Camper van on fire in Taunton 14 October, 2019 - One fire appliance from Taunton was immediately mobilised following a call from a member of public reporting a camper van on fire at Critchard Way in Taunton at 18:43 this evening (Monday). On arrival, the [...]
Help save lives on the road in Somerset 14 October, 2019 - A local car dealership is among the firms helping drive forward life-saving work in Somerset by sponsoring the County Council’s road safety team. Rowcliffes Vauxhall have shown their commitment to helping reduce the number of [...] Shed ‘well alight’ in Taunton 11 October, 2019 - Two fire appliances from Taunton attended a shed fire on Greenway Road in Taunton at 16:16 this afternoon (Friday). The shed was well alight on arrival. Crews put the fire out using two breathing apparatus [...]
Low Carbon Future: ‘Somerset is Leading the Way’ 11 October, 2019 - Somerset is at the forefront of innovations to help the country deliver a low carbon future. That’s the view of Councillor David Hall, Cabinet Member for Economy and Inward Investment at Somerset County Council, who [...]
Family tribute to car driver who died in fatal A38 collision 11 October, 2019 - The family of the car driver who died in a collision on the A38 near Wellington have released a photo and short tribute. Simon Lane, a local businessman, aged 54, sadly died at the scene [...]
Avon and Somerset Police will get 137 new officers next year 9 October, 2019 - Avon and Somerset Police will get 137 new officers next year as part of the Home Office drive to recruit 20,000 nationally by 2022. Today the Home Secretary announced that every police force in England [...]
Chairman’s award for World Cup hero 9 October, 2019 - Local hero Jos Buttler has had his Cricket World Cup feats recognised with a special award from Somerset County Council. Wicketkeeper batsman Jos, originally from Wedmore, was a key figure in England’s historic World Cup [...]
Local Lottery bonus draw 9 October, 2019 - Everyone who signs up to purchase one or more tickets for the Somerset West Lottery between now and 2 November 2019 will be in with the chance to win a bonus prize this autumn. Players [...]
Man dies following fatal collision involving car and lorry on A38 9 October, 2019 - Avon and Somerset Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal collision on the A38 near Wellington yesterday (Tuesday). The incident happened shortly before 13:00 on the hill near to the Beambridge Inn and involved [...]
Taunton flat linked to county lines drug dealing closed for three months 8 October, 2019 - A flat in Taunton linked to county lines drug dealing will be closed for three months following a legal ruling. A successful closure order application was made at Taunton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (3 October) [...]
Musgrove Park Hospital wins award for new obesity app 8 October, 2019 - Musgrove Park Hospital has won a national award for an innovative new obesity app. The award for best practice across the UK was presented by the Association for the Study of Obesity at their annual UK Congress on Obesity. The [...]
Funding will continue for Taunton’s Brewhouse 7 October, 2019 - Somerset West and Taunton has confirmed its continued financial support for a key member of Taunton’s artistic and cultural life. The council will continue to fund the The Brewhouse Theatre & Arts Centre‘s £132,000 a [...]
‘COMMON SALT’ seasons Somerset libraries 7 October, 2019 - Common Salt – a ‘show and tell’ performance around a table – begins a national tour this autumn with a chance to see it at three Somerset Libraries – Wells, Frome and Yeovil from this [...] Remembrance in Taunton 4 October, 2019 - The Mayor of Taunton, Councillor Francesca Smith, will lead a programme of events to mark this year’s annual observation of Remembrance. Cllr Smith will be joined by a civic party including members of Somerset West [...]
Digital theme for Libraries Week 3 October, 2019 - A care home visit and free virtual reality tours at Taunton Library are on the agenda in a bid to encourage people to get digital for National Libraries Week. The theme for this year’s libraries [...] Investing in families 2 October, 2019 - Somerset County Council is extending a pilot project that should see nearly 100 families receive extra support when they need it. The Safe Families for Children scheme was trialled in Mendip and South Somerset last [...]
Great Western Hotel finalists at prestigious Somerset awards 2 October, 2019 - The Great Western Hotel in Taunton has become a finalist at this year’s Somerset Business Awards, in the Private and Public Collaboration category. The Private and Public Collaboration award recognises joint efforts between private and [...]
