Alex Parnham-Cope

A decade-long restoration of the River Aller at the National Trust’s Holnicote Estate on Exmoor has helped wetlands, wildlife and livestock withstand prolonged drought in Somerset. Reconnected floodplains, natural channels and around 25 beavers retain water, support species and grazing animals, and reduce downstream flood risk. The National Trust says the project demonstrates the value of nature-based climate adaptation and is urging the UK Government to invest more heavily in similar schemes.

An unauthorised encampment at Whitegates in Wembdon, near Bridgwater, left around 18 tonnes of rubbish, human waste, environmental damage and damaged infrastructure after caravans and vehicles departed. Bridgwater Town Council spent several days on waste removal, biohazard clearance and repairs, while Somerset Council pursued its legal enforcement process. The town council has installed concrete posts and blocks to restrict access, with the total clean-up cost still being assessed.

Margaret Irish, from North Petherton, became unwell with what she described as sunstroke while queuing for ice creams at Taunton Flower Show in Vivary Park. A woman found her a seat and water, while a man in the queue collected and paid for ice creams for Irish and her husband. Irish publicly thanked both strangers. The annual show, founded in 1831, attracted more than 15,000 visitors.

Ofsted rated Windwhistle Primary School in Weston-super-Mare as requiring improvement after finding that disruption in leadership and staffing had harmed pupils’ learning and outcomes. Only 31% of pupils achieved the expected combined standard in reading, writing and mathematics over the latest three-year period, compared with 61% nationally, while absence and persistent absence were also well above average. New leaders have begun stabilising the school, improving behaviour, attendance and academic performance, and early years provision was judged to be at the expected standard. Safeguarding was effective, but inspectors said achievement, teaching, inclusion, leadership, attendance, behaviour and pupils’ wider development still needed attention.

Avon and Somerset Police are appealing for information to locate 15-year-old Masie, who was last seen at about 11:30 p.m. on August 13 at a Tesco supermarket in Taunton. She is described as white, approximately 5ft 7ins tall, with medium-length dark hair, and was wearing a black fur jacket, black dress and trainers while carrying a white cross-body bag. She has links to Bristol, Cheltenham and Birmingham. Anyone who sees her is asked to call 999 and quote reference 5226228545; other information can be provided via 101.

Dairy farmer Victoria Lee rode her Swiss cow, White Chocolate Button, into Holy Cross Church in Mark near Burnham for her wedding to Mike Lee. The cow wore a flower crown and had been familiarized with being ridden beforehand. Lee, who has ridden cows since childhood, also milked the herd before the ceremony and returned to the farm afterward, highlighting the challenge of combining dairy farming with wedding preparations. She said the unusual celebration was intended to make people smile during a difficult period for farmers.

Petruth Paddocks near Cheddar has been ranked eighth among the UK's top 10 camping locations in an Isuzu survey of 2,000 adults, making it the only Somerset site on the list. Owner Jules Sayer attributes the family-run campsite's popularity to clean toilets and showers, a welcoming atmosphere, Wi-Fi-free outdoor play and attractions including the converted double-decker bus cocktail bar The Crown Jules. The site employs up to 61 people during peak season and expects to welcome about 25,000 visitors in 2026.

An illuminated Woolworths sign from the former Crewkerne store will be auctioned by Charterhouse Auctioneers in Sherborne. The store operated from 1957 until its closure in 2009, after which its signage was removed and kept in attic storage. The letters resurfaced during a 2024 Home Fayre closing-down sale and were later valued at an estimated £300 to £500. The auction gives local collectors and former Woolworths customers an opportunity to acquire a piece of Crewkerne retail history.

Tim Beer, a Somerset local history enthusiast, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to reproduce cast-iron posts that marked the Somerset-Dorset county boundary in 1909. Most of the original markers have disappeared, been damaged or become obsolete after boundary changes. Beer plans to use a surviving complete post as a model for replicas costing about £450 plus VAT each, with the aim of reinstalling them at historic sites including a bridge near Winsham.

