Thursday 20th November

Thursday, 20 November 2025 05:00

By Steve Haigh

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

Taunton Town Council has agreed to provide £105,000 in funding each year for five years to support the town's Brewhouse Theatre. The Taunton Theatre Association, which has taken on running the theatre from Somerset Council, says the bulk of the money will be used to pay for repairs to the building.

Eight out of ten people in a consultation say they’re against paying for Sunday parking at car parks run by Somerset Council. The Council says it’s assessing the economic impact of the move, but points out that in other towns where Sunday parking charges have been introduced, the local economy has not suffered. Somerset Council is due to meet next month to discuss the consultation results.

The Environment Agency is warning that Somerset could experience a drought next spring if this winter is drier than usual. It says that unless there is sustained rainfall before the end of March, drought conditions could worsen, impacting crop yields and wildlife. It's also warning of hosepipe bans.

We’re being asked to look out for rough sleepers during the current cold snap. With overnight temperatures falling below freezing, Somerset Council has activated its Severe Weather Emergency plan, which provides emergency accommodation for rough sleepers. The Council says outreach teams have been contacted to ensure no one dies on the streets and that every effort is made to engage with people who sleep rough. If you see someone sleeping rough, you can report it on the Street Link website or by calling 0300 123 22 24.

A dance group in South Somerset has won an international award. Ashill Scottish Country Dancers took first prize in the People’s Choice Award in the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society’s Virtual Festival. Their winning entry, a five-minute video entitled Dance a Rainbow, featured seven Scottish country dances, themed around a colour of the rainbow. Anyone who would like to join the group meets every Tuesday at 7.30 pm at Horton Village Hall.

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