Monday 5th October

Monday, 5 October 2026 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Ilminster is gearing up for a Royal visit by Prince William tomorrow. Plans have been approved to convert the former Battens Solicitors building on Princes Street in Yeovil into 21 flats. A 'Just Giving' page has opened for making donations towards Ilminster Carnival which, on Saturday, had to be cancelled midway through due to a gas leak...and more

Ilminster is gearing up for a Royal visit by Prince William tomorrow. The prince will officially launch Ready Together, a project led by the National Emergencies Trust, providing communities with practical guidance on how to prepare for and respond to emergencies. William, who is patron of the trust, will join volunteers in a training exercise featuring a range of emergency scenarios designed to test community preparedness.

Plans have been approved to convert the former Battens Solicitors building on Princes Street in Yeovil into 21 flats. The permission relates only to the former office building used by Battens and not the adjoining Grade II-listed Mansion House and Magnolia House buildings.

A 'Just Giving' page has opened for making donations towards Ilminster Carnival which, on Saturday, had to be cancelled midway through due to a gas leak. Organisers say they’ve been left with costs of thousands of pounds to pay without having the proceeds from a bucket collection along the route.

A campaign has been launched in Langport to remind drivers of the 20 mile per hour speed limit along Langport's Bow Street and Cheapside. Businesses have been asked to promote the ‘20 is Plenty’ message by displaying posters in shop and office windows.

The go-ahead has been given to introduce major improvements at Somerton recreation ground. A new pavilion, with changing rooms, gym, and café, will be built on the seventeen-acre site. The existing sports club will be demolished, and the tennis club and courts will be moved to make room for more parking.

More from News

Tuesday 6th October

Prince William is visiting Ilminster today, where he will launch ‘Ready Together’, a new initiative helping communities prepare for emergencies. Barwick and Stoford Primary School near Yeovil says it's confident of emerging stronger after being placed in special measures by Ofsted. Vapes and weight-loss jabs are putting workers at recycling centres in Somerset at risk after being wrongly thrown away...and more
Friday 2nd October

An investigation's underway after two people died in a collision near Taunton. A Somerset-based charity has warned of the risks of fuel poverty this winter. A Somerset healthcare service has been recognised with a national award.... and more.
Thursday 1st October

765 new homes have been given planning permission on the edge of Yeovil. Somerset Council’s Executive will meet to consider new parking charges. Four of the county’s best military cadets have been appointed as Lord-Lieutenant cadets... and more.
Wednesday 30th September

Police are appealing for a missing 17 year old from Castle Cary. A registered sex offender has been sentenced to 9 years in prison. A former Chard student who is one of six writers in the running to win this year's Booker Prize has paid tribute to his childhood teachers... and more.
Tuesday 29th September

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service say this summer saw record-breaking levels of demand. The charity that runs the Brewhouse Theatre has confirmed that it will definitely close. A Chard charity has launched a minibus service to improve community transport... and more.
Monday 28th September

Somerset Community Foundation says it has awarded more than £40 million in grants across the county. The family of a Somerset girl say they used AI to help diagnose her genetic condition. A property in Monks Dale, Yeovil is subject to a three month Closure Order... and more.
Friday 25th September

’20 Is Plenty’ is the message to drivers travelling through Langport. Chard’s Numatic manufacturing hub is marking 45 years of business with an investment of £85m into the company. Wessex Water tell us the hosepipe ban will remain across the region... and more.
Thursday 24th September

Somerset Council has approved a multi-million pound scheme to tackle flooding in the county. A person had to be transferred to hospital after an incident in Chard. A North Curry travellers’ site must be vacated by Christmas... and more.