Tuesday 17th June

Tuesday, 17 June 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

People across Somerset are being encouraged to record local wildlife as part of 'The Big Count' project, monitoring changes in the diversity and abundance of wildlife in the County. A further £1 million is being spent improving flood defences in Somerset. A Yeovil care worker has been honoured for her work at a ceremony in London...and more

People across Somerset are being encouraged to record local wildlife to help protect local animal and bird life. Somerset Wildlife Trust says 'The Big Count' needs as many people as possible to record wildlife in local gardens, parks, and community green spaces to monitor changes in the diversity and abundance of wildlife in the County.

A further £1 million is being spent on improving flood defences in Somerset. Somerset Rivers Authority and the Environment Agency are improving the riverbanks and removing silt on the River Sowy to ensure water can flow more quickly. £900,000 is being spent on raising the riverbanks on the Sowy, with the remainder allocated to farmers to cover the costs of local flooding prevention schemes.

Somerset Council is reminding people that they have until August 8th to comment on plans to merge Huish Episcopi Parish Council and Langport Town Council into a single new parish council covering the same area. A final decision will be made by Somerset Council’s Constitution and Governance Committee in September, with the change likely to take effect in April 2027

A care worker from Yeovil has been honoured at a ceremony in London. Kim Retter has been given a lifetime achievement award at the Housing with Care Awards.

Nominations are now open for the 2025 Youth Parliament Elections in Somerset. It’s open to young people aged 11–17 years who live in and attend school or college in the County. Somerset Youth Parliament is a space for young people to learn new skills, grow confidence, share their views, and get involved in current issues to make a difference.

A set of Somerset church bells that have been silent for more than 100 years have rung out once again. The bell mechanism at St Andrew's Church in Compton Dundon fell into disrepair in the 1900s, and by 1935, the bells were 'hung dead' in a fixed position facing down. But now, after a six-year campaign by villagers to raise £160,000, the bells have been brought back to life.

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Wednesday 29th April

Somerset Council says Hendford Hill in Yeovil should be fully reopened to traffic by the end of May. Plans have been approved to build 40 new homes in Crewkerne. A huge pile of illegally dumped rubbish in Glastonbury has been cleared... and more
Tuesday 28th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision at Rimpton. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in South Petherton. Former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson has been retained as first-team manager of Taunton Town for next season... and more
Monday 27th April

A former school in Sherborne has been badly damaged by fire. A care home in Yeovil has been rated outstanding. ublic spaces in West Coker owned by Somerset Council are being handed over to the parish council. Mendip Golf Club has presented a cheque for £12,000 to Mind in Somerset... and more
Friday 24th April

Plans have been submitted to turn a property on Preston Road in Yeovil into a House in Multiple Occupation. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has been recalled to the England Red Roses starting line-up for tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations game against Wales. Three sisters from Yeovil will be running the London Marathon this weekend in support of Guide Dogs UK... and more
Thursday 23rd April

Helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton have completed six weeks of sorties, protecting Cyprus from attacks by Iran. People in Somerset who use domestic heating oil are calling on the government to regulate the oil supply industry. Patients are being invited to register at a new NHS dentist in Crewkerne... and more
Wednesday 22nd April

Expectant mothers are using Yeovil Hospital once again to give birth following the reopening of the maternity unit. A Yeovil man has been jailed for four years for committing sexual offences against two young girls. Plans have been approved to convert a pub in Milborne Port into housing... and more
Tuesday 21st April

NHS Somerset has delayed closing the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. A former Avon and Somerset Police officer has been jailed for making indecent images of children. A Somerset man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild animal with dogs... and more
Monday 20th April

Nearly one hundred roads in Somerset will be surface dressed this summer to prevent further damage. Almost all children starting primary school in Somerset in September have been offered a place at one of their top three school choices. People in Somerset are being asked to record wild mammals in gardens and other green spaces over the summer... and more