Archive
-
Date
Musgrove hospital ‘requires improvement’ as its maternity services are ‘inadequate’
MATERNITY services at hospitals in Taunton, Bridgwater and Yeovil are not up to standard, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has found. Inspections at Musgrove Park Hospital, Bridgwater Community Hospital and Yeovil District Hospital were carried
-
Date
Suspected shoplifter 'threatened and hit' victim when challenged on alleged theft
A SUSPECTED shoplifter in Somerset is under investigation by police after he assaulted someone when questioned. Avon and Somerset Police say the man pictured 'threatened' someone who challenged him on an alleged theft at a supermarket on Vulcan
-
Date
Decision on new homes in Wiveliscombe delayed over car parking fears
A DECISION on new homes in Wiveliscombe has been pushed back until concerns about car parking can be addressed. Lone Star Property LLP secured outline planning permission from Somerset West and Taunton Council in April 2020 to deliver up to 71
-
Date
WH Smith to launch toy shop in its Taunton store
RETAILER WH Smith has included Taunton as one of the first 17 locations for the next tranche of Toys R Us shops to launch within its stores over the summer, PA reports. The high street group, which has already opened nine Toys R Us shop-in-shops
-
Date
Nearly 150 new homes are coming to Watchet despite fears of 'serious accident'
A COASTAL town will be getting nearly 150 new homes despite fears of a “serious accident” on the neighbouring roads. Grass Roots Planning were granted permission by Somerset West and Taunton Council in October 2019 to build 139 new homes on land
-
Date
Police warn of fraudsters using missing pets to exploit locals in Somerset
AVON and Somerset Police is urging residents to "always question the source" of anything you share on social media. This includes posts about holiday getaways which seem too good to be true and even missing pet appeals. A spokesperson from
-
Date
New Lidl applies to stay open and sell alcohol until 11pm as construction under way
A BRANCH of Lidl which is currently being built in Somerset after the demolition of its former store has applied for an alcohol license. The new Lidl set to open in Wells in February 2025 is seeking Somerset Council's permission to sell alcohol
-
Date
Further uncertainty as decision on 1,400 new homes in Taunton delayed again
TAUNTON residents face a further six months of uncertainty over the fate of more than 1,400 new homes planned on the edge of their town. Persimmon Homes South West and Redrow Homes put forward joint plans in December 2021 for phase two of the Monkton
-
Date
Taunton pizza restaurant welcomes back customers after refurbishment
PIZZAEXPRESS Taunton is ready to serve new and returning customers after recent refurbishment works. Having first opened 27 years ago, PizzaExpress Taunton is located on Bridge Street a few doors down from the River Tone, with the pizzeria team
-
Date
Devon puts £12m extra into maintaining county's roads – but repair backlog hits £200m
Extra funding to help repair Devon’s battered roads has been approved but comes as the county’s backlog of repairs hits an estimated £200 million. Thanks to savings accrued during the year and a budget underspend, Devon is now able to put £12 million
-
Date
Cops failed to investigate strangling and covered up mistakes, misconduct panel hears
TWO police constables failed to investigate the robbery and strangling of a vulnerable woman in a Bristol alleyway and then tried to cover up their mistakes, a misconduct hearing was told. PC James Stone and PC Daniel Sweet neglected their policing
-
Date
Revised plans for nearly 60 new homes in Somerset town approved
REVISED plans for nearly 60 new homes in a Somerset town have been approved by local councillors. The Curo housing association put forward plans in August 2022 to deliver 60 new homes (subsequently watered down to 54) on the Underhill Farm site
-
Date
Households can claim up to £7,500 in government grants to install heat pumps
THOUSANDS of Somerset households can claim thousands of pounds in government grants to install heat pumps to reduce their energy bills. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is currently offering grants under its boiler upgrade scheme
-
Date
JD Wetherspoon reveals menu change with new drinks added including Tequila Rose
JD Wetherspoon has introduced a number of new drinks to its menu including Stella Unfiltered, Tequila Rose and Au Vodka strawberry. The pub chain, which boasts sites all over the UK, already offers a diverse menu - both food and drink - at a cost-effective
-
Date
The common morning routine that is making your hay fever worse
AN expert has warned hay fever sufferers that a common morning routine could be making their symptoms much worse. As warmer weather comes to the UK with the advent of spring and summer, pollen counts across the country are on the rise, leaving
-
Date
Homeowners to see new bin collection rule come into force, government says
HOUSEHOLDS in England will change the way they recycle under new simpler bin collection rules, the government says. Recyclables will be put into one bin by households in England. The Environment Department (Defra) announced on Friday that the
-
Date
Warning to Universal Credit, PIP, and other claimants ahead of DWP change
EXPERTS have issued a warning to anyone who receives Universal Credit, PIP and other benefits ahead of changes to payments. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) who manage benefit payments to eligible claimants do not make payments on bank
-
Date
Bomb scare near supermarket lands parking fines for shoppers after police evacuation
SHOPPERS at a branch of Tesco in Somerset were confused to see they had been issued parking fines after police evacuated the area due to a suspected bomb. At the supermarket, in Wells, on Saturday, April 6, police investigated a potential bomb
-
Date
Works on new police station in Somerset town to start next week
REFURBISHMENT works to provide a new police station in Minehead will start next week. Avon and Somerset Police said they are expecting works on the former Seahorse Centre to be completed by late autumn. An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson
-
Date
Somerset Council approves dog ban on popular beach after public consultation
SOMERSET Council has decided dogs will be banned from part of a popular beach in the county this summer. At an Executive meeting which took place on Wednesday, May 8, councillors approved a proposal to re-implement a Public Spaces Protection Order
-
Date
Mayor of Taunton commemorates VE-Day with ceremony in Vivary Park
THE Mayor of Taunton has taken part in a ceremony commemorating the 79th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. The event took place yesterday evening (Wednesday, May 8) in Vivary Park, where the Mayor, councillor Nick O’Donnell, placed a wreath
-
Date
More events announced for Somerset Armed Forces Day in Taunton
MORE exciting announcements for Somerset Armed Forces Day have been made and details have been released for the main stage performers. The highly acclaimed ‘Forces Sweetheart’, Kirsten Orsborn will be singing live. Singing from just age 7,
-
Date
Pride of Somerset Youth Awards 2024: Here's what to expect
THE countdown has begun for this year's Pride of Somerset Youth Awards. Remarkable young people will have their efforts recognised at the ceremony, which will take place on Thursday, May 16, 6.30pm-9pm at The McMillan Theatre, Bridgwater.