Rats were reportedly seen in the smoking area and garden of Wetherspoons' Carnival Inn in Bridgwater. Wetherspoons said specialist contractors identified a pest issue linked to overgrown vegetation on neighboring land and that urgent action was being taken in coordination with the council and local landowners. Somerset Council said it had received no public complaints and advised concerned customers to report the issue to its environmental health team.

Station Road in Castle Cary has reopened after an engineering project that began when a hole appeared in the carriageway. Investigations uncovered a restricted watercourse, a culvert and nearby utility services beneath the road, requiring excavation, piling and redesigned temporary works. Somerset Council and contractor Kier said the repair was adapted to the conditions discovered and is intended to provide a safe, durable solution, while the council apologised for the extended disruption.

Yeovil Liberal Democrat MP Adam Dance is calling for a national review of rail discounts and broader fare reductions for adults over 30, arguing that people lose access to youth discounts at 31 without qualifying for other railcards. He says Somerset passengers are disadvantaged because the Network Railcard is unavailable or limited for journeys to destinations including Bristol, Swindon and Exeter. The Department for Transport points to changes extending the 16-17 Saver Railcard, a freeze in regulated fares and plans for simpler fares through Great British Railways, but Dance argues that more comprehensive national action is needed.

Avon and Somerset Police are appealing for information about Zachery, a 31-year-old man from Cheddar who has not been seen or heard from since a telephone call on July 19. He is described as white, slim, with thinning blonde hair, and often having a goatee and moustache. Anyone who knows where he is is asked to call 999, quoting reference 5226219360, or call 101 with other information.

A local window cleaner, Andy Bragg, helped prevent roadside fires near Buckland St Mary from spreading into woodland by using approximately 200 litres of water from his vehicle. Bragg, a former reserve firefighter, stopped with a colleague after seeing smoke and flames. Crews from Ilminster, Chard and Yeovil, supported by a water bowser and a farmer with a slurry spreader, extinguished two fires and dampened hotspots. Chard Fire Station publicly thanked the unidentified helper before learning his identity.

Misfits Carnival Club is building a specially adapted carnival cart so wheelchair user Chloe Hammond and her assistance dog, Ocho, can participate safely in Somerset carnivals. The design includes accessible entry and an emergency-stop button within Chloe’s reach. The club has permission for Bridgwater Carnival and is seeking approval for the South Somerset circuit, while calling for volunteers with practical skills to help complete and certify the cart before the autumn season. Organizers say the project could be a first for Somerset and may encourage wider inclusion of disabled people in future carnivals.

Transport co-operative Go-op has unveiled proposals for greener rail and bus services linking Somerset, Bristol and potentially Swindon. Working with Ecotricity and Green Britain Group, it is considering battery-powered trains, electric bus connections, renewable-energy generation and charging hubs. The initial focus would be services from Taunton to Westbury and along the Somerset coast to Bristol, requiring a new application for track access. Go-op is seeking public-sector partners and government support, while citing investment uncertainty, local-government reform and the proposed Railways Bill as obstacles.

Glyn Razzell, convicted of murdering his estranged wife Linda Razzell in 2003, was photographed leaving the Royal Courts of Justice during a Ministry of Justice challenge to the Parole Board's decision to release him on licence. Linda's body has never been found, and Razzell continues to deny responsibility. The Ministry of Justice argues that the Parole Board failed to assess his risk properly, while Razzell opposed the challenge. Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said she would issue a ruling within weeks.

A 22-carat gold Cadbury Creme Egg prize called “Cuckoo Cuckoo,” found by Clive Pinder at Cricket St Thomas in Somerset during Cadbury’s 1983 Conundrum treasure hunt, sold for £123,500 at Batemans Auctioneers & Valuers on August 1. The sale was six times its estimate and set a new auction-house and reported world record for a Conundrum egg. The egg, made by Garrard & Co, was sold with its original boxes, parchment, and treasure-hunt book; Pinder had previously sold it for £6,500 in 2018.

Eight Lounges cafés in Somerset and Bath are offering children a free bowl of Corn Flakes, Bran Flakes or Rice Krispies during the school summer holidays. The Little Loungers Breakfast Club, run by Loungers in partnership with Kellogg’s and distributed by Bidfood, requires neither a voucher nor an additional purchase. The scheme is intended to help families manage food costs, with more than 200 participating cafés across England and Wales.

