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

Wednesday 24th June

Somerset Council has activated its ‘Severe Weather Emergency Protocol’. Many schools are closing their doors for 48 hours. Great Western Railway is advising essential travel only... and more
Tuesday 22nd June

Police have appealed for information following an incident in Yeovil. The Met Office has issued a rare red extreme heat warning. Somerset Council in inviting locals to have their say on how the county could change in the future... and more
Monday 21st June

Somerset Council is set to lose tens of millions of pounds from selling off properties. Hundreds of people gathered at Glastonbury Tor to mark the summer solstice. The police and crime commissioner has expressed her support for a social media ban for under 16s.... and more
Friday 19th June

An amber heat health alert has been issued for Somerset with high temperatures expected to continue into next week. Schools across Somerset are taking part in a pilot scheme teaching children about money laundering. Ham Hill Country Park has been recognised with a top award for its efforts to protect the countryside... and more
Thursday 18th June

Children in care in Somerset are not receiving a good enough service, according to inspectors. NHS Somerset says dental care in the county is improving for the first time since the pandemic. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is holding a topless open-water swim...and more
Wednesday 17th June

Avon and Somerset Police say they'll be carrying out enhanced patrols for drink and drug driving during and after England's opening World Cup game tonight. Somerset Chamber of Commerce is warning that the conflict in Iran is having a serious impact on local businesses. A master thatcher based in Ilminster says the traditional craft of thatching is under threat because of a lack of training opportunities...and more
Tuesday 16th June

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal two-vehicle crash on the A358 near Ilminster. A man from Norton-sub-Hamdon has appeared in court charged with drink driving. An original Mr Blobby costume from the former Blobbyland theme park at Cricket St Thomas has been put up for sale... and more
Monday 15th June

People in Somerset are being asked to take part in a new survey about alcohol use. Yeovil's MP Adam Dance will lead a debate in Parliament today on NHS dentistry. A Yeovil runner has been selected to represent England at a national endurance championship... and more