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

Thursday 27th November

A new NHS dentist in Chard will start seeing its first patients next Tuesday. The go-ahead has been given to install five new lighting and CCTV columns on Milfield Road in Chard. Work is to start in January, replacing ageing traffic signals at the A39 junction with Clarks Village in Street...and more
Wednesday 26th November

Workers at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil, belonging to the Unite union, have accepted a new pay offer of 8% over two years. Yeovil Town has appointed a new first-team Manager. A new NHS dental practice is due to open in Chard next month...and more
Tuesday 25th November

Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, is calling on the Chancellor to deliver ‘real economic growth’ for Yeovil in her budget tomorrow. The government has given Yeovil College £2 million to upgrade its engineering facilities. A Chard-based charity has sent 7,000 boxes filled with Christmas gifts to Ukraine...and more.
Monday 24th November

A church leader has warned that “irrevocable damage” will be caused to town centres if Somerset Council starts charging for Sunday parking. Fifty new homes are to be built in Castle Cary following a successful planning appeal. A call has been made for a memorial to the victims who died in a plane crash on the Blackdown Hills 80 years ago...and more.
Friday 21st November

A public inquiry is being held into plans to build a large solar farm in the village of Wayford. Fire crews have put out a small blaze at Tesco in Ilminster. Canadian firm KDC One is closing its Wellington factory, putting dozens of jobs at risk. It's Ilminster's turn to switch on the Christmas lights tonight... and more.
Thursday 20th November

Taunton Town Council has agreed to provide funding for five years to support the town's Brewhouse Theatre. The Environment Agency is warning that Somerset could experience a drought next spring if this winter is drier than usual. We’re being asked to look out for rough sleepers during the current cold snap...and more
Wednesday 19th November

Yeovil MP Adam Dance is calling for stronger preventative measures to stop sewage discharges into local waterways. Somerset Council is to provide three new children's homes across the County. Street Football Club has appointed a father-and-son team to manage the club... and more.
Tuesday 18th November

Somerset Council has set up a task force to help identify land for a permanent traveller’s site in the county. Police are appealing for information after a charity shop in Martock was targeted by burglars. A Somerset woman is seeking individuals with a connection to the armed forces to join a new amateur rowing club...and more.