Winter is coming, be prepared! 1 October, 2019 - The NHS want to encourage Somerset’s residents to get ready for winter early this year, by taking measures now to ensure they stay safe throughout the cold weather this winter. Cold weather is a major [...]
Civil Partnerships for all 1 October, 2019 - Somerset County Council’s Registration Service is ready and waiting for couples wishing to tie the knot through a new ‘opposite sex civil partnership’ next year. The service would love to hear from couples interested in [...] Car ‘well alight’ in Taunton 1 October, 2019 - One fire engine from Taunton was mobilised to a car on fire in Bramley Road at 00:12 this morning (Tuesday). The fire service said the fire is believed to have been started maliciously and was [...]
Yellow Weather warning for rain issued for Tuesday 30 September, 2019 - The Met Office have issued another yellow weather warning for rain on Tuesday (1st Oct) for Taunton and the south of the UK. There will be sunny spells but frequent scattered heavy showers, with the [...]
Wellington Carnival 2019: Results and Video 30 September, 2019 - The South Somerset Federation Carnivals season started on Saturday (28 Sep) with Wellington Carnival. Starting at 7.30pm from Rockwell Green the annual illuminated procession began winding its way through the town. The carnival route is [...] Summer Reading Challenge lands after successful mission 30 September, 2019 - Over 7,000 children visited libraries across Somerset to take part in ‘Space Chase’ – this year’s national Summer Reading Challenge inspired by the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing. Children signed up to read up [...]
Cheaper garden waste collections proposed 30 September, 2019 - Somerset Waste Partnership has proposed that the cost of garden waste collections be reduced, thanks to its deal with the new collections contractor SUEZ. From next April – if the five Somerset councils that make [...]
Female rescued from vehicle on its side 28 September, 2019 - Fire appliances from Taunton and Bridgwater were mobilised to a report of a road traffic collision in Dark Lane, Stoke St Gregory at 15:29 this afternoon (Saturday). On arrival at the scene, fire crews reported [...]
Wellington Carnival 2019: Everything you need to know 27 September, 2019 - This Saturday (28th Sept) will see the start of the South Somerset Federation carnival processions as Wellington will be awash with light and colour. Wellington Carnival starts at 7.30pm from Rockwell Green and lasts around [...] Yellow weather warning for rain this weekend 27 September, 2019 - The Met Office have issued a weather warning for rain for south-west UK effective from 6pm Saturday (28th) until 5pm Sunday (29th). A period of very heavy rain overnight on Saturday will be accompanied by [...]
Taunton Men in Sheds celebrates successful first year at the palace 27 September, 2019 - The Taunton Men in Sheds (MIST), based on Belvedere Trading Estate are celebrating their first year anniversary. Having opened in September 2018, thanks to National Lottery funding the Shed has grown massively during the year [...]
Online package to help children be heard 27 September, 2019 - An improved online package to help children and young people make their voices heard has been launched by Somerset County Council. Building on an easily accessible toolkit created last year, Somerset Young People’s Voice is [...] Apply now for your school place 25 September, 2019 - Somerset parents are being urged to make sure they apply for school places online and in time. Whether your child is starting school for the first time, or transferring to their next school, applications need [...] It’s OK to ask for help 25 September, 2019 - “It’s ok to ask for help” – that’s the message from organisations and agencies across Somerset who have a part to play in supporting children and families. It’s not unusual for many families to find [...]
Taunton Academy pupil achieves a black belt in Shōtōkan karate 24 September, 2019 - A Taunton Academy pupil is celebrating after achieving a black belt in Shōtōkan karate at the weekend. Nathan Hartnell, 13, from Norton Fitzwarren has been working towards the sport’s highest grade since he was six years old, [...]
Double business boost as Enterprise Centres have lift off 24 September, 2019 - Two business-boosting enterprise centres for Somerset have taken a great leap forward with work now underway at the sites in Wells and Wiveliscombe. Units have been craned onto the old Karro Food Group site at [...] Somerset West and Taunton Council supports Empty Homes Week 23 September, 2019 - Somerset West and Taunton Council is highlighting its work to reduce the number of empty properties in the area during National Empty Homes Week (23 – 29 September). The Council has a dedicated empty homes [...] Project EDWARD aims to make Europe’s roads safer 23 September, 2019 - A Europe-wide event which aims to reduce road deaths is being backed by the road safety team at Somerset County Council. Project EDWARD – European Day Without A Road Death – is organised by TISPOL, [...]
