Wednesday 13th May

Wednesday, 13 May 2026 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Concern's been expressed that too many of the 580 new council homes being built in Somerset will be clustered around Taunton and Bridgwater. Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman died following a crash on the M5. Haynes Motor Museum has been awarded £180,000 by The National Lottery to transform its Red Room gallery... and more

Concern's been expressed that too many of the 580 new council homes being built in Somerset will be clustered around Taunton, Bridgwater and the M5 corridor. It comes from Conservative opposition Lead Member for Housing on Somerset Council, Councillor Tom Power, who’s calling for the new homes to be more evenly spread across the county.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman died following a crash on the M5 in Somerset. It happened when a blue BMW was involved in a single vehicle collision between junction 24 at Bridgwater and junction 25 at Taunton in the early hours of last Sunday morning.

Gamesmaster Café in Ilminster has announced that it will close in June next year. The café, which provides internships for young people with special educational needs, says the business is no longer financially sustainable. Owner, Evelyn Ashford, has blamed the closure on the government cutting funding to the Access to Work programme.

People in Somerset are being invited to learn about fostering at drop-in events this month. Organised by Fostering in Somerset to mark Foster Care Fortnight, the sessions offer the chance to talk with carers and staff. More foster carers are urgently needed, with more than six hundred and fifty children currently in care across Somerset.

Haynes Motor Museum has been awarded £180,000 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to transform its Red Room gallery. The two-year project, called Red Room Reimagined: Engineering Futures, will introduce interactive STEM experiences, immersive displays, and a new learning programme designed to inspire future careers in automotive and heritage engineering.

More from News

Tuesday 12th May

A member of Yeovil Town Council has appeared in court charged with two counts of assault. Health professionals in Somerset are urging people to take up the offer of a free NHS health check. Organisers of Somerset Day have welcomed the name Dunkery given to the dragon on the county flag...and more
Monday 11th May

New figures show a sharp increase in reports of drones interfering with critical air ambulance missions. The Liberal Democrats have retained the Mendip Hills seat on Somerset Council following a by-election. A woman from Chard has been recognised for her contribution to the community with an invitation to the King’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace... and more
Friday 8th May

Police investigating a fire in Shepton Mallet are appealing for help to identify two people. Yeovil MP Adam Dance has called for more government support for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service. This weekend sees the start of the Great Gardening Show at The Newt near Bruton...and more
Thursday 7th May

A disabled man has taken his case to the High Court, arguing that Somerset Council’s council tax reduction scheme is discriminatory. Bristol Airport says travellers planning summer holidays should not change their plans. Chard and Ilminster Amateur Boxing Club has launched a fundraising appeal,..and more
Wednesday 6th May

Pharmacists in Somerset say it's becoming difficult to get hold of some medications. The building used as Club Neo in Stars Lane in Yeovil has been put up for sale. Free gym memberships are being offered to people living with Parkinson's in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 5th May

An investigation has been launched following a suspected arson attack at Sherborne Police Station. Somerset Council is spending £2.3 million on 14 new road gritters. Ilminster Literary Festival is marking its tenth anniversary this year... and more
Friday 1st May

A Yeovil man has pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour towards two female paramedics. Police in Chard are appealing for the public’s help following a spate of thefts in the Henson Park area of the town. Pet store chain, Jollyes, is opening a new branch in Yeovil... and more
Thursday 30th April

More than 4,500 people have expressed interest in joining a new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne. Somerset Council says a long-term solution is needed to make Hendford Hill in Yeovil fully safe for motorists. A Somerset man has won first prize at the World Marmalade Awards... and more