Tuesday 7th January

Tuesday, 7 January 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Firefighters have used a boat to rescue a man trapped in a submerged van in floodwaters at Isle Abbots. Businesses in Somerset say there was a return to High Street buying over Christmas. The search is on locally for places where new homes and business premises could be built. Astro-tourism took off in Somerset last year, with hundreds coming to the County to view the Northern Lights...and more.

Firefighters had to use a boat to rescue a man trapped in a submerged van in floodwaters at Isle Abbots. Yesterday morning, a fire crew from Ilminster and a rescue team from Bridgwater wearing flood suits used the boat to bring the driver safely onto dry land.

Businesses in Somerset say there was a return to High Street buying over Christmas, with footfall in some of our local towns up 20 per cent. Owner of Mundys, the florists, in Street, Rob Haywood, said it was good to see people supporting their local shops.

A Yeovil nursery has installed a new defibrillator for public use. The defibrillator at Little Discoveries on Stiby Road was bought following a fundraising campaign led by Nursery manager, Naomi Bartin, in memory of her younger sister, Sasha.

The search is on for places in Somerset where new homes and business premises could be built. Somerset Council is drawing up plans for new developments and wants to hear from landowners who have sites that might be suitable for building.

Langport Young Farmers are recycling Christmas trees again this year. They’re raising money for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, the Farming Community Network and MS UK. The Club says it will collect trees within a five-mile radius of Langport.

People have been flocking to one part of Somerset to view the night sky. Exmoor National Park says so-called Astro-tourism took off last year with hundreds visiting the area to witness the Northern Lights and meteor showers.

Furnham Road in Chard will be closed for the next five months for work to be carried out on two major infrastructure schemes. Wessex Water is installing a new sewer flood alleviation scheme and Wales and West upgrading a gas main.

More from News

Friday 2nd October

An investigation's underway after two people died in a collision near Taunton. A Somerset-based charity has warned of the risks of fuel poverty this winter. A Somerset healthcare service has been recognised with a national award.... and more.
Thursday 1st October

765 new homes have been given planning permission on the edge of Yeovil. Somerset Council’s Executive will meet to consider new parking charges. Four of the county’s best military cadets have been appointed as Lord-Lieutenant cadets... and more.
Wednesday 30th September

Police are appealing for a missing 17 year old from Castle Cary. A registered sex offender has been sentenced to 9 years in prison. A former Chard student who is one of six writers in the running to win this year's Booker Prize has paid tribute to his childhood teachers... and more.
Tuesday 29th September

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service say this summer saw record-breaking levels of demand. The charity that runs the Brewhouse Theatre has confirmed that it will definitely close. A Chard charity has launched a minibus service to improve community transport... and more.
Monday 28th September

Somerset Community Foundation says it has awarded more than £40 million in grants across the county. The family of a Somerset girl say they used AI to help diagnose her genetic condition. A property in Monks Dale, Yeovil is subject to a three month Closure Order... and more.
Friday 25th September

’20 Is Plenty’ is the message to drivers travelling through Langport. Chard’s Numatic manufacturing hub is marking 45 years of business with an investment of £85m into the company. Wessex Water tell us the hosepipe ban will remain across the region... and more.
Thursday 24th September

Somerset Council has approved a multi-million pound scheme to tackle flooding in the county. A person had to be transferred to hospital after an incident in Chard. A North Curry travellers’ site must be vacated by Christmas... and more.
Wednesday 23rd September

Police will take no further action after a year-long fraud probe in Glastonbury. Leonardo has chosen Somerset for its first international future talent programme. Three motorway services in Somerset have been rated as some of the worst in the country ... and more.