Wednesday 3rd December

Wednesday, 3 December 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. It happened on Stibbear Lane in Donyatt at around 6.30 pm on Monday, during heavy rain. The driver was trapped for around one hour before being released and moved to a place of safety.

Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. Police say they will be stepping up roadside checks during December and say tip-offs received from the public on drivers getting behind the wheel of a car high on alcohol or drugs will be acted upon immediately.

A restaurant in Castle Cary has closed just one year after opening. The Lazy Lobster, on the High Street, launched in August last year, and blames financial reasons for the closure.

A road in Ilminster will close for half a day next week to allow Openreach to carry out repairs to overhead cables. Townsend, from its junction with Bay Hill, will be shut to traffic in both directions between 9 am and 3 pm on Monday, December 8th.

A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships. Caroline Faithfull won gold, silver, and bronze in the 1500 metre freestyle, the 100 metre backstroke, and the 800 metre freestyle events. It follows her success at the recently held European Open Down Syndrome Swimming Championships, where she set several new world records.

A Chard woman has won a top prize in the Female Business Awards 2025. Debbie Gilbert, owner of Business Women UnLtd, won first prize in the Networker of the Year category and came runner-up in the Professional Service category.

More from News

Thursday 11th December

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Wednesday 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 9th December

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Monday 8th December

Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Friday 5th December

Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
Thursday 4th December

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Tuesday 2nd December

A 33-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a serious assault in Wincanton. Fire crews have dealt with a house fire in the village of Pitney. Plans have been submitted to redevelop Bridgwater Docks into a cultural and tourist destination. Ilminster's annual Christmas tree festival has opened in the town...and more
Monday 1st December

New figures show that crime in the Avon and Somerset police area rose by 8% in the year to June. South Western Railway has restarted running hourly services through Sherborne, Yeovil and Crewkerne following months of disruption. Persimmon Homes South West has donated £1500 towards the running costs of Castle Cary Rugby Club...and more