Wednesday 14th October

Wednesday, 14 October 2026 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Council says it can’t confirm whether new parking machines being installed across the county will be able to accept cash. The number of cloned cars seized have more than double in the past 3-years with Avon and Somerset Police recovering one fraudulent vehicle every week. The skull of a 50,000 year old Woolly Rhino found on the Mendips Hills has gone on a display at a museum in Wells...and more

Somerset Council says it can’t confirm whether new parking machines being installed across the county will be able to accept cash. The council has allocated £350,000 from its parking reserve fund to replace outdated pay and display machines across Somerset, with the work expected to begin early in the new year, but says it’s too early to say whether the machines will accept cash, with more details to be provided once the procurement process for installing the machines has been completed.

The number of cloned cars seized have more than double in the past 3-years with Avon and Somerset Police now recovering one fraudulent vehicle every week. Police say criminals are using fake vehicle identity numbers and electronic programming to disguise stolen cars allowing them to pass background checks undetected.

Yeovil MP Adam Dance says he was subjected to unacceptable threats while taking part in a counter-demonstration against an anti-immigration protest in Yeovil last weekend. Mr Dance says he was verbally abused both during and after Saturday’s event in Yeovil town centre which saw a group protesting against illegal immigration clash with pro-immigration supporters, mostly from Somerset Campaign against Racism and Fascism. Mr Dance has praised Avon and Somerset Police for their professionalism in keeping people safe throughout the demonstration.

A new 130-acre site on Exmoor is set to become a temperate rainforest, in a project involving Somerset Wildlife Trust and Exmoor National Park Authority. The woodland will connect existing ancient woodland and provide a richer habitat for wildlife. They're also looking for volunteers to help create it.

The skull of a Woolly Rhino found on the Mendips Hills has gone on a display at a museum in Wells. Thought to be 50,000 years old, it was discovered at Fairy Cave Quarry last year. Palaeoecologist, Professor Daniel Schreve, says the find has given an in-sight into the changing climate and the Mendip Hills during the last ice age.

More from News

Tuesday 13th October

Plans have been passed to build 760 new homes on the southern edge of Yeovil. Somerset Council has admitted it doesn't know how many young people are not in education, employment or training. An event is being held in Crewkerne for people looking for information about health and social care... and more
Monday 12th October

Two people were arrested on suspicion of racially motivated public order offences during an anti-immigration protest held in Yeovil at the weekend. Women in Somerset now have access to two brand new mobile breast screening units. A drought permit has been approved for Wimbleball Lake on Exmoor which is currently only 18% full...and more
Friday 9th October

A controversial new one-way traffic system in Bridgwater is to be changed back to a 2-way system. Plans to cut support funding to young carers in Somerset have been scrapped. A new website has been launched in Chard bringing together everything residents and visitors need to know about the town...and more
Thursday 8th October

Somerset Council is to press ahead with increases to parking charges at its car parks. Police say increasing numbers of young people in Somerset are riding e-scooters illegally. Wells market has received national recognition...and more
Wednesday 7th October

Somerset Council says it's started talks about what do with the Brewhouse theatre in Taunton after it closes at the end of the month. A Chard man has been sentenced for keeping multiple different dogs despite being banned from doing so. NHS van drivers based in Bridgwater who supply hospitals in Somerset with essential medical equipment will walk out on strike next week... and more
Tuesday 6th October

Prince William is visiting Ilminster today, where he will launch ‘Ready Together’, a new initiative helping communities prepare for emergencies. Barwick and Stoford Primary School near Yeovil says it's confident of emerging stronger after being placed in special measures by Ofsted. Vapes and weight-loss jabs are putting workers at recycling centres in Somerset at risk after being wrongly thrown away...and more
Monday 5th October

Ilminster is gearing up for a Royal visit by Prince William tomorrow. Plans have been approved to convert the former Battens Solicitors building on Princes Street in Yeovil into 21 flats. A 'Just Giving' page has opened for making donations towards Ilminster Carnival which, on Saturday, had to be cancelled midway through due to a gas leak...and more
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.