Archive

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Somerset restaurant given new hygiene rating by Food Standards Agency

A SOMERSET restaurant has been given a new food hygiene rating after refreshed UK ratings. Amchara Health Retreat, a food establishment at Langford Budville Wellington, Somerset was given an increased score after an assessment this year on September

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Nearly 100 Exmoor homes better protected from flooding through 'reset' of local river

Communities across the Exmoor National Park are now better protected from flooding after a local river was ‘reset’ to create new wetlands. The River Aller flows from its source near Wootton Courtenay under the A39 between Minehead and Porlock,

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RECAP: Emergency repairs on A39 causing 'major' traffic delays

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New Charlie Bigham recipes to make this autumn

‘Over the years a lot of customers have suggested that I write a cookbook,’ Charlie says. ‘It’s finally happened and has turned out to be a lot of fun.’ With a focus on ‘fuss-free and flavourful’, the book shares more than 100 recipes divided into

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The RSPB is celebrating 30 years at Ham Wall Nature Reserve

When the RSPB took over the Ham Wall site near Glastonbury back in 1994 there was, of course, the small matter of restoring a semi-industrial devastated landscape into the beautiful sea of reeds that you see today but there was always one central aim

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Police launch witness appeal after 'serious sexual assault' in Taunton

POLICE are looking for witnesses after a "serious sexual assault" which occurred in Taunton last month. Police detectives are investigating after a woman was beckoned over to a vehicle in South Street, Taunton, by two unknown men at around 12:15am

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RECAP: A303 partially blocked with 'heavy traffic' after major crash

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Driver detected at 103mph in 50mph zone near Taunton

POLICE have detected a motorist driving at 103mph in a 50mph zone near Taunton. Officers from the Road Safety Enforcement Team detected the driver in Thurloxton as part of their Fatal 5 operation. An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said

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Somerset man given three-year ban for drink-driving on the A361

A GURNEY Slade man who was caught at the wheel nearly double the drink drive limit has been given a three-year driving ban. Somerset Magistrates were told that Ashley Wedmore had a previous conviction for drug driving back in 2021 when he put his

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New owner joined by 'local legend' to open new book shop near Taunton

A NEW owner has given a beloved book shop near Taunton a fresh new look and identity. Chocolate Books, formerly the Old Carousel Pig, recently opened in Wiveliscombe, after the Old Carousel Pig's original owner, Alison, retired.  The new owner

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Niamh Holland signs new contract at Somerset County Cricket Club

Niamh Holland has become the latest player to sign for Somerset County Cricket Club. The 19-year-old all-rounder from Langport made her Somerset debut in 2019 and was part of the side that won the T20 Division Two title. She was also a member of

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'Leach and Bashir, England and Somerset's spin options'

Despite England’s loss to Pakistan, who gained their first victory in 12 test matches, all the talk following that victory has been about the spinners on both sides and the state of the pitch that was used in the previous test match writes Merv Colenutt

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Man drinking rum from a pint glass admits causing a nuisance to his Street neighbours

A STREET man who was causing a nuisance to his neighbours was drinking rum from a pint glass when police arrived at the scene. Michael Smith told the officers he “didn’t give a f*** about the neighbours” and later confessed that he had been on

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M5 set to close overnight this week

A STRETCH of the M5 is due to close overnight for the next two nights near Somerset as maintenance work is completed. National Highways has announced they will complete 'concrete repairs' near junction 27 this week. There are overnight closures

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Fifth win of the season for Taunton Titans after victory in Herefordshire

National League One: Luctonians 12 Taunton Titans 23 In deepest Herefordshire overnight rain had left a soft pitch. A fine afternoon, a cross wind, a low sun saw a crowd of 672 attend the first ever meeting of these two clubs., writes Hugh

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Glastonbury man pleads guilty to newly-introduced offence

A GLASTONBURY man who posted sexually explicit photos of his former partner online is to be sentenced by Somerset Magistrates next month. Adam David Capewell circulated the intimate photos of the victim on a website, much to the horror of his ex

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'We'll come back stronger' - Taunton Town manager Richard Luffman after Totton defeat

‘We took a bruise tonight, but we’ll come back stronger from this’ – that was the thoughts of Taunton Town manager Richard Luffman after their 5-1 defeat at AFC Totton on Tuesday night. The Peacocks shipped five goals in their latest Southern League

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Somerset NHS Foundation Trust appoints new chair

THE Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has appointed Dr Rima Makarem as its new chair. Dr Makarem, who will join the trust in early 2025, has 15 years’ experience working at board level in the NHS and has worked at regional and national level. She

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Peacocks in FA Trophy action as they travel to Gosport Borough

Taunton Town are on the road again on Saturday (October 26), this time in the Isuzu FA Trophy as they face Gosport Borough. The Peacocks are in the first round proper of the competition after defeating Basingstoke Town at the Cygnet Health Care

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New estimate shows how much film and TV crews spent filming in Somerset this year

Film and television production spent nearly £3m in Somerset in the last year, the latest Screen Somerset estimates have revealed. A series of high-end TV shows and feature films have chosen to set key scenes in the county, supported by Somerset

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Works to start at Somerset depots to bring brand-new electric buses to the county

WORKS on two bus depots will start at the end of this month as part of a project that will bring 26 electric buses to Somerset. The Taunton and Minehead depots will both be electrified, First Bus said, after a joint bid involving the company and

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Bishop's Lydeard museum supports Taunton charities

Four Taunton-based charities received cheques from Bishop's Lydeard Mill and Rural Life Museum. Representatives visited the restored building on Saturday, where they met with owners Charlie and Yvonne Back. Since restoration, the couple have

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Taunton and Pickeridge Golf Club announce series of events

Even though the weather recently seems to have been challenging for golfers at Taunton and Pickeridge GC, there are plenty of events lined up over the coming months which all members are invited to join in with. First up is Night Golf on Friday

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Rachel Gilmour MP backs landmark bill to tackle climate crisis

Rachel Gilmour, MP for Tiverton and Minehead, has backed a landmark bill which helps the UK meet its international climate and nature targets. If passed, the Climate and Nature (CAN) Bill would update the UK’s climate and environmental legislation

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Somerset households told to 'check your tap' this winter in risk of illness

SOMERSET households have been warned by experts this winter, with an increased global rise in a bacterial disease - which is a type of pneumonia. Amid rising concern about the globally increasing risk of Legionella, leading Legionella rapid testing

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Minehead Ladies put to the sword by table toppers North Devon

North Devon 1s showed why they are top of the league as they put Minehead Ladies to the sword at Barnstaple on Saturday. The hosts quickly took charge of the game. But despite North Devon's dominance, Minehead’s Hannah Sparks, stepping in as

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Minehead book launch for unique Dunster tale

Literature enthusiasts gathered for the launch of a new book in Minehead. More than 70 people came together at Dunster's Tithe Barn on Friday, October 18, for the launch of the 'Tale of the Dunster Dragon'. The book, featuring a story-poem,

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Wedding photographer in the running for regional award

Just James Weddings has been announced as a regional finalist at The Wedding Industry Awards 2025. The business, which is run by James Clarke, has been shortlisted in the 'Wedding Photographer' category. Mr Clarke said: "To be named as a finalist

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Sarah Dyke MP backs landmark climate bill

Sarah Dyke, MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, has backed a landmark bill to put the UK back on track to meet climate and nature targets. The Liberal Democrat MP was an early supporter of the Climate and Nature (CAN) Bill and has been an active advocate