Tuesday 22nd July

Tuesday, 22 July 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Community Foundation has launched a "Together for West Somerset Appeal" to help families affected by last Thursday's school coach crash on Exmoor. People in Somerset are being encouraged to improve their recycling of food waste. Free family cooking sessions are being held in Chard. A new children’s soft play area is soon to open in Yeovil...and more

Somerset Community Foundation has launched a "Together for West Somerset Appeal" to help families affected by last Thursday's school coach crash on Exmoor. The coach was carrying around 70 pupils and adults from Minehead Middle School back from an end-of-term trip to Exmoor Zoo. A 10-year-old boy died and 20 others were injured in the crash.

Avon and Somerset Police say dozens of people have been conned out of an average of thousands of pounds due to courier fraud. Courier fraud occurs when criminals impersonate trusted officials, such as police officers and bank employees, claiming to be investigating businesses for suspected fraud. They trick people into buying goods and then return the items using criminal couriers.

People in Somerset are being encouraged to improve their recycling of food waste. New figures show households disposed of 37,500 tonnes of food in 2024, with only 21,500 tonnes put in the food waste bin for recycling. An estimated 16,000 tonnes of food waste was put in general waste bins. Meanwhile, calendars listing the recycling and rubbish collection dates for Somerset over the next 18 months are being posted to homes and businesses across the county.

Free family cooking sessions are being held in Chard next month. The sessions, designed to help families cook together and enjoy healthy food, are open to Abri tenants and families on low incomes. Details of how to apply can be found on the Abri website.

A new children’s soft play area opens in Yeovil later this week. The indoor play area on Sea King Road, located on the Lynx Trading Estate, will be officially opened by Yeovil Mayor, Tony Lock, at midday next Saturday.

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Wednesday 28th January

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has announced plans to develop a new operational base on the Leonardo airfield in Yeovil. Several people have been rescued from their homes in Ilminster due to flooding. An £800,000 project is underway to restore two staircases at Montecute House...and more
Tuesday 27th January

Last week was the wettest seven-day period in Somerset for twelve years. NHS Somerset says it’s working towards making access to dental care fairer for all. A scout leader in Somerset has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to Young People...and more
Monday 26th January

A new group has been formed to challenge plans to build 100 new homes in Keinton Mandeville. Bridgwater Town Council has voted to increase its share of the Council Tax by 5%. Organisers of Yeovil in Bloom are appealing for young people to get involved in this year’s competition...and more
Friday 23rd January

New data shows that South Western Ambulance is one of the worst-performing ambulance trusts in England. Plans to introduce improved accessibility at Yeovil Junction station have moved a step closer. A community centre in Street is providing vulnerable people with a warm, safe place to meet...and more.
Thursday 22nd January

A new NHS diagnostic centre has opened in Yeovil. The go-ahead has been given to build a replacement school for Milford Junior School in Yeovil. A new 500-bed hotel-style campus is being planned to accommodate workers at the new Agratas car battery factory near Bridgwater...and more
Wednesday 21st January

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Tuesday 20th January

Citizens Advice says thousands of people in Somerset have lost some or all of their council tax discount. The UK's first autonomous full-size helicopter, manufactured by Leonardo in Yeovil, has successfully completed its maiden flight. A new pharmacy has opened in Wincanton...and more