Wells has fallen from first to sixth place in the South West food hygiene rankings after its average rating dropped from 4.82 to 4.66. The rankings, compiled by High Speed Training using Food Standards Agency data, placed Poole first at 4.83 and Bath last at 4.44. The South West remained the highest-rated UK region, with 92% of food businesses receiving ratings of four or five, although takeaways and sandwich shops performed less well. High Speed Training urged businesses and customers to take food safety ratings seriously.

Cancer Research UK will close its Taunton shop on North Street in early October 2026 and its Yeovil shop on Middle Street at the end of November. The closures are part of a nationwide plan to shut around 190 stores by April 2027 because of rising costs, inflation, reduced footfall, higher national insurance contributions and competition from online resale platforms. The charity plans to retain about 320 high-performing high-street shops and open 12 out-of-town superstores, while both Somerset stores continue accepting donations before closing.

Seventy-four-year-old David Painter suffered a cardiac arrest shortly after starting the Thoulstone Parkrun near Westbury. Off-duty police officer Vicky Howick recognised his agonal breathing, began CPR and used the event's defibrillator until emergency crews arrived. Fellow officer Nick Slade supported Painter's wife and took her to Bristol Royal Infirmary. Painter spent about a month in hospital, underwent heart surgery and now has a cardioverter defibrillator; he has been advised not to drive or run for six months. Both officers received commendations, and the local Parkrun organised first-aid training for 50 runners.

Somerset farmer Chris Cottrell filmed a waterspout over the Bristol Channel while working at Doniford Farm Park in Watchet. Initially mistaking it for a boat on fire, he watched the narrow column of rotating air and water rise from the sea into the clouds. The report explains that waterspouts form over warm water during unstable, showery conditions.

Thirty ultra-energy-efficient affordable homes have been completed at the former Flax Mill brownfield site in South Petherton. Delivered by Stonewater in partnership with Somerset Council and other organisations, the homes include one- to four-bedroom properties for affordable rent and use Passivhaus features such as enhanced insulation, airtight construction, heat-recovery ventilation and roof-mounted solar panels. The development also includes communal green spaces, biodiverse planting, a community garden and public art, with stakeholders saying it will help meet local housing need while reducing residents’ energy bills.

Six young white-tailed eagles have been released on Exmoor as part of a conservation programme restoring a species that disappeared from southern England more than 200 years ago. The project, led by Forestry England and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, builds on releases from the Isle of Wight and aims to release up to 20 more birds on Exmoor over the next three years. The eagles are expected to roam widely before returning to breed, while conservationists say their presence will benefit biodiversity and restore an important part of the region’s natural heritage.

Nurse Rachel George was struck off the Nursing and Midwifery Council register after a misconduct panel found that she repeatedly breached interim practice conditions while working agency shifts at Ferns Nursing Home in Yeovil between February and May 2020. She allegedly worked as a nurse in charge and administered medication without the required supervision, while failing to disclose the full restrictions to her employer. The panel found her conduct dishonest, judged it a serious breach of the NMC Code that put vulnerable residents at risk, and imposed a striking-off order along with an 18-month interim suspension covering the appeal period.

Lou Ryan says her Ford Ranger Wildtrak was stolen from outside her home in Wellington, leaving her struggling as a single mother and flooring-business owner. She claims Avon and Somerset Police filed the case on the day it was reported because there was insufficient evidence, forcing her to seek CCTV footage herself and deal with a fraudulent vehicle-recovery company. Police say there were no viable lines of enquiry but will review new information, while confirming that Ryan's formal complaint is being assessed. Home Office figures show that only about 2.4% of 3,167 vehicle theft reports in the force area resulted in a charge last year.

A female pine marten and four kits have been recorded on camera in Exmoor, confirming that the species reintroduced to the area is breeding. Nineteen pine martens were released on Exmoor and 15 on Dartmoor as part of the Two Moors Pine Marten Project. Conservationists describe the breeding evidence as a major but fragile milestone, noting ongoing threats including road collisions and poisoning. Residents in Somerset, Devon and Cornwall are being asked to report sightings to help monitor the recovering population.