Education boost for Somerset as nearly £17m of school projects are completed 20 September, 2019 - Somerset school children have started the academic year boosted by a multi-million collection of school new builds and improvements. These include the £8.5m Hazelbrook campus at Selworthy School and the new £7.3m Nerrols Primary school, [...]
Green Flags are up 19 September, 2019 - Green Flags have been raised at six of SWT’s parks and open spaces which were recognised as some of the best in this year’s Green Flag Award Scheme. This international award is a sign to [...]
Trial closure of St James Street in Taunton sees ‘increase in footfall’ 18 September, 2019 - The first monitoring report from Somerset West and Taunton Council on the trial closure of St James Street has shown an increase in footfall at the junction of North Street and St James Street. Counts for [...]
Five years of compassionate care 18 September, 2019 - The Marie Curie Companions service, based at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, is celebrating its 5th anniversary. The unique service, launched in 2014, has provided tailored and compassionate support to almost 1000 people who have [...] Essential resurfacing work on A39 at Dragon Cross 18 September, 2019 - Essential resurfacing on a key road in West Somerset is due to take place early next month. The A39 at Dragon Cross near Bilbrook has historically been affected by flooding with a number of drainage [...]
Four businesses to compete for £6,000 prize at Somerset Launch 17 September, 2019 - The finalists for the first ever Launch Somerset event have been announced, ahead of the live event taking place on 19 September at Company Spaces, Taunton. Launch gives new enterprises an opportunity to pitch their [...]
Recycling sites switch to winter hours on 1 October 16 September, 2019 - All of Somerset’s 16 recycling sites switch to their new winter timetables from Tuesday 1 October. When open weekdays, they will continue to start at 9am but close earlier, at 5pm. Year-round Saturday and Sunday [...]
Tom Banton signs new Somerset deal 14 September, 2019 - Somerset County Cricket Club are delighted to be able to announce that Tom Banton has signed a new two-year contract extension. The 20-year-old’s current deal was due to expire at the end of next season, [...]
Nominate a VIP to officially open Christmas Tree Farm 13 September, 2019 - SOMERSET folk are this month (September, 2019) being asked to nominate a person from the community to help declare a shop near Wellington that’s dedicated to all things Christmassy open. Langford Lakes Christmas Tree Farm is [...]
Taunton man who raped woman as she slept jailed for seven years 12 September, 2019 - A 50-year-old man from Taunton who raped a woman as she slept has been jailed for seven years after being convicted following a trial. Jonathan Bristow, of Shoreditch in Taunton, took advantage of the woman [...]
Recycling site permit scheme rolls on unchanged 12 September, 2019 - Got a bright orange permit to take your van or trailer to recycling sites? Has it got a 30 September expiry date? Do not worry or get a new permit; the scheme is rolling on [...]
Cash up for grabs to fund young people’s campaigns in Somerset 11 September, 2019 - Charities and community groups in Somerset are being invited to bid for a share of £50,000 for projects that inspire young people into social action. Somerset County Council is investing £25,000 from its new Prevention [...] Extended Suicide Bereavement Support Service Launched This Week 11 September, 2019 - World Suicide Prevention Day was marked yesterday by the launch of an improved and extended Somerset Suicide Bereavement Support Service funded by Somerset County Council. Somerset is one of just a handful of places in [...]
Friday September 20th- Earth Strike Day in Taunton 11 September, 2019 - On Friday September 20th, Taunton will be one of thousands of locations worldwide to play host to Earth Strike. This will be the first General Strike in the UK since 1926 – and will be [...]
Vivary Park confirmed for Armed Forces Day 2020 10 September, 2019 - he annual Armed Forces Day is a chance for everyone to show their support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community, and the organisers behind the planned Taunton and Somerset [...]
New Children’s Nursery for Taunton 9 September, 2019 - A brand new nursery school for Taunton opens its doors this month. Nerrols Nursery will offer care and education for children aged between two and four. Based in the grounds of the new Nerrols Primary [...]