-
Date
Celebrity chefs join the line-up at this year's Royal Bath and West Show
DIETS will be forgotten with the food on offer at this year's Royal Bath and West Show (May 30 to June 1), with the bank holiday Monday being International ‘No Diet Day’. A full line-up of chefs have been announced for The Great British Kitchen
-
Date
Sarah Dyke MP backs legislation for assisted dying in the UK
Sarah Dyke, MP for Somerton and Frome, has pledged support for legislation of assisted dying in the UK in particular circumstances. Having recently outlined her belief that assisted dying should be legalised, the Somerset MP maintains that there
-
Date
Somerset babies swim their way to record breaking Splashathons
Over 1500 babies across Devon, Somerset, Dorset and Salisbury took to the water to raise over £700,000. They completed swimming challenges in colourful costumes, as part of the 'Splashathon' fundraising events. Money was raised for the charities
-
Date
Queen's College sponsors Memory Garden for St Margaret's Hospice
Queen's College in Taunton has announced its sponsorship of a Memory Garden to support the work of St Margaret's Hospice. Old Queenian and alumna Lucy Allen is among those who designed the garden. It is set to bring therapeutic benefits to
-
Date
Celebrate Fleet Air Arm Museum's 60th birthday this May half-term
The Fleet Air Arm Museum will celebrate its 60th birthday with a host of events and exhibitions this May half-term. It involves creating historical aircraft from bricks, experiencing a massive balloon Concorde, and participating in a fresh digital
-
Date
Ice cream company sees ‘significant uplift’ in sales after funding boost
A SOMERSET ice cream business has seen a “significant uplift” in sales following an injection of central government funding. The government’s rural England prosperity fund (REPF) provides grants to small businesses and organisations in rural parts
-
Date
Volunteers help spruce up Taunton community centre garden
A team of volunteers from National Highways helped spruce up a community centre garden in Taunton. Members of the Quality and Performance Team in the South West lent a helping hand to Priorswood Community Centre. Their duties included a litter
-
Date
Last chance to sign up for the Air Ambulance Cycle Challenge
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has issued a last call for registrations for its Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge. The popular event takes place on Saturday, May 18 with online registration closing at midnight on Sunday, May 12. It offers a
-
Date
Final stages of national singing competition coming to Taunton
The final stages of the Somerset Song Prize are coming to Taunton this weekend. It starts with the semi-finals on Saturday, starting at 1.30pm, while the final gets underway on Sunday - all at Temple Methodist Church. The national singing competition
-
Date
MP candidate Faye Purbrick pays a visit to Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil
Faye Purbrick, the Conservative candidate for Glastonbury and Somerton, visited Leonardo in Yeovil. She discussed the company's plans, including manufacturing the AW149 helicopter, with company CEO Clive Higgins. Leonardo is a major defence
-
Date
Taunton garden and tree collection opens over bank holiday weekend
A garden and tree collection in Taunton was opened to the public in aid of nursing charities supported by the National Gardens Scheme. Over bank holiday weekend, Little Yarford Farm welcomed more than 150 visitors to the slopes of the Quantocks
-
Date
Dulux Decorator Centre launch 'Canmesty' recycling initiative
Dulux Decorator Centre is calling all decorators and tradespeople to take part in a 'Canmesty' this May. The initiative is part of the company's ambitious plan to triple the number of paint cans recycled by 2025, in line with its sustainability
-
Date
Taunton firm successfully refurbishes Chippenham office space
A Taunton firm successfully completed a refurbishment of an office space in Chippenham. Summerfield Commercial reinvigorated Turnpike House, located on the established Methuen Office Park. Turnpike House is a modern two-storey office building
-
Date
Wellington veterinary centre honoured with prestigious award
A Wellington veterinary referral centre has been recognised for its quality care for dogs with a prestigious award. Cave Veterinary Specialists, part of the Linnaeus group, has received Dog Friendly Clinic accreditation from Dogs Trust and the
-
Date
Fundraiser for Somerset children's charity retires after raising over £10million
A FUNDRAISER for a Somerset children's charity has retired after raising over £10million in her 38 year career. Carole Headley, who has worked as a fundraiser for Brainwave for the past twelve years, has raised money for various charities across
-
Date
Fate of rivalling Frome regeneration plans to be decided by late-summer
THE fate of two rivalling plans to regenerate Frome town centre will be decided by Somerset Council by the end of the summer. The Saxonvale site in Frome town centre has seen the subject of two competing proposals for its regeneration – one from
-
Date
Leading wildlife consultancy firm to expand after rebrand
One of Somerset's leading ecological consultancies has revealed its new look amid a rebrand. What was previously called First Ecology will now operate under the new name and brand of Somerset Wildlife Trust Consultancy (SWTC). This comes after
