Wednesday 18th February

Wednesday, 18 February 2026 at 05:00

By Steve Haigh

New figures have shown a rise in cases of suicide involving farmers, including in Somerset. Plans to merge the parishes of Castle Cary and Ansford have been scrapped. A Somerset-based charity working to end homelessness is marking its 50th anniversary... and more

New figures have shown a rise in cases of suicide involving farmers, including in Somerset. Nationally, 47 farmers were recorded to have taken their own life in 2024; a seven percent increase on 2022. The Farm Safety Foundation is urging farmers to seek help and to do more to support each other.

Plans to merge Castle Cary with its neighbour Ansford have been scrapped due to "insufficient support" from residents. Following a petition calling for the merger, Somerset Council held a public consultation with the results debated at a meeting of the council's constitution and governance committee. They showed support at 53.6 per cent for the merger but with 35.3 per cent of people living in Ansford not wanting it. After being told the results, the committee voted against merging the two parishes at the present time.

Businesses on the A361 in Somerset say trade has collapsed due to flooding. Despite the A361 remaining open, traders say motorists think they're closed and that Somerset Council should do more to support businesses affected by flooding. Somerset Council says it's happy to review road signs on the A361 but that its priority is to keep people safe and away from roads which are flooded.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has set its budget for the new 2026/27 financial year. From April, its share of the council tax will increase by £5 a year, equivalent to a 4.8 per cent rise. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service says the increase is needed to meet existing demands and to persuade the government to give it better funding.

The new owner of the Plaza cinema in Wincanton, which re-opened this week after years of standing empty, says he hopes local people will give it their support. The Plaza began life as a cinema 90 years ago and after closing in the 1990’s became a community church. Pat Scott, who’s invested heavily in restoring the Plaza says he’s glad to be bringing cinema back in Wincanton.

A Somerset-based charity working to end homelessness is marking its 50th anniversary. Formed in Taunton in 1976, ARC supports people experiencing housing insecurity and is staging a year-long programme of events to highlight its good work.

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