Taunton man who stabbed PCSO Sam Bushen with scissors convicted 6 September, 2019 - A man from Taunton who stabbed a PCSO with a pair of scissors has been convicted of a number of offences including actual bodily harm, burglary and theft. Sam Reynolds, 35, of no fixed address [...] Have your say on next step of England Coast Path 6 September, 2019 - Members of the public are invited to have their say on proposals for the next phase of the England Coast Path running through Somerset. Natural England were given the task of creating a public walking [...] Coal Orchard development begins 5 September, 2019 - Somerset West and Taunton Council (SWT) is working with its development partner Midas Construction to ensure the public are safe and well-informed during delivery of the Coal Orchard regeneration project. Midas Construction began work at [...]
New school buses are green for go! 4 September, 2019 - A fleet of five low-emission coaches will be hitting the roads of Somerset this week. Somerset County Council has decided to run the coaches on a number of school routes to help address a lack [...]
Pop in to the pop-up 4 September, 2019 - An eye-catching “pop-up” vehicle is out and about in Somerset offering activities and high-tech wizardry throughout the county. Somerset Libraries’ new outreach vehicle is kitted-out with some of the cutting-edge technology which is fast becoming [...] Emergency Services Flag Raising 4 September, 2019 - Somerset West and Taunton Council (SWT) will mark national Emergency Services Day with a flag raising ceremony at Deane House. The 999 Flag will be raised on Friday 6 September and will remain flying until [...]
Council commitment to apprentices 3 September, 2019 - Somerset County Council has underlined its commitment to apprentices by signing the UNISON Apprenticeship Charter. The Charter is a pledge to make sure apprentices at the Council get high-quality training; appropriate support, supervision and pay. [...]
Weekend tickets announced for Live In Somerset at Taunton’s Vivary Park 3 September, 2019 - LCC Live, the concert promoter that has brought some of the biggest names in music to Vivary Park in recent years, has today (Tuesday 3 September 2019) announced the sale of weekend tickets for its [...] New grants to feed grass-roots action 2 September, 2019 - Somerset’s County Councillors will have £2,000 each to fund community projects that improve lives under a new scheme launched in September. The Improving Lives Grants Scheme has been created to kick-start and support voluntary and [...]
Supporting our student nurses 30 August, 2019 - Health and care services in Somerset are working towards making it easier for people to train as nurses in the county; by working with education providers who hope to offer a locally available nursing degree [...]
Make your voices heard, young people across Somerset are urged 29 August, 2019 - The biggest youth consultation in the UK is now underway as young people aged 11-18 across Somerset get ready to vote on the issues that matter most to them. Somerset’s Youth Parliament, which is supported [...] Overnight burglary at Taunton nursery 28 August, 2019 - Avon and Somerset Police are appealing for help following an overnight burglary at a nursery premises in Taunton. The incident happened between 01:00 – 03:00 on 26 August at the nursery in Stoke Road. The [...]
Local Charity Fills The Gap 28 August, 2019 - Adults with learning disabilities and/or Autism have a new base in the heart of Taunton with the creation of Compass Everyday. This new service from the charity, Compass Disability Services, has been designed for adults [...]
Test your knowledge and raise funds for two charities 28 August, 2019 - KEEN quizzers in Somerset are invited to sign up for a Charity Quiz & Supper Evening taking place at an award-winning farm shop in the county. The event, which is in aid of Compass Disability Services and [...] Your chance to support road safety in Somerset 27 August, 2019 - A new initiative is offering organisations and businesses the chance to support important road safety work within Somerset. Latest data shows the number of injury collisions in Somerset was the lowest ever last year – [...]
Find out more about Musgrove Park’s new surgical centre developments 23 August, 2019 - Musgrove Park Hospital is holding a public engagement meeting where people can find out the latest news on the new surgical centre developments. The event takes place on Wednesday 4 September, from 1 – 2pm, [...]
