Thursday 25th June

Thursday, 25 June 2026 06:30

MP Sarah Dyke, has called for more money to help better equip schools in future heatwaves. The A361 near Glastonbury shut yesterday, after a gritter caught fire. A night at the opera is coming to Yeovil and Crewkerne... and more

The MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, Sarah Dyke, has called for more money to help better equip schools in future heatwaves. She made her plea in the House of Commons on Monday afternoon, before the majority of schools in Somerset closed their doors for 48 hours. She highlighted how excessive temperatures are not only a breach of safe working conditions but can cause serious disruption to learning.

The A361 near Glastonbury shut for a number of hours yesterday, after a Somerset Council gritter caught fire. Crews were called to Edgarley Road at 8.15 on Wednesday morning with the lorry well alight. No-one, including the driver, was injured. Gritters are used in hot weather to help protect roads that are at risk of softening.

Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, is seeking guarantees over parents’ Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) appeal rights, concerned that families will lose the opportunity to challenge SEND decisions. The call comes as Ministry of Justice figures show that nearly 99% of SEND Tribunal appeals in 2023/24 were decided wholly or partly in favour of parents and young people. Dance is seeking clarity on how the tribunal system will be reformed as part of wider changes.

Somerset Council is continuing to upgrade its system for Council Tax, Benefits and Business Rates, merging the previous District Council services into one. This means from this evening, the current Revenues and Welfare section will be unavailable for several weeks. The council assures us that housing benefit, direct debits and other payments will continue as usual.

A night at the opera is coming to Yeovil, Crewkerne and other locations across Somerset with the Reduced Opera Company bringing a reimagined production of Bizet’s Carmen to the county. Sung in English, the story has been adapted to a modern-day setting inside a clothing factory. The mini tour will take place from this Friday.

More from News

Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more