Thursday 2nd April

Thursday, 2 April 2026 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The joint master of a hunt in Somerset has criticised the decision to hold a public consultation on banning trail hunting. Images of two men police want to speak to in connection with an arson attack on a barber’s shop in Wincanton have been released. The company that runs four leisure centres in the Mendip area has gone into administration... and more

The joint master of a hunt in Somerset has criticised the decision to hold a public consultation on banning trail hunting. Mary Perry from the Cotley Harriers says criticism of trail hunting is frustrating, as they follow all the guidelines. The League Against Cruel Sports wants trail hunting banned, but Mary Perry says this would be unfair.

Images of two men police want to speak to in connection with an arson attack on a barber’s shop in Wincanton have been released. On Saturday, March 14, two men were caught on CCTV smashing a window at a property on Church Street, pouring flammable liquid onto a door and setting it alight. Images of the men can be viewed on the Avon and Somerset Police website.

The company that runs four leisure centres in the Mendip area has gone into administration. Fusion Lifestyle manages Wells Fitness Centre, Tor Fitness Centre in Glastonbury, Strode Swimming and Fitness Centre in Street, Frome Leisure Centre, and Shepton Mallet Lido. Somerset Council says it will run the centres until a new operator is found.

Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident on the A358 near Taunton in which a motorcyclist was killed. It happened at Mattocks Tree Hill in West Hatch at around 10.30pm on Sunday, March 29th, when a Nissan Juke, a Vauxhall Zafira and a motorbike collided. A man in his 20s, who was riding the motorbike, died at the scene. If you witnessed the accident or have dashcam footage, you’re asked to call the non-emergency number 101.

A road in Ilminster will shut to traffic for three nights later this month. Silver Street will be closed on April 13, 14 and 15 from 7pm to 5am for BT Openreach to carry out essential works. Diversions will be in place during the closure.

More from News

Friday 12th June

It's claimed the increasing availability of drugs such as ketamine and cocaine has normalised drug use among young people in Somerset. The trial of a man accused of killing his one-month-old son in Chard begins today at Bristol Crown Court. A stone pillar outside the Langport Arms Hotel in Langport has been replaced after it was destroyed in a car crash... and more
Thursday 11th June

Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to the three aircrew from RNAS Yeovilton who died in last week's helicopter crash in Devon. Two men have been arrested and stolen vehicles seized following a major multi-agency operation in South Somerset. An event highlighting opportunities for women in the aerospace industry has been held in Yeovil... and more
Wednesday 10th June

The public will be consulted on how best to spend fifty million pounds of government funding to tackle flooding in Somerset. Avon and Somerset Police are backing a new road safety campaign aimed at reducing motorcycle fatalities. New welcome signs have been installed at entrances to the Mendip Hills National Landscape... and more
Tuesday 9th June

The government has announced a £50 million investment to strengthen Somerset’s flood defences. A woman from Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been banned from driving for 14 months after admitting drink-driving. Somerset Council has been told it must improve its adult social care services... and more
Monday 8th June

Plans for a new railway station in Langport remain stalled in Whitehall, according to Somerset Council. Plans to build 50 new homes in Broadway, near Ilminster, have been refused. The new water fountains in Yeovil’s Triangle, in Lower Middle Street, are being switched off during very hot weather because of safety concerns... and more.
Friday 5th June

A new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne says it won’t start operating at full capacity until July due to staff shortages. Somerset Council says it has no plans to show England matches in the World Cup on the Big Screen in Yeovil town centre due to safety concerns. A Somerset family has been thanked after completing a 73-mile walk raising money for a third world charity... and more
Thursday 4th June

An investigation continues today into the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter, based at RNAS Yeovilton, in which all three aircrew were killed. Somerset Council has confirmed that a new operator will take over several leisure centres across the county. The new live-action Masters of the Universe movie, filmed in Somerset, is released this week...and more
Wednesday 3rd June

A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with assaulting three police officers. Somerset Council has begun legal action to recover more than £320,000 owed by housing developers. The line-up has been announced for this year’s Ilminster Midsummer Experience...and more