Contract signed for Coal Orchard regeneration 22 August, 2019 - Somerset West and Taunton Council has formally signed a contract with Midas Construction for delivery of the flagship Coal Orchard regeneration. Midas Construction, part of the Midas Group, is one of the UK’s largest independent [...] Can you help support arts activities in schools? 21 August, 2019 - Donations are being sought from businesses and residents across Somerset to support arts and cultural opportunities for children and young people. The County Council is backing local arts charity Somerset Partnership Arts Education Agency (SPAEDA) [...] The flexible way for apprenticeships 21 August, 2019 - Somerset businesses keen to take on an apprentice can now tap into help from Somerset County Council. The authority is making use of recent rule changes to offer ‘levy transfers’ that will cut the costs [...]
New Chief Medical Officer for Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust 21 August, 2019 - Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (TSFT) and Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (Sompar) look forward to welcoming Dr Daniel Meron as Chief Medical Officer across the alliance. Dr Meron is currently Chief Medical Officer [...] CCTV appeal after assault on child in Boots in Taunton 20 August, 2019 - Avon and Somerset Police would like to speak to a woman in relation to an assault on a 10 year old child. This happened in Boots on Fore Street in Taunton on Tuesday 6 August [...]
Over 1,000 visitors so far on Taunton to West Somerset Railway shuttle service 20 August, 2019 - Over 1,000 visitors have travelled on the recently launched summer shuttle service from Taunton to West Somerset Railway. Chris Austin, chairman of the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust, who has been leading the Taunton shuttle [...] Allegations of gross misconduct proven against police officer 19 August, 2019 - PC Daniel Pierson was dismissed without notice on Friday 16 August following a hearing held at Police HQ. The panel, led by a legally-qualified independent chair, found that PC Pierson entered a knowingly false entry [...]
The Master Thatcher in Taunton ‘permanently closed’ 16 August, 2019 - The Master Thatcher in Taunton has today announced it is now ‘permanently closed’. The pub on Severn Drive announced the news on its Facebook page this morning: “It’s with a heavy heart that we have [...] Yellow weather warning for rain issued 15 August, 2019 - Yet another summer weather warning has been issued for our area by the Met Office. This warning is for heavy and persistent rain throughout Friday (16th Aug). The Met Office warn that heavy rain will [...] Witnesses sought following collision between car and motorbike in Taunton 14 August, 2019 - Avon and Somerset Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a road traffic collision in Taunton. The incident happened at the junction of Wordsworth Drive and Hamilton Road at approximately 16:05 yesterday (Tuesday [...] CCTV appeal after man headbutted outside Taunton pub 12 August, 2019 - Avon and Somerset Police are appealing for help to trace two people as part of their investigation into an assault. It happened in the smoking area outside the Plough Inn on Station Road in Taunton [...] Police community support officer stabbed with pair of scissors whilst detaining suspect 8 August, 2019 - A man from Taunton has been charged with a number of burglary and theft-related offences. Sam Reynolds, 35, of no fixed address in Taunton has been charged with three counts of non-dwelling burglary, actual bodily [...]
Yellow weather warning issued for Rain and Wind 7 August, 2019 - The Met Office have issued two yellow weather warnings for south-west UK for this Friday and Saturday (9th and 10th August). The warnings are for rain on Friday and wind on Saturday. An area of [...]
Romanian pair jailed after being caught stealing fuel from lorries in Taunton 7 August, 2019 - Ilie Dobrescu and Ion Stoian have each been sentenced to a total of 18 months in prison having been caught stealing fuel from two lorries in Taunton. In the early hours of Tuesday 9 July, [...] Taunton man charged with number of burglaries 5 August, 2019 - A man from Taunton has been charged with a number of burglaries. Anthony John Paisley, 46, of Lyngford Place in Taunton has been charged with two counts of dwelling burglary. Mr Paisley was arrested on [...]
£1.2 million invested in leisure facilities in Taunton and Wellington 5 August, 2019 - Sports and leisure operator, Everyone Active, has taken over the management of Somerset West and Taunton Council’s leisure facilities. The company has been awarded a contract by Somerset West and Taunton Council for 10 years [...] Sheds, fence and trees ‘well alight’ in Bishop’s Hull 4 August, 2019 - Two fire engines from Taunton were called to a shed on fire in Bishop’s Hull at 23:56 last night (Saturday). Upon arrival, fire crews confirmed that two sheds, one fence and trees were well alight [...]
