Thursday 8th January

Thursday, 8 January 2026 06:00

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.

Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, is welcoming developments in his campaign to support neurodivergent children in schools, after his Screening and Teacher Training Bill was published and scheduled for its Second Reading in the House of Commons next week. Intended to provide universal, ‘light touch’ screening for neurodivergent traits, alongside statutory guidance for teachers, the Bill is receiving support from Dance’s fellow MPs, including Lib Dem Leader, Ed Davey.

Somerset was the star of BBC1 TV last night, with Dawn French’s comedy ‘Can You Keep A Secret’ premiering on the channel, filmed in Axbridge last year. And next week, Netflix will bring shots of the West Somerset Railway to the small screen with the release of Agatha Christie’s ‘Seven Dials’ streaming on the service. Screen Somerset assisted with arranging locations for both shows. Film and TV production brought an estimated £4.2 million to the county’s economy last year.

Yeovil’s Orchard Gymnastics Club have been hosting a VIP guest after being named the IGA National Community Champion Club of the Year. Saskia Servini, a member of the Great Britain team that won gold at the 2023 Tumbling World Championships, visited the club to see more than 50 young tumblers showcasing their gymnastics skills and presented medals to the competitors.

A Chard man received a Christmas surprise, just three days before the big day, when he received a letter and Christmas card from a former friend with whom he’d been out of touch for 75 years. Roger Galpin, who is now 86, hadn’t heard from Mary Trulock since their days at High Street Junior School. He described receiving the card three-quarters of a century after their last contact as the “biggest surprise”.

Meanwhile, hundreds of children in Somerset who might otherwise have gone without received Christmas presents this year, after Tesco’s Christmas Toy Donation campaign collected more than 800 gifts. Generous shoppers across the county, including Yeovil, Shepton Mallet and Ilminster, dropped off presents at local stores across the area.

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Two people have been arrested and released under investigation after the death of a baby in Crewkerne. A large sand picture of the prime minister has appeared in Burnham On Sea. The wet winter and hot summer means cider producers are struggling with their yields... and more.
Tuesday 25th August

Fire crews have been dealing with a fire in Ilchester which broke out yesterday afternoon. Somerset’s frontline health services say heatwaves and tourism are making their jobs more difficult. A Chard health store has been named Natural Lifestyle Retailer of the Year.. and more.
Monday 24th August

The Chair of the NFU has repeated calls for a longer-term plan to tackle bluetongue, Three men have been jailed for their involvement in car key burglaries in Somerset. Police say they’re treating a fire in Norton Fitzwarren as suspicious... and more.
Friday 21st August

Adam Dance MP has added his voice to those criticising this week’s Channel 4 documentary on ADHD. Visitors can now explore more of Ham Hill with a new off-road mobility scooter hiring scheme. Young people are being encouraged to join the Ilminster Carnival children’s procession... and more.
Thursday 20th August

Castle Cary railway station’s makeover has been officially unveiled. A new 18 million pound diagnostic centre in Bridgwater has opened. A Crewkerne teenager has been named ‘coach of the year’ for his work with Bristol City.... and more.
Wednesday 19th August

The fire service in Somerset has issued a plea for the public to take every precaution to prevent wildfires. Plans have been approved for Numatic International to install one-thousand solar panels on roof of their Chard factory. Somerset fast bowler, Jake Ball, has signed a new one-year contract that will keep him at the club for the 2027 season... and more
Tuesday 18th August

People across Somerset are banned from today from using hosepipes to water gardens, clean windows or cars, or fill swimming and paddling pools. More cases of the potentially deadly livestock disease Bluetongue have been confirmed in Somerset. Work is underway to improve disabled access at Holyrood Academy in Chard... and more
Monday 17th August

Wessex Water, who supplies almost all homes and businesses in Somerset, has introduced a hosepipe ban effective from midnight tonight. A sinkhole on Station Road in Castle Cary has been repaired, two years after it was first discovered. A Wildcat helicopter from RNAS Yeovilton has taken part in the annual passing-out parade at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth... and more