Tuesday 29th July

Tuesday, 29 July 2025 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Parents in Somerset are being advised not to leave their children unsupervised with pets. Somerset Council says it's dealing with a backlog of sixteen hundred planning applications. Ninety thousand pounds has been raised so far for Somerset Community Foundation’s appeal supporting people affected by last week’s coach crash in West Somerset...and more

Parents in Somerset are being advised not to leave their children unsupervised with pets. The warning from the Pet Education Partnership follows new research showing that one in five children in the South West have been bitten by an animal, with four out of ten incidents requiring medical attention.

Somerset Council says it's taking "critical action" to reduce a backlog of sixteen hundred planning applications, partly caused by problems in recruiting and retaining staff. The measures, which include instructing customers not to contact the planning department for updates, are aimed at freeing up officers' time so that they can focus on processing applications.

£90,000 has been raised so far for Somerset Community Foundation’s appeal supporting people affected by last week’s coach crash in West Somerset. Oliver Price, aged 10, was killed and 22 passengers were injured when the vehicle overturned as it returned to Minehead Middle School from a school trip on 17th July.

A Wincanton man has appeared in court charged with assault. Elliott Houghton, aged 25, of Saunters Close, was accused of punching two other men in a fight in January earlier this year. Appearing in court in Yeovil, Houghton was given a 12-month community order with 120 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £200 compensation to both complainants.

An event celebrating culture in Chard starts today. The Chard Heritage, Arts, and Music Festival offers a range of events and activities for families at various venues across the town, running for five days. Tonight’s offering is a talk by David Knapman on the subject of brush making. Events are being held every day up to Sunday, when the festival will end with an exploration of the Lace Riots in Chard.

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