Wiveliscombe’s Cotleigh Brewery turns 40 2 August, 2019 - 40 years ago this year, in 1979, Wiveliscombe’s Cotleigh Brewery started its brewing story in the stables at Cotleigh Farmhouse in Washfield, near Tiverton. Soon after, Cotleigh relocated to its current home in Wiveliscombe where [...] Fire in rear garden of flat in Taunton 2 August, 2019 - Two fire engines from Taunton were mobilised to a report of a fire in Middle Street in Taunton at 05:13 this morning (Friday). On arrival, crews confirmed a fire in the rear garden of a [...]
Tea, Cake, and Death: Death Cafe Taunton to meet on 31 August 1 August, 2019 - Following a successful and well-attended May meeting of Death Cafe Taunton, organisers are planning another, to be held on Saturday, 31 August, 2019, at the Creative Innovation Centre, Taunton, from 2 to 4 pm. [...]
South West miracle pets required 31 July, 2019 - Leading vet charity PDSA wants to hear from any miracle pets in the South West for its unique Pet Survivor awards, which have just opened for entries this year. Last year’s winner, Dexter the cat, [...] DOTS makes first visit to Taunton 31 July, 2019 - The multi-award winning charity Dogs on the Streets (DOTS) is working with SWT to support rough sleepers and the homeless community with dogs. The clinical director and the founder of DOTS were in Taunton on [...] Deck chairs back for the Summer Holidays 31 July, 2019 - Somerset West and Taunton Council is backing a joint project at Minehead beach as part of its commitment to coastal communities. SWT, the Minehead Coastal Community Team and the new tenant of the Jubilee Café [...]
Parents in Taunton join nationwide banner relay to demand urgent climate action 30 July, 2019 - On Tuesday 6th August 2019 at 5pm Parents in Taunton will be peacefully protesting on East Reach, Taunton– one of the most polluted roads in the town, where Nitrogen Dioxide levels are currently exceeding government [...] Shake up this summer and get active 30 July, 2019 - Families in Somerset are being encouraged to get active over the summer holidays – and reap the wide-ranging benefits. Evidence shows that children and young people who are more active have more confidence, higher self-esteem, [...]
Taunton’s Razorlight gig cancelled 29 July, 2019 - Taunton’s Razorlight gig, set to take place at the Racecourse on 17th August, has been cancelled. The gig was also due to feature The Happy Mondays and Sophie Ellis-Bexter. Organisers blame “unforeseen operational circumstances” and [...] Council backs Salvation Army social care report 29 July, 2019 - Somerset County Council is welcoming a new report from the Salvation Army highlighting the urgent need to reform social care. The study – Care in Places – shows that there is significantly less money to [...]
Yellow weather warning issued for rain and thunderstorms on Tuesday 29 July, 2019 - The Met Office have issued a yellow weather warning for Thunderstorms which bring the potential for flooding in places along with possible travel disruption. Gusty winds are also expected as an area of low pressure [...] Summer shuttle service from Taunton to West Somerset Railway starts tomorrow 26 July, 2019 - The new Saturdays-only Great Western Railway summer shuttle service trains start tomorrow (Saturday 27 July) and will then continue through August and into the autumn forming a timetabled link between the national rail network at [...]
Love Musgrove launches appeal to raise £100,000 for Maternity Unit 26 July, 2019 - Love Musgrove are launching a brand new Appeal to raise £100,000 for the Maternity Unit at Musgrove Park Hosptial. The official charity of Musgrove Park Hospital are calling on the Somerset Community and the huge [...]
Disused garage site to make way for social housing in Taunton 25 July, 2019 - Somerset West and Taunton Council is bringing forward a scheme to develop social housing on a disused garage site. The council-owned garages in Laxton Road will make way for eight new housing units for social [...]
Fly-tipped rubbish bag costs Taunton man £250 24 July, 2019 - Fly-tipping a single black sack of rubbish cost a Somerset man £250 and gave him a criminal record today. Adrian Foster, aged 44, of Eastwick Road, Taunton, pleaded guilty to fly-tipping at Taunton Magistrates Court [...] Beat the heat and stay safe 24 July, 2019 - With hot weather forecast this week Somerset County Council is asking people to keep an eye out for themselves, and vulnerable family and friends and neighbours. The Met Office predicts high temperatures, especially midweek, with [...]