The RSPCA’s West Hatch Wildlife Centre near Taunton is treating baby hedgehogs and other animals suffering from heatstroke during the UK’s fourth heatwave of the year. Wildlife centres are reportedly at full capacity, with 316 hedgehogs admitted to four RSPCA centres in June, a 56% rise from the previous year, while veterinary clinics recorded a 66% increase in suspected heatstroke cases over two years. The RSPCA advises the public to provide clean, cool water and shaded areas, and to contact its helpline when wild animals appear weak, disorientated or otherwise distressed.

David and Emma Webber, whose 19-year-old son Barnaby was killed in the June 2023 Nottingham attacks, met Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey and their local MP Gideon Amos to press for accountability over alleged systemic failures. The NHS trust that treated attacker Valdo Calocane is being investigated by police for corporate manslaughter. A statutory public inquiry, which heard from 164 witnesses, concluded in June, with findings and recommendations expected next year. The Webbers say they are seeking action across party lines, while Amos pledged continued support and efforts to hold responsible agencies accountable.

Frome Town Council ranger Laura O’Brien encountered an unusually approachable kingfisher while watering flowers near the river in Frome town centre. Concerned it might be injured, she held out her hand, and the bird perched on her finger for about ten minutes before returning to the river. The experience increased her appreciation for the wildlife in the area.

Kristine Richards, a 61-year-old woman from Wellington, Somerset, says her chihuahua Flag repeatedly pawed at her armpit in 2018, prompting her to seek medical attention. Doctors diagnosed her with aggressive hormone-sensitive lobular breast cancer that had spread to her lymph nodes. After surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and drug therapy—with chemotherapy ended early because of severe side effects—Richards went into remission. She says Flag stopped pawing at her after treatment began and later became a trained assistance dog. Richards and Flag now support Breast Cancer Now’s Wear It Pink fundraising and awareness campaign.

Students from Somerset and across the South West who are starting university or residential further education this autumn are being urged to obtain the Meningitis B vaccine before leaving home. Eligible 17- and 18-year-olds and first-time university or residential-education entrants under 25 can access vaccinations through local pharmacies, with two doses required at least 28 days apart. Health officials say first-year university students face about seven times the risk of Meningitis B compared with peers who remain at home, while increased case clusters have been reported in Dorset and Kent. They advise eligible students to book promptly so both doses are completed before term begins.

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has not conducted a live evacuation exercise in either of its emergency departments since 2000, according to data released under a Freedom of Information request. NHS guidance recommends emergency exercises at least every three years, although they can take place across hospital sites and do not have to involve emergency departments specifically. The trust says it conducts desktop simulations, staff training and live evacuation exercises in other parts of its hospitals. Its Yeovil Hospital emergency department was evacuated for about 30 minutes on May 27 after an electrical problem triggered fire alarms, with 25 staff members present and services soon restored.

Langport Road in Somerton is scheduled to close between Bartletts Row and West End from Monday, August 10, to Friday, August 14, while Wales & West Utilities connects homes and businesses to the mains gas network. Vehicle access to properties will be maintained, and residents are advised to contact the company with questions. The utility also reminds residents to call the National Gas Emergency number immediately if they smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide.

Heather and Paul have fostered more than 200 children, young people and parents over 25 years through short-term, long-term and specialist parent-and-child placements. They say ordinary family routines, strong professional support and connections with other foster carers help children feel safe and enable families to progress. Somerset Council reports that more than 650 children across the county need foster care, particularly older children and teenagers, and is encouraging more people to become full-time foster carers.

Mells Café in Frome is set to reopen on August 12 under the management of local entrepreneur Lauren Bradley, whose mobile food business How We Roll is expanding into its first permanent premises. The café will serve coffee from Frome-based Loud Mouth Coffee, freshly prepared sandwiches using local ingredients, and breakfast baps. It will open Wednesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., targeting local residents, walkers, cyclists and visitors to the Somerset countryside.

The West Somerset Railway Association is progressing with the restoration of its 102-year-old Great Western Railway Small Prairie tank engine No. 4561, targeting a return to service in spring 2028. A new throatplate costing £19,875 plus VAT has been manufactured at the South Devon Railway and will support the main boiler reconstruction by Riley & Son. Volunteers are also building new water tanks at Minehead and carrying out mechanical work at Williton, using original engineering drawings. The locomotive was rescued from scrapyard condition and returned to Minehead in 1989.

