Archive

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‘This election brings plenty of firsts which are fascinating to politics nerds’

WELL, there we have it. Rishi Sunak has finally blown the starting whistle on the general election, having held said whistle close to his lips and threatened to maybe breathe on it for months, like the world’s meekest football referee. The

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Pensioner fined £1,200 after illegally storing waste at a Blackdown Hills site

A MAN from Culmhead has been fined £1,200 after he illegally stored waste at a site within the Blackdown Hills. In a case brought by the Environment Agency, Ivor Salter, 77, of Otterford Caravan Park, Culmhead, appeared before Taunton magistrates

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Calls to turn historic Taunton building into ‘prime music venue’

A TAUNTON resident has asked the town council to support his community group’s aim to turn a historic building into a “prime music venue”. Chris Waddilove is proposing to turn the Gaumont Palace, which now hosts Mecca Bingo, into a venue for concerts

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Taunton-born scientist died in bike crash on Dartmoor

AN INQUEST has been opened into the death of a retired research scientist from Taunton who was found in a ditch on the roadside during an organised cycle ride on Dartmoor, Ted Davenport writes. Oliver Robinson, of Mount Madford, Launceston, Cornwall

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Somerset politicians comment on General Election announcement

GIDEON Amos, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Taunton and Wellington, has welcomed the announcement about a General Election taking place on July 4. Mr Amos will be campaigning for action to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, the

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Police appeal after decapitated lamb's body gets thrown in Somerset ditch

WINCANTON police have launched an appeal after a lamb's head was decapitated and its body was thrown into a ditch near Queen Camel and Marston Magna. The incident is believed to have happened on Monday (May 20) between the hours of 00am and 10am

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Man admits breaking into Taunton town centre café twice on the same day

A 39-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in court and admitted breaking into the same café in Taunton town centre twice on the same day. Edward Hayes forced entry into Block café, on Magdalene Street, at about 1.20am last Tuesday (May 14) and stole a number

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Supermarket could soon sell alcohol 24/7 at Somerset store after application

A SUPERMARKET could sell alcohol 24 hours a day, every day, from one of its Somerset branches. Asda applied for a licence to sell alcohol 24/7 from its express store on Chamberlain Street in Wells. A message on the Public Notice Portal said

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Clarks Village has five new shops opening for summer

Clarks Village is welcoming five new brands to its shopping outlet this summer, with Global beauty brand Rituals opening today. Rituals opened its Clarks Village store on Thursday, May 23. The brand offers sustainable and luxury beauty products

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Vehicle stolen from Somerset village and used in another theft

A VEHICLE and trailer were stolen from outside a property near Bruton and used in another theft. Police are appealing for the public’s help to find a black Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian that was stolen in South Brewham on Tuesday, May 14. The force

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RECAP: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announces general election: What Somerset has to say

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Somerset finding form in preparation for the Vitality Blast

Somerset players started revving up for this year’s Vitality Blast competition by playing for the Second XI in two T20 matches this week, writes Richard Walsh. On Monday against Worcestershire at Ombersley, the hosts chose to bat and were bowled

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Unique Somerset CCC goodies available in fundraising auction

Somerset cricket mad Stuart Tudball, a lifelong fan of the Cidermen and stalwart member Minehead Cricket Club, is an upholsterer by trade and over the last few months has produced some wonderful bespoke pieces of furniture that he has donated to the

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Businesses and companies support Somerset Armed Forces Day

SOMERSET Armed Forces Day on Saturday, July 6 in Vivary Park is the biggest free event in the county, all made possible by the generosity and kindness of local companies as supporters. Without their financial and material contributions the volunteers

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Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal Winner owns Taunton florist

A RAINY Chelsea Flower Show bursts into bloom this week, so let’s cast our minds back to when Taunton florist Charlotte Murrant took home her second Gold Medal from the show in 2015. Charlotte, who owns Fleur Amour in Taunton, first qualified and

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Meet the inspirational winners of the Pride of Somerset Youth Awards 2024

