Wednesday 10th December

Wednesday, 10 December 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested for being over the alcohol limit or for drug driving in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. That’s a 31% increase in arrests compared to the same period last year. The public is being asked to help take dangerous drivers off the road. If you suspect someone is unfit to drive, you should call 999 or report the matter at a police station.

A reindeer farm near Yeovil says it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence to keep operating. For the past 14 years, Sarah Sutton has run the Somerset Reindeer Ranch at Chilthorne Domer with an Animal Activity licence, but after reindeers were reclassified as "dangerous and wild" Somerset Council say she needs a Zoo licence to stay open. Sarah says a Zoo Licence is unaffordable and that she will have to close the business unless reindeer farms are exempt from the ruling. Somerset Reindeer Ranch in Chilthorne Domer is open over the Christmas and New Year period.

Young people with special educational needs and disabilities in Somerset now have their own website. Yeovil-based SEND group The Unstoppables has launched an online platform for members and others to share ideas and experiences.

Work restoring the old windows of the Grade II-listed water tower pumphouse at Crewkerne railway station has been completed. The project, carried out by the Friends of Crewkerne Station, was initially intended to cover the boarded side of the Pumphouse, but expanded into a complete restoration after it was discovered that the original window frames were still in place beneath the boarding.

Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset, arriving in a helicopter from RNAS Yeovilton.

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