Black Moon Tattoos in Frome is organizing a flash tattoo day on August 2 to raise money for apprentice and local artist Tom “TK” Keegan, who has been diagnosed with testicular cancer and must undergo at least nine weeks of intensive chemotherapy. Keegan is unable to work during treatment and has a young family to support. Studio owner Jo Black said all proceeds from tattoos using Keegan’s designs will go to his fundraising page; the online appeal had already raised £558 within its first 24 hours. The studio is also planning a raffle and a local pub gig.

Former Taunton railwayman Clive Goddard, aged 92, returned to the station where he began work in 1949 to open a new sensory garden. Taunton Mayor Bev Fernandes formally opened the insect-friendly floral area, while Goddard unveiled a recycled-material model locomotive named “King Charles III 6030” and a heritage “Taunton Castle” nameplate. The event also recognized his decades of volunteering at Taunton and Bishops Lydeard stations and coincided with the West Somerset Railway’s 50th anniversary.

Bedrock Furniture owners in Bridgwater said a Somerset Council-marked van reversed into and damaged their bespoke metal sign on Bath Road on June 30. The council initially said the vehicle was operated by an unspecified contractor and directed the owners to a paid insurance-information service. After the business sought help on social media, the contractor was identified as Volker Highways, which agreed to cover the £363.80 replacement cost. Somerset Council confirmed that Volker Highways had contacted the business but declined further comment while the matter was being resolved.

Frome resident Kevin Ross survived a sudden cardiac arrest during a football match after teammates used a nearby defibrillator. He was later diagnosed with dangerously high cholesterol and a chronic blockage despite believing he was fit and healthy. Ross and Somerset Council are urging eligible residents aged 40 to 74 to take free NHS Health Checks, which can identify risks linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.

A distinctive green 1973 Austin Mini pick-up, valuable tools and photographic equipment were stolen during a series of break-ins at four units on Crowne Trading Estate in Shepton Mallet. Avon and Somerset Police are seeking witnesses, CCTV or dashcam footage, and information about the vehicle’s whereabouts. They say the burglaries are not believed to have been targeted.

Sampford Moor Road in Sampford Arundel, near Wellington, is closed 24 hours a day from 8am on Monday, July 27, until 4pm on Friday, July 31. Neom Engineering Ltd is repairing a collapsed wall on behalf of Somerset Council. Temporary traffic signals and diversions are in place between Court Moors Lane and Breach Hill, and motorists are advised to plan alternative routes.

Median pay in Somerset reportedly rose 5.5% year on year to £2,516 a month, outpacing annual inflation of 2.97% and leaving workers £101 a month better off in real terms than in February 2022. The county's total pay bill increased 4.8%, while payrolled employment fell slightly by 0.1% to 245,938 workers. An employment analyst described the figures as early signs that pay is beginning to recover after several years of household financial pressure, although the improvement remains fragile.

Ilminster-based photonics manufacturer Gooch & Housego has agreed to a £345.6 million takeover by Greenlight Bidco Limited, a vehicle indirectly owned by US private equity firm Arlington Capital Partners VII. The company makes precision optical equipment for aerospace, defence, industrial and life sciences customers, and its shares rose 39% after the offer was announced. The acquisition requires UK national security approval and US merger clearance because of Gooch & Housego’s role in sensitive supply chains. Arlington has said it does not plan to move the company’s headquarters or change its operational role in Somerset.

Somerset residents are being urged not to place loose batteries, vapes or electrical items in general waste bins after eight fires were recorded at waste depots and collection vehicles since January 2026. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service says damaged lithium-ion batteries can ignite, spread rapidly and endanger crews and facilities. Residents are advised to use designated battery and vape recycling points, kerbside collection options and local recycling centres for hazardous or unwanted electrical items.

