Wednesday 19th August

Wednesday, 19 August 2026 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The fire service in Somerset has issued a plea for the public to take every precaution to prevent wildfires. Plans have been approved for Numatic International to install one-thousand solar panels on roof of their Chard factory. Somerset fast bowler, Jake Ball, has signed a new one-year contract that will keep him at the club for the 2027 season... and more

The fire service has issued a plea for the public to take every precaution to prevent wildfires. Despite some rain forecast over the next few days, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service says the risks of wildfires breaking out remains very high, especially in rural areas.

Plans have been approved for Numatic International – makers of the Henry vacuum cleaner – to install one-thousand solar panels on roof of their Chard factory. The panels, which will generate around 457kW of power, will be laid over 3,700 square meters of roof space at Building 34 on the Millfield industrial estate.

The A303 near Marsh on the Somerset/Devon border was closed for more 12 hours yesterday after a lorry carrying hay bales caught fire. The fire service says the road was shut as a precaution to stop the blaze spreading and to protect other road users. No one was injured but the vehicle suffered extensive fire damage.

Somerset-based Stonewater Housing Association is calling for more affordable homes to be built in rural areas. Currently, thirteen thousand people are on the housing waiting list in Somerset with 1-in-5 registered as living in the countryside.

A Yeovil-based dementia care organisation is marking its 12th anniversary. The Filo Project, a not-for-profit social enterprise, offers dementia care through day groups for people with early to moderate dementia. The service includes transport, a home-cooked meal, and personalised activities in a domestic setting.

In cricket, Somerset fast bowler, Jake Ball, has signed a new one-year contract that will keep him at the club for the 2027 season. Jake says he’ll be giving it everything to help Somerset win matches including the push to win the County Championship.

More from News

Tuesday 18th August

People across Somerset are banned from today from using hosepipes to water gardens, clean windows or cars, or fill swimming and paddling pools. More cases of the potentially deadly livestock disease Bluetongue have been confirmed in Somerset. Work is underway to improve disabled access at Holyrood Academy in Chard... and more
Monday 17th August

Wessex Water, who supplies almost all homes and businesses in Somerset, has introduced a hosepipe ban effective from midnight tonight. A sinkhole on Station Road in Castle Cary has been repaired, two years after it was first discovered. A Wildcat helicopter from RNAS Yeovilton has taken part in the annual passing-out parade at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth... and more
Friday 14th August

Police are investigating an incident in which obscene words were scratched onto the World War One memorial at Ham Hill. Yeovil MP Adam Dance has repeated his call for the upgrade of the town’s police station to include a custody suite. A Somerset carnival club is building a specially adapted float to allow a wheelchair user and her assistance dog to take part in this year’s carnival circuit...and more
Thursday 13th August

An Ilminster family is celebrating after winning one million pounds on the National Lottery. Police have released a picture of a man they want to speak to in connection with suspected frauds in Somerset. Somerset Council has opened a tendering process to find a main contractor for the £15 million upgrade of Yeovil’s Octagon theatre... and more
Wednesday 12th August

Experts say with good visibility forecast for this evening, people across Somerset should have some of the best views of the solar eclipse anywhere in the UK. A Somerset councillor is calling for the Stop Line cycle route between Chard and Ilminster to be better supported. It's 40-years ago this week since a Lynx helicopter built in Yeovil set a new World Helicopter Speed Record... and more
Tuesday 11th August

Wessex Water says a hosepipe ban is possible if customers fail to cut their water usage. A record number of illegal dog fights were reported in Somerset last year. Yeovil Town's Mason Obeng has won the traditional sack of potatoes, given to the player who scores Yeovil's first goal of the new season, as a lucky omen... and more
Monday 10th August

A local councillor claims anti-social behaviour is putting people off coming into Yeovil town centre. South-West Water has announced a hosepipe ban in the Chard area. Great Western Railway has apologised after a wheelchair user from Chard became stuck at one of its stations... and more
Friday 7th August

Chard's biggest employer, Numatic International, makers of the Henry vacuum cleaner, has announced job cuts. A new Neighbourhood Plan for Hatch Beauchamp has officially been adopted. Two historic artefacts taken from Glastonbury Abbey more than 70 years ago have been returned...and more