Thursday 30th July

Thursday, 30 July 2026 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The Environment Agency has declared a drought across Somerset as the hot weather takes its toll on the county's water supplies. Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic accident near Crewkerne. A bowls player from Yeovil has won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow...and more

The Environment Agency has declared a drought across Somerset as the hot, dry weather takes its toll on the county's water supplies. The EA says it's controlling how much water can be taken from local rivers, but isn’t planning to introduce a hosepipe ban just yet.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic accident near Crewkerne. A Honda CB650 motorbike was involved in a collision with a Ford Transit tipper truck towing a trailer on the A30 Yeovil Road, near Lower Severalls Lane, at around half past three on Monday afternoon. The motorcyclist, a man in his forties, died at the scene. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage of either vehicle in the moments leading up to the collision, is being asked to contact police on the non-emergency number 101.

Royal Mail says deliveries in the Wincanton area are currently running behind because of staff sickness and staff shortages. Homes and businesses in postcode areas TA22, TA23 and TA24 are advised to expect delays with the post over the coming days.

Organisers of Trowbridge Carnival have cancelled this year's event because of falling sponsorship and a shortage of volunteers. South Somerset Carnival Committee has warned that carnivals in Frome and Wincanton are also facing an uncertain future for the same reasons.

Seven GP surgeries across South Somerset have merged under a single contract. Symphony Healthcare Services says the change will allow it to provide a more consistent service across the seven practices. Patients are now part of one shared medical record system, with all sites operating under the new name of Symphony South Healthcare.

A charity quiz night in Ilminster has raised £1,000 for Children's Hospice SouthWest. Fifteen local businesses took part in the event, organised by Amicus Law Solicitors.

A bowls player from Yeovil has won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Ron Homer finished runner-up in the Mixed Pairs event.

More from News

Wednesday 29th July

Police have arrested two suspects in connection with a series of moped thefts in Chard. A combine harvester has been destroyed in a farm fire at Forton, near Chard. A bowls player from Yeovil has won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow... and more
Tuesday 28th July

The former Beales department store in Yeovil could be brought back into use as part of a wider masterplan for the future of the town. A yellow heat health alert is in place across Somerset from nine o’clock this morning until nine o’clock on Friday morning. A Somerset farmer says this year is the driest on his land since 1976... and more
Monday 27th July

Gooch and Housego, based in Ilminster and one of the town’s biggest employers, has been sold in a multi-million-pound deal to an American private equity firm. A father who shook his four-week-old baby to death at a house in Chard has been sentenced to life in prison. A doctor who works for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is one of five people to have jointly set a new world record for rowing around Great Britain... and more
Friday 24th July

Avon and Somerset Police are warning people to watch out for scammers posing as Amazon. The CEO of the company that provides Somerset's recycling is warning of a major incident if people continue to put used batteries in waste bins. A former Yeovil pub could be demolished to make way for a major hotel expansion.
Thursday 23rd July

The West Country is officially one step closer to being declared in drought. Somerset Council says it's remodelling its service after a children's home was closed following an inspection. A new McDonald's planned off the M5 at Bridgwater could create up to 120 local jobs... and more
Wednesday 22nd July

Two men have been jailed for stealing electrical items and cash from a property in Yeovil. Somerset Council has defended its use of Yeovil’s new performance area in The Triangle, in Lower Middle Street. Tintinhull Primary School, near Yeovil, has won a top national award for outdoor play... and more
Friday 17th July

Plans have been submitted to build 30 new homes in Ashill. As the heatwave continues, a Somerset air conditioning business says demand for its services has never been higher. Morrisons has confirmed it will close its Glenthorne Avenue store in Yeovil on August 1st... and more
Thursday 16th July

Plans to build up to one hundred new homes on Yeovil's former cattle market have moved a step closer. It’s being made easier for parents in Somerset to register children for free school meals. Wessex Water says it has no plans for a hosepipe ban at the moment but is keeping a close eye on supplies as demand increases... and more