Tuesday 23rd September

Tuesday, 23 September 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Two cars have been destroyed by fire in Martock. A Somerset cider maker says it's expecting a record-breaking apple crop this year. The Woodland Trust has awarded Manor Court Primary School in Chard a Gold Standard...and more.

Two cars have been destroyed by fire in Martock, with two other vehicles affected by heat damage. It happened in the early hours of Sunday. The cause of the blaze is unknown. No one was injured.

A Somerset cider maker says they're expecting a record-breaking apple crop this year, thanks to the long, hot summer. Cider producers, Showerings, say it's expecting a “monster crop” of up to 2,500 tonnes of apples. Last year, 1,000 tonnes of apples were harvested by Showerings.

A date has been set to merge the two parishes in South Somerset. If all goes to plan, Castle Cary Town Council and Ansford Parish Council will become one entity by the next local elections in May 2027. Formal consultations are now underway, with the merger to be adopted by the end of 2026, ahead of the local elections the following May.

Shepton Mallet business owner and disabled campaigner Josh Wintersgill has criticised changes to a government scheme that supports people like him. Josh, who’s reliant on a wheelchair, is supported with his business through the Access to Work scheme. But Josh says changes to the scheme have left him worse off.

A post office in Yeovil will shut for six weeks next month for an upgrade. Westfield Post Office on Stiby Road will close on Thursday, October 16th and re-open on Friday, November 28th. During the closure, customers should use the Orchard Street Post Office at Huish and the Sandhurst Road Post Office in West Coker.

The Woodland Trust has awarded Manor Court Primary School in Chard a Gold Standard. It’s in recognition of work by an after-school nature club that’s planted hedges and trees, cleared a pond to encourage wildlife, and run a successful anti-litter poster campaign.

More from News

Friday 12th December

The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.
Thursday 11th December

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Wednesday 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 9th December

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Monday 8th December

Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Friday 5th December

Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
Thursday 4th December

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Wednesday 3rd December

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,