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..

More from News

Tuesday 13th January

The Government says it won’t bring forward a decision on buying new helicopters from Leonardo in Yeovil. A bird flu surveillance zone remains in place over the Somerset Levels. Yeovil’s temporary police station on Horsey Lane is to close at the end of the month....and more
Monday 12th January

Leonardo is threatening to shut its Yeovil factory. Somerset Community Foundation says there's still time to donate money to its Surviving Winter Appeal. The Swan Theatre in Yeovil is staging a number of special performances to mark its 50th anniversary...and more.
Friday 9th January

A Yeovil man has been arrested and then de-arrested after a collision in Dorset. A Somerset food manufacturer could be expanding its Wincanton base. A new dementia-friendly choir has been launched in Yeovil...and more.
Thursday 8th January

Adam Dance MP is welcoming developments in his campaign to support neurodivergent schoolchildren. Somerset was the star of the small screen last night, thanks to BBC comedy ‘Can You Keep A Secret’. A Yeovil gymnastics club has hosted a VIP guest...and more.
Wednesday 7th January

Somerset's Lib Dem MPs have described a one per cent rise in Council funding as 'profoundly disappointing'. A new independent cinema will open next month in Wincanton. We’re facing the chance of heavy snow with Storm Goretti hitting the region on Thursday...and more.
Tuesday 6th January

The Poundland chain has confirmed its store closures, including one of the Yeovil branches next Friday. Yeovil's Marlie Packer has been awarded an OBE for her outstanding contribution to rugby. Nearly one hundred new low-cost homes could be coming to South Chard...and more.
Monday 5th January

A woman has been cut free from her car after a four-vehicle collision in Montacute. Devon and Somerset fire crews have been praised for their bravery, following the summer wildfires. More new homes are set to be built in Martock, following approval from Somerset Council...and more.
Wednesday 24th December

A formal planning application has been made to carry out significant improvements to Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre, costing £15 million. The Halifax Bank in King George Street in Yeovil could be converted into 17 flats. A new young people’s centre opens in Chard early in the New Year...and more.