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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Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more