Tuesday 22nd July

Tuesday, 22 July 2025 at 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.

More from News

Friday 30th October

Wells Cathedral says it's having to get creative to bring in more money as financial pressures continue to grow. A convenience store in Martock has been allowed to keep its alcohol licence despite an employee working there illegally. Police have seized an illegally ridden e-scooter in Yeovil in response to concerns from local residents... and more
Thursday 29th October

A Yeovil man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for attacking his mother with a knife. People in Chard are being reminded that it’s unlawful to attach flags to lamp posts and street furniture. Wincanton Racecourse has called off its 'Badger Chase Day' because the ground is too firm... and more
Wednesday 28th October

Leweston School near Sherborne has announced that it is closing with immediate effect. NHS Somerset could merge with neighbours in Bath and North-East Somerset and Dorset to cut costs. Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant has launched a campaign to get more people nominated for national honours... and more
Tuesday 27th October

Work has started building a new six-million-pound flood defence scheme in Taunton. Plans have been submitted to build a new church hall in Martock. People are being asked to donate gifts to this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal... and more
Monday 26th October

Eligible groups in Somerset are being encouraged to get their flu jabs. There’s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside Avon & Somerset Police’s control room. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, has visited Yeovil... and more.
Friday 23rd October

Somerset is the 11th most challenging place in England to be a child according to a report. Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire could have its own elected ‘Wessex Mayor’ by 2028. Cricketer, Ian Botham returns to the county this weekend... and more.
Thursday 22nd October

The NFU says that testing for the virus Bluetongue needs to be sped up. Construction of new flats on Yeovil’s Grimsby Corner site will officially begin next year. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind tomorrow... and more.
Wednesday 21st October

The owner of campsite in Somerset says a two-thousand-seven-hundred percent increase in business rates will be 'catastrophic' for his business. Plans to build nearly 300 new homes on the outskirts of Chard have been given the go ahead. Yeovil Town are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Leatherhead 5-2 at Huish Park last night... and more