Tuesday 25th August

Tuesday, 25 August 2026 06:30

Fire crews have been dealing with a fire in Ilchester which broke out yesterday afternoon. Somerset’s frontline health services say heatwaves and tourism are making their jobs more difficult. A Chard health store has been named Natural Lifestyle Retailer of the Year.. and more.

Fire crews have been dealing with a hedge fire in Ilchester which broke out yesterday afternoon. Six fire engines attended the scene with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service responding to multiple calls. Hoses and breathing apparatus were used to tackle the blaze.

Somerset’s frontline health services say heatwaves and tourism are making their staff’s jobs more difficult. Practitioners are reporting that tourists have needed treatment for heatstroke, heat rash, insect stings and tick bites over the last few months, while some visitors had arrived without enough prescription medication.

The MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, Sarah Dyke, is calling on food retailers to reduce the amount of food being rejected for being misshapen or wonky. Dyke says one supplier she spoke to had 6,000 cauliflowers rejected because they were described as 'too yellow'. There are additional concerns that the extreme heat and dry weather this year is causing problems for farmers when it comes to their yields.

Rural communities in Somerset could find it easier to develop and deliver their own active travel schemes thanks to a Somerset council initiative. The toolkit helps locals through the process needed; from large-scale ambitions to much smaller adjustments such as dropped kerb requests. The project aims to provide confidence, knowledge and practical tools, from identifying an initial need, through to the long-term maintenance needed once it is implemented.

An independent health store in Chard has been named Natural Lifestyle retailer of the Year 2026, despite being open less than a year. Health and Remedy on Holyrood Street won the award, which recognises excellence in the UK’s independent health food retail sector, for the business’ passion, positive outlook and deep community engagement. Judges also commended the store as a standout example of how independent outfits can succeed, even in a challenging retail environment.

More from News

Monday 24th August

The Chair of the NFU has repeated calls for a longer-term plan to tackle bluetongue, Three men have been jailed for their involvement in car key burglaries in Somerset. Police say they’re treating a fire in Norton Fitzwarren as suspicious... and more.
Friday 21st August

Adam Dance MP has added his voice to those criticising this week’s Channel 4 documentary on ADHD. Visitors can now explore more of Ham Hill with a new off-road mobility scooter hiring scheme. Young people are being encouraged to join the Ilminster Carnival children’s procession... and more.
Thursday 20th August

Castle Cary railway station’s makeover has been officially unveiled. A new 18 million pound diagnostic centre in Bridgwater has opened. A Crewkerne teenager has been named ‘coach of the year’ for his work with Bristol City.... and more.
Wednesday 19th August

The fire service in Somerset has issued a plea for the public to take every precaution to prevent wildfires. Plans have been approved for Numatic International to install one-thousand solar panels on roof of their Chard factory. Somerset fast bowler, Jake Ball, has signed a new one-year contract that will keep him at the club for the 2027 season... and more
Tuesday 18th August

People across Somerset are banned from today from using hosepipes to water gardens, clean windows or cars, or fill swimming and paddling pools. More cases of the potentially deadly livestock disease Bluetongue have been confirmed in Somerset. Work is underway to improve disabled access at Holyrood Academy in Chard... and more
Monday 17th August

Wessex Water, who supplies almost all homes and businesses in Somerset, has introduced a hosepipe ban effective from midnight tonight. A sinkhole on Station Road in Castle Cary has been repaired, two years after it was first discovered. A Wildcat helicopter from RNAS Yeovilton has taken part in the annual passing-out parade at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth... and more
Friday 14th August

Police are investigating an incident in which obscene words were scratched onto the World War One memorial at Ham Hill. Yeovil MP Adam Dance has repeated his call for the upgrade of the town’s police station to include a custody suite. A Somerset carnival club is building a specially adapted float to allow a wheelchair user and her assistance dog to take part in this year’s carnival circuit...and more
Thursday 13th August

An Ilminster family is celebrating after winning one million pounds on the National Lottery. Police have released a picture of a man they want to speak to in connection with suspected frauds in Somerset. Somerset Council has opened a tendering process to find a main contractor for the £15 million upgrade of Yeovil’s Octagon theatre... and more