YOUNG people have been rewarded for their inspirational efforts and accomplishments in the Pride of Somerset Youth Awards 2024. The ceremony, which took place on Thursday, May 16 at The McMillan Theatre in Bridgwater, was hosted by BBC's Simon

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County Gazette’s Pet Idol winner and runners-up for 2024

We’re delighted to announce that the winner of the County Gazette’s Pet Idol for 2024 is nearly four-year-old Lola the Pug Shih-Tzu, owned by Zoe Purcell from Taunton. Accepting the award and £100 voucher for Monkton Elm Pet Care on Lola’s behalf

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Countbacks and tough competition at Taunton and Pickeridge Golf Club

It was a busy week of competition at Taunton and Pickeridge Golf Club. Brian Trickey triumphed in Wednesday's top division Stableford with 37 points, closely followed by David Parker with 35 points. Ben Childs and Tony Reed presented impressive

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Wookey Hole packed with new family activities this May half term

Wookey Hole is gearing up to welcome visitors of all ages this half term. Somerset's beloved family attraction will swing open its gates from May 25, offering thrilling events to its guests. A brand new addition to Wookey's line-up of legends

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Bowling association president presents cheque to cancer charity

The Somerset County Indoor Bowling Association made a £626 donation to the Somerset Prostate Support Association. Alan Jenkins, who is the president of the group, presented the cheque to the charity at Taunton Deane Bowling Club. It was the

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Mixed fortunes for the Pistols and Muskets in baseball action

The Pistols and the Muskets were both in action in game week six of the South West and Wales Baseball League. Bournemouth Bears visited Taunton Green to square off against the Pistols. The home-side showed their early season form after a narrow

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Huge cider celebration at the annual Royal Bath and West Show

A celebration of cider will take place at this year's Royal Bath and West Show. Excitement grows as preparations are in full swing for the Orchards and Cider Exhibition. The event is scheduled to take place between May 30 and June 1. It

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‘This was an outstanding County Championship match, won by a very good side’

WITH the County Championship just one game away from the mid-season break at the end of May, I firmly believe that Somerset are the only county that can push Surrey for the title this season, which ends in the final week of September. At this stage

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Swansong barbecue for Somerset Cricket Club's Mary Elworthy

Somerset County Cricket Club will host a swansong barbecue for life-long supporter and former secretary Mary Elworthy this summer. The event, on June 28, marks her 30th swansong barbecue at Fitzhead. Over the decades, Ms Elworthy has raised

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Urgent care facility for patients at four GP surgeries to close this month

A GROUND-BREAKING service enabling 38,000 patients registered at four local GP surgeries to receive same-day care without going to hospital is closing at the end of May.  The GP Urgent Assessment Service (GPUAS) at Martock Surgery opened in January

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Dachshund owners' chance meeting leads to special gift to charity

A chance meeting of dachshunds will bring benefits to clients of a local charity.   Owners of this distinctive little breed tend to stop and chat when they bump into each other on a dog walk.   And so it was when Wells student Emma Skipper

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MP calls on support for women affected by State Pension changes

Sarah Dyke, the MP for Somerton and Frome, has called on the government to compensate women affected by the State Pension age changes. She recently attended a House of Commons debate, urging ministers to provide compensation to the over 3.6 million

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Wellington AFC celebrate players at annual awards presentation

Wellington AFC held their presentation evening at the clubhouse on Saturday. Midfielder Glen Wright dominated the awards, scooping three accolades including the first team Managers’ Player, Players’ Player, and Supporters’ Player. Chairman

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Somerset Visually Impaired Cricket Club off to a winning start

Somerset Visually Impaired Cricket Club began their home campaign with a Knock Out Cup game against Yorkshire at the idyllic Wombats ground at Bishops Lydeard on Saturday. The knockout cup is 30 overs a side and the home side chose to put a target

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Taunton Brewhouse launches unique Comedy and Curry Nights

Taunton Brewhouse has launched its new Comedy and Curry Nights. It brings together two of life's greatest pleasures, food and laughter. The event offers attendees a choice between chicken or paneer and vegetable curry, garnished with a range