Wednesday 17th December

Wednesday, 17 December 2025 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Parcel business, Evri, has been criticised by Glastonbury and Somerton MP Sarah Dyke over what she claims have been ‘widespread delivery failures’. Demand for mental health support provided by South Western Ambulance Service is running at record levels. A nine-year-old Somerset boy has completed 100 days of litter picking for charity...and more

Parcel business, Evri, has been criticised by Glastonbury and Somerton MP Sarah Dyke over what she claims have been ‘widespread delivery failures’ in her constituency in the run-up to Christmas. It follows numerous complaints about parcels not arriving on time and being left in the wrong place. One resident claims that a parcel was left in a flowerbed, and another found her parcel on the side of the road. Ms Dyke has now written to Evri's chief executive demanding an urgent investigation.

Demand for the South Western Ambulance Service's mental health support is at record levels, with around a quarter of its staff seeking help in the past year. It comes as figures suggest emergency responders are more likely to be diagnosed with a mental health condition than the general population, with blue light workers at a higher risk of suicide than other groups.

The government is preparing to launch a consultation on banning trail hunting. Somerset’s hunts switched to trail hunting when the pursuit of foxes was banned 20 years ago. But critics, including some senior police officers, say it’s being used as a smoke screen for illegal hunting.

A nine-year-old Somerset boy has completed 100 days of litter picking. Theo Roberts set himself the challenge of collecting one large bag of rubbish every day for 100 days to raise money for the environmental charity Surfers Against Sewage. In that time, he has collected more than 340kg of waste and raised more than £2,300 for the charity.

Well done to Martock Charity Shop for reaching half a million pounds in donations to children’s charities in the South West since it opened in 2006. The independent charity shop at 3 North Street is run entirely by unpaid trustees, committee members, and volunteers, and donates to a range of good causes, including schools, children's hospices, children's hospitals, and neonatal units.

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Friday 30th October

Wells Cathedral says it's having to get creative to bring in more money as financial pressures continue to grow. A convenience store in Martock has been allowed to keep its alcohol licence despite an employee working there illegally. Police have seized an illegally ridden e-scooter in Yeovil in response to concerns from local residents... and more
Thursday 29th October

A Yeovil man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for attacking his mother with a knife. People in Chard are being reminded that it’s unlawful to attach flags to lamp posts and street furniture. Wincanton Racecourse has called off its 'Badger Chase Day' because the ground is too firm... and more
Wednesday 28th October

Leweston School near Sherborne has announced that it is closing with immediate effect. NHS Somerset could merge with neighbours in Bath and North-East Somerset and Dorset to cut costs. Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant has launched a campaign to get more people nominated for national honours... and more
Tuesday 27th October

Work has started building a new six-million-pound flood defence scheme in Taunton. Plans have been submitted to build a new church hall in Martock. People are being asked to donate gifts to this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal... and more
Monday 26th October

Eligible groups in Somerset are being encouraged to get their flu jabs. There’s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside Avon & Somerset Police’s control room. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, has visited Yeovil... and more.
Friday 23rd October

Somerset is the 11th most challenging place in England to be a child according to a report. Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire could have its own elected ‘Wessex Mayor’ by 2028. Cricketer, Ian Botham returns to the county this weekend... and more.
Thursday 22nd October

The NFU says that testing for the virus Bluetongue needs to be sped up. Construction of new flats on Yeovil’s Grimsby Corner site will officially begin next year. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind tomorrow... and more.
Wednesday 21st October

The owner of campsite in Somerset says a two-thousand-seven-hundred percent increase in business rates will be 'catastrophic' for his business. Plans to build nearly 300 new homes on the outskirts of Chard have been given the go ahead. Yeovil Town are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Leatherhead 5-2 at Huish Park last night... and more