Jess Chaffey

A timber footbridge linking Goodlands Gardens and the Castle Grounds in Taunton has been repaired and repainted. The work included anti-slip coating, vegetation clearance, cleaning and treatment of rotten timber, and was completed by Triangle Ltd. Taunton Town Council approved £12,508 for repairs to two remaining bridges after a survey found them safe but in need of maintenance. Repairs to a steel footbridge over the sluices beside the River Tone are also planned, while proposals to rebuild the park’s removed main footbridge were abandoned after estimated costs reached about £500,000.

A Canal Court resident has criticised an undeveloped section of Taunton’s Firepool site as an eyesore and a potential health and safety hazard, citing dust, rubbish, unauthorised access and prolonged uncertainty over redevelopment. Somerset Council says Firepool remains a key regeneration site and that it is preparing to appoint a development partner while planning improvements to boundary fencing, site security and the removal or rationalisation of stored materials.

Former Taunton scout leader Matt Ellett, 32, was found guilty of 19 sexual assault offences following a trial involving four female complainants and one male complainant connected to scouting in Somerset. Prosecutors said he used his trusted position to groom and abuse children, while the defence disputed the allegations as gossip and lies. The Scout Association condemned the crimes, said Ellett had betrayed the trust of young people and parents, and confirmed that he was suspended in April 2021 and permanently excluded from the movement in January 2023. He remained in custody pending sentencing on October 5.

Police officers testified at an inquest that they regretted not arresting Richard Scatchard after the death of his partner Kelly Faiers, who died from a combination of alcohol and antihistamines in Minehead. Officers described Scatchard’s unusual behaviour and statements at the scene and said they felt uneasy but were advised not to arrest him at the time. Detective Sergeant Craig Thompson told the court that the officers would have been justified in arresting him despite their superior’s advice. The coroner has not yet issued conclusions as the inquest continues.

An independent investigation found inadequate maternity care ratings at Musgrove Park Hospital and Yeovil District Hospital, citing poor facilities, pressure on staff and families feeling unheard. MP Adam Dance called for lessons to be learned, praised frontline staff and urged rapid improvements, including government support. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust acknowledged the findings, apologised for negative experiences and committed to further improvements. Maternity services in Yeovil, temporarily closed in 2025, reopened in April 2026, with continued emphasis on ensuring safe and reliable care for families across Somerset.

A jury has retired at Taunton Crown Court to consider its verdict in the trial of former scout leader Matt Ellett, who denies 19 sexual-offence charges involving five children. Prosecutor Rupert Russell argued that Ellett’s trusted reputation enabled him to groom the children, while defense barrister Charley Pattison said the allegations grew from gossip, rumors and lies within the scouting community. The judge reviewed evidence from complainants and Ellett’s denial before the jury began deliberations.

Matt Ellett, a 32-year-old former Taunton scout leader, is on trial at Taunton Crown Court accused of sexually abusing four girls and one boy. Prosecutors allege he exploited his position of trust and committed multiple sexual offences, while Ellett denies the allegations and the defence argues the children's accounts were fabricated to support one another. The defence presented statements from ten character witnesses, and the judge gave legal directions to the jury before the trial continued.