry Hobhouse, who represents Castle Cary on Somerset Council, believes Somerset deserves a fifth national landscape, arguing it will protect the Levels' historic character.

An Ilminster mother says Somerset Council has left her teenage daughter " in limbo." Kelly’s daughter has special educational needs and undertakes supported employment at Silver Lining’s café in Ilminster. Silver Linings says because Somerset Council has delayed issuing the paperwork, Kelly’s daughter can no longer work at the cafe.

Exmoor Ales, which provides cask ales across the region and beyond, is closing its Somerset brewery and moving the business to Surrey. MD Jonathan Price says this is to protect the long-term viability of the business following a drop in sales.

A Yeovil man has raised £2,000 for a new school minibus by running the London Marathon. Warren Morgan’s daughter attends Fairmead School in Yeovil, to whom the £2,000 will be donated.

A shop in Henstridge is helping parents who struggle to buy items for their children. The Honesty Jar lets people pick up items such as school uniforms in return for donating things that they want to get rid of.

A new café has opened at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard. ‘Perdida is a Latin American fusion café located in the redesigned conference room.

Somerset Day is Saturday, May 10th, and Sunday, May 11th. As part of celebrating all that’s best about Somerset through cider and cheese trails, children’s storytelling, and village fetes, the highlight of the two-day event will be a performance on Saturday by the Wurzels at Rich’s Cider Farm in Watchfield.

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Friday 21st November

A public inquiry is being held into plans to build a large solar farm in the village of Wayford. Fire crews have put out a small blaze at Tesco in Ilminster. Canadian firm KDC One is closing its Wellington factory, putting dozens of jobs at risk. It's Ilminster's turn to switch on the Christmas lights tonight... and more.
Thursday 20th November

Taunton Town Council has agreed to provide funding for five years to support the town's Brewhouse Theatre. The Environment Agency is warning that Somerset could experience a drought next spring if this winter is drier than usual. We’re being asked to look out for rough sleepers during the current cold snap...and more
Wednesday 19th November

Yeovil MP Adam Dance is calling for stronger preventative measures to stop sewage discharges into local waterways. Somerset Council is to provide three new children's homes across the County. Street Football Club has appointed a father-and-son team to manage the club... and more.
Tuesday 18th November

Somerset Council has set up a task force to help identify land for a permanent traveller’s site in the county. Police are appealing for information after a charity shop in Martock was targeted by burglars. A Somerset woman is seeking individuals with a connection to the armed forces to join a new amateur rowing club...and more.
Monday 17th November

Workers belonging to the Unite union at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil are threatening further strike action. Dunelm says its Yeovil store in the Quedam will reopen on Tuesday, December 16th. A nurse working at Yeovil Hospital has won a place in the final of Miss England...and more.
Friday 14th November

Yeovil Hospital has introduced a new system for handling patients at its A&E department aimed at cutting waiting times. It’s claimed that an Iron Age settlement preserved under Somerset's wetlands for 2,000 years is facing erosion due to climate change. Montacute Road in Tintinhull will be closed for five days next week for repairs to a gas main.
Thursday 13th November

Workers at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil are taking part in a second day of strike action in their dispute over pay. Lloyds Bank has closed its branch in Chard permanently. A week-long programme of tree planting will be held at Ham Hill later this month to mark National Tree Week...and more
Wednesday 12th November

Workers belonging to the Unite union at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil begin a two-day strike today. Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, has been speaking in a parliamentary debate on improving dyslexia support in schools. South Western Ambulance Service is inviting applications for positions on its governing council...and more