Ukrainian piano teacher Marina Kalachova rebuilt her life in Taunton after fleeing Russia’s invasion in 2022 through the Homes for Ukraine scheme. With support from her host family, friends, churches and local organizations, she developed a piano-teaching business serving more than 30 students and recently held her largest student concert. A fundraiser helped replace her broken piano with a Yamaha instrument. Despite establishing a new home in Somerset, Marina remains affected by the war: her son is serving on the Ukrainian front, while her hometown and family properties are under Russian occupation. She plans to improve her English, learn the organ and take part in more local music projects.

Gideon Amos criticizes the planned appearance of Britain First leader Paul Golding at an anti-immigration protest in Taunton, emphasizing the positive contributions of immigrants to the community and rejecting attempts to sow division. The protest’s organizers claim to oppose racism and have coordinated with police, while local authorities affirm the right to peaceful assembly. Police preparations are underway in anticipation of both protest and counter‑protest activity.

The British Heart Foundation plans to close about 150 shops across the UK, including its Minehead location, following a review that found some stores no longer financially sustainable due to rising costs and changing customer habits. Around 90 stores are expected to close by March 2027, with the remainder by March 2028, along with reductions to central retail-support teams. The charity states its financial position remains strong and that the restructuring aims to protect long-term funding for cardiovascular research. A full list of affected locations will be published later in the year.

Planning permission was granted to convert the long‑closed White Hart Inn in Corfe into three homes after years of rejected proposals. The approved plan removes previous new‑build elements and reuses existing structures, addressing concerns about overdevelopment. Local councillors and residents opposed the conversion, arguing the pub had been poorly marketed and could still be viable, while the council concluded that extensive financial evidence showed long‑term unprofitability. The site has been vacant since 2020, suffered deterioration, and failed to sell at auction. The approved scheme meets residential standards and is expected to generate around £64,000 in Community Infrastructure Levy funds.

A visit to Tropiquaria Zoo near Watchet highlights its unusual setting inside a former 1930s BBC radio transmitting station and its diverse range of animals, from otters and rheas to reptiles and wallabies. The piece describes animal behaviour during hot weather and emphasises the dedication and expertise of the zoo’s keepers, who manage rescued species and share insights into conservation challenges. The zoo is presented as a distinctive and well‑cared‑for wildlife attraction in Somerset.

A year of Taunton’s Acoustic Music Club was celebrated with a diverse evening of performances at CICCIC, featuring blues, folk, harp‑and‑accordion instrumentals, 80s pop covers, contemporary rock, country harmonies and sea shanties. Musicians of varying ages and experience were showcased in a supportive community environment, underscoring the club’s growing success and its value as a creative platform. The club will resume events in September after a summer break.

Freedom Leisure has assumed operation of five major leisure centres in eastern Somerset under a two‑year interim agreement following the financial collapse of previous operator Fusion Lifestyle. Somerset Council states that services will continue without changes to pricing or memberships, with an emphasis on stability, safety, and uninterrupted access for residents. Council leaders highlighted efforts to support staff and maintain standards during the transition, while longer‑term plans for the centres are developed. The new operator, a not‑for‑profit trust, plans to work closely with the council and gather user feedback as future investment and service strategies are considered.

A rewilding programme in Somerset and Devon is seeing early success as captive‑bred turtle doves released in 2025 have returned to all three release sites after migration to Africa. The species, one of Britain’s most endangered birds, has been observed nesting and raising young at the Cannwood Estate and other monitored areas. The project includes ongoing monitoring, planned reinforcement releases through 2027, and the use of satellite tags to track migration. Conservationists aim to reestablish a self‑sustaining turtle dove population in western Britain within three years.

Performance data shows Somerset Council’s planning department has missed targets in several categories, with declines in timely decisions for minor and other applications and rising enforcement caseloads. Conservative councillors argue the figures demonstrate worsening performance and call for clearer improvement plans. The council maintains that overall performance remains stable, major applications are being handled efficiently and targeted actions are underway to address regional inconsistencies and increasing demand.

Emergency repairs to a collapsed sewer beneath the A38 south of Bradford-on-Tone are expected to cause delays between Taunton and Wellington for more than a week. Temporary two-way traffic lights will operate from July 30 to August 8, while the Bradford Road and Silver Street junctions will be closed to through traffic. Local access will remain available, and motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and follow diversion signs.