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.

More from News

Monday 19th January

The government is facing increasing pressure to clarify whether it will order new medium-lift helicopters from Leonardo in Yeovil. Somerset Council is spending £5 million on new laptops. A new singing group is being set up in Yeovil for people living with dementia...and more
Friday 16th January

The go-ahead has been given to build 200 new homes at Ilchester. Taunton Town Council is increasing its share of the Council Tax by 3 per cent a year. Somerset is featured in a new Agatha Christie drama being shown on Netflix from this week...and more
Thursday 15th January

The company behind a proposed tidal lagoon between Watchet and Minehead says it could create up to eight thousand jobs. A third councillor on Somerset Council has joined Reform UK. St Margaret's Hospice says this year’s Christmas tree collection scheme raised forty-seven thousand pounds...and more.
Wednesday 14th January

The union representing workers at Leonardo in Yeovil says it needs a clear answer from the government on whether the Yeovil factory will be awarded a contract to build new medium-lift helicopters for the RAF. Somerset Council says more support will be provided to foster carers. A bird flu surveillance zone remains in place over the Somerset Levels...and more
Tuesday 13th January

The Government says it won’t bring forward a decision on buying new helicopters from Leonardo in Yeovil. A bird flu surveillance zone remains in place over the Somerset Levels. Yeovil’s temporary police station on Horsey Lane is to close at the end of the month....and more
Monday 12th January

Leonardo is threatening to shut its Yeovil factory. Somerset Community Foundation says there's still time to donate money to its Surviving Winter Appeal. The Swan Theatre in Yeovil is staging a number of special performances to mark its 50th anniversary...and more.
Friday 9th January

A Yeovil man has been arrested and then de-arrested after a collision in Dorset. A Somerset food manufacturer could be expanding its Wincanton base. A new dementia-friendly choir has been launched in Yeovil...and more.
Wednesday 7th January

Somerset's Lib Dem MPs have described a one per cent rise in Council funding as 'profoundly disappointing'. A new independent cinema will open next month in Wincanton. We’re facing the chance of heavy snow with Storm Goretti hitting the region on Thursday...and more.