Thursday 24th July

Thursday, 24 July 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Tourism leaders in Somerset are hoping to reverse last year’s downturn in visitor numbers now that the six-week-long school summer holiday is underway. A Chard woman who was driving a van without insurance that crashed has been given a 16-month driving ban. A Somerset hedgehog rescue centre says a lack of rain and hard ground conditions are making it difficult for hedgehogs to survive this summer...and more.

Tourism leaders in Somerset are hoping to reverse last year’s downturn in visitor numbers now that the 6-week-long school summer holiday is underway. Visit Somerset says increases in employer National Insurance rates are putting hospitality businesses and visitor attractions under even greater financial pressure.

Changes are being made to the route of the 51 bus in Yeovil. The 51 will now stop at Asda and Larkhill. A new 61 service is being introduced that will stop in Cavalier Way. First Bus says both the 51 and 61 will also make stops at Tesco and Hendford Lodge Medical Centre. The journey time on the 54 Yeovil to Taunton bus is being extended by 10 minutes to improve timekeeping.

A Chard woman who crashed into a parked car while driving a van without insurance that belonged to her employer has been banned from driving for 16 months. Appearing before local magistrates, Claire Hottinger of Pear Tree Drive in Chard, pleaded guilty to using a Ford Transit van without insurance and was made the subject of a 12-month community order.

A trophy cabinet has been broken into and cups stolen in a raid at a Somerset golf club. It happened at Mendip Golf Club near Shepton Mallet last Friday when thieves smashed a window in a fire door and stole several prestigious trophies. Anyone with information is asked to please call the non-emergency number 101.

Network Rail says trains on the Waterloo Exeter line will not stop at Crewkerne station from Monday until further notice. A replacement bus will run between Axminster and Yeovil Junction stations. Network Rail says they’ve had to cancel trains stopping at Crewkerne station due to hot weather impacting the clay-based embankments between Salisbury and Axminster.

A Somerset hedgehog rescue centre says it’s seen a significant increase in the number of hedgehogs brought in this year. They say due to a lack of rain and hard ground conditions, hedgehogs are finding it difficult to source enough food..

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Thursday 30th October

Bird flu has been found at a nature reserve in Somerset, closing part of it down. St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset is calling for the hospice sector to be given more central funding. The Barrington Boar in Barrington has been placed 12th in The Good Food Guide’s list of 100 best pubs in Britain... and more
Wednesday 29th October

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.
Tuesday 28th October

Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more
Monday 27th October

The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more
Friday 24th October

New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more
Thursday 23rd October

Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more
Wednesday 22nd October

A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more .
Tuesday 21st October

Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid out compensation of £23 million for claims related to birth injuries. A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre...and more