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

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