Tuesday 1st July

Tuesday, 1 July 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A murder trial starts today of the parents of a baby boy who died in Yeovil Hospital. Somerset residents are being asked to keep an eye on elderly neighbours, with temperatures expected to reach the high 20s again today. A tiny black kitten has been found inside a crate of laundry delivered to a cleaning business in Yeovil...and more

A murder trial starts today at Bristol Crown Court of the parents of a baby boy who died in Yeovil Hospital. Daniel Gunter and Sophie Stadden, both of no fixed address, are accused of killing, or allowing the death of two-week-old Brendon Staddon. At an earlier hearing, Daniel Gunter and Sophie Staddon both entered not guilty pleas to the charges.

The first steel frames have been installed at the Agratas gigafactory site near Bridgwater, marking a milestone in the construction of the UK’s leading battery manufacturing facility. It coincides with the publication of the government’s new industrial strategy, which aims to boost the advanced manufacturing sector and accelerate the development of vehicle battery technology.

People in Somerset are being asked to keep a check on elderly neighbours as temperatures could reach the high 20s again today. An amber heat-health alert for Somerset remains in place until 6 pm today.

The Secret World Wildlife Rescue Centre in Somerset says it’s been dealing with an ‘unprecedented influx’ of young falcons. The charity says the birds have been brought in for rehabilitation after being rescued from places that include construction sites, quarries, and town centre rooftops.

Mark Wylie from Calne near Bristol won this year’s Chard Town Criers competition held at the weekend. Adrian Holmes from Litchfield came second, and John Pitt from Plymouth was third. Judy and Peter Campbell, who were visiting from Australia, came top in the best-dressed couple section.

A tiny black kitten has been found inside a laundry crate at a cleaning business in Yeovil. Industrial cleaners, CLEAN, on Copse Road at Lufton, says the kitten, who’s four months old, was found curled up, cold and hungry, inside the crate. She’s now being cared for at a local vet's practice and is recovering well. If you believe the kitten belongs to you, please call Clean on 0330 818 7001.

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Avon and Somerset Police say they'll be carrying out enhanced patrols for drink and drug driving during and after England's opening World Cup game tonight. Somerset Chamber of Commerce is warning that the conflict in Iran is having a serious impact on local businesses. A master thatcher based in Ilminster says the traditional craft of thatching is under threat because of a lack of training opportunities...and more
Tuesday 16th June

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal two-vehicle crash on the A358 near Ilminster. A man from Norton-sub-Hamdon has appeared in court charged with drink driving. An original Mr Blobby costume from the former Blobbyland theme park at Cricket St Thomas has been put up for sale... and more
Monday 15th June

People in Somerset are being asked to take part in a new survey about alcohol use. Yeovil's MP Adam Dance will lead a debate in Parliament today on NHS dentistry. A Yeovil runner has been selected to represent England at a national endurance championship... and more
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.