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

Friday 12th June

It's claimed the increasing availability of drugs such as ketamine and cocaine has normalised drug use among young people in Somerset. The trial of a man accused of killing his one-month-old son in Chard begins today at Bristol Crown Court. A stone pillar outside the Langport Arms Hotel in Langport has been replaced after it was destroyed in a car crash... and more
Thursday 11th June

Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to the three aircrew from RNAS Yeovilton who died in last week's helicopter crash in Devon. Two men have been arrested and stolen vehicles seized following a major multi-agency operation in South Somerset. An event highlighting opportunities for women in the aerospace industry has been held in Yeovil... and more
Wednesday 10th June

The public will be consulted on how best to spend fifty million pounds of government funding to tackle flooding in Somerset. Avon and Somerset Police are backing a new road safety campaign aimed at reducing motorcycle fatalities. New welcome signs have been installed at entrances to the Mendip Hills National Landscape... and more
Tuesday 9th June

The government has announced a £50 million investment to strengthen Somerset’s flood defences. A woman from Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been banned from driving for 14 months after admitting drink-driving. Somerset Council has been told it must improve its adult social care services... and more
Monday 8th June

Plans for a new railway station in Langport remain stalled in Whitehall, according to Somerset Council. Plans to build 50 new homes in Broadway, near Ilminster, have been refused. The new water fountains in Yeovil’s Triangle, in Lower Middle Street, are being switched off during very hot weather because of safety concerns... and more.
Friday 5th June

A new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne says it won’t start operating at full capacity until July due to staff shortages. Somerset Council says it has no plans to show England matches in the World Cup on the Big Screen in Yeovil town centre due to safety concerns. A Somerset family has been thanked after completing a 73-mile walk raising money for a third world charity... and more
Thursday 4th June

An investigation continues today into the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter, based at RNAS Yeovilton, in which all three aircrew were killed. Somerset Council has confirmed that a new operator will take over several leisure centres across the county. The new live-action Masters of the Universe movie, filmed in Somerset, is released this week...and more
Wednesday 3rd June

A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with assaulting three police officers. Somerset Council has begun legal action to recover more than £320,000 owed by housing developers. The line-up has been announced for this year’s Ilminster Midsummer Experience...and more