Monday 8th September

Monday, 8 September 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Farmers in Somerset will be driving their tractors to protest at Labour’s annual Party Conference in Liverpool later this month. A Somerset animal rescue centre says it’s dealing with a surge in the number of large dog breeds being surrendered or rehomed. The George Inn in Ilminster has announced that it will be reopening to customers on Monday, September 15th...and more

Farmers in Somerset will be driving their tractors to Labour’s annual Party Conference in Liverpool later this month to protest about the government’s planned changes to inheritance tax. The demonstration, organised by Farmers to Action, will see farmers from all around the UK converge on Labour’s conference, which starts in Liverpool on September 28th. They want the government to scrap the inheritance tax changes that will impose a 20% tax on inherited agricultural assets worth more than £1 million from April next year.

A Somerset animal rescue centre says it’s dealing with a surge in the number of large dog breeds being surrendered or rehomed. Happy Landings Animal Rescue in Shepton Mallet says 200 big dogs, including bully breeds and German Shepherds, have been brought to it so far this year. A spokesperson blames the increase on owners not being prepared to give the training, exercise, and care that big dogs need.

A breast cancer charity is starting new monthly help sessions in Yeovil. Breast Cancer Now holds its first “Living with Secondary Breast Cancer” session on Tuesday, September 16th at the Westlands Entertainment venue.

Heritage train rides will soon start running out of Shillingstone station in North Dorset. It follows the completion of work to re-lay the track and sidings that were once part of the Somerset and Dorset line. The North Dorset Railway group says steam and diesel rides will run along 780 meters of track, passing over the Lamb House Bridge, before returning to the station platform.

The Ilminster and District Lions Club has thanked the people who donated items to send to Ukraine. Since the start of the war with Russia, Ilminster Lions has sent 31 boxes of personal care products, baby clothes and medical supplies to the people of Ukraine.

Drivers are again using Junction 26 on the M5 in Somerset. The junction was shut in June for the Chelston Link road to be resurfaced.

The George Inn in Ilminster has announced that it will reopen to customers on Monday, September 15th.

More from News

Friday 19th September

An inquest has been told that gaps were left in the medical assessment of a local man who died after falling out of bed at Yeovil Hospital. NHS Somerset says a new dental practice in Wellington will be accepting NHS patients from October. Somerset Council is offering grants of up to £15,000 to businesses, aimed at reducing their carbon footprint...and more.
Thursday 18th September

Police are appealing for witnesses to a road accident in Chard in which a 13-year-old boy fell from an e-scooter. People in Somerset are being asked for their views on building a second reservoir in Cheddar. A new exhibition celebrating 200 years of shoemaking in Somerset opens in Street today...and more.
Wednesday 17th September

The Environment Agency is being urged to rethink its decision to stop maintaining smaller rivers and streams in Somerset. South Western Railway, which runs trains through Sherborne, Yeovil and Crewkerne, has issued body cameras to more of its staff. Twelve new neighbourhood officers have joined Avon and Somerset Police...and more
Tuesday 17th September

Plans have been submitted to build 61 new homes between Montacute and Stoke-sub-Hamdon. Organisers of Langport Triathlon say it’ll be a few more days before they’re able to give out the results in the cycling section following a medical emergency in the crowd at Sunday's event. A new town crier is wanted in Wells...and more.
Monday 15th September

NHS Somerset says it’s 'fully committed' to re-opening maternity services at Yeovil Hospital, but won't say when it will reopen. Water levels at Somerset's reservoirs have dropped below 50%, despite the recent heavy rain. A charity shop in Martock has reunited a long-lost compass with its owner after he lost it 70 years ago...and more
Friday 12th September

One of Somerset's most prominent horse trainers says planned tax increases on remote betting could be a ‘nail in the coffin’ for horse racing. An Ilchester man has been arrested in connection with a burglary in West Dorset. Somerset Council’s Chief Executive and other senior officers have been given a 3.2% pay rise...and more
Thursday 11th September

A bill put forward by Yeovil MP Adam Dance, calling for better awareness of pupil neurodivergent behaviour in schools, has passed its first reading in the Commons. Around 40 thousand people in Somerset could have undiagnosed high blood pressure. Dozens of bikers will take to the roads in Somerset this weekend in support of a breast cancer charity...and more
Wednesday 10th September

Yeovil Town Football Club has been given a two-year extension to buy back Huish Park from Somerset Council. A takeaway business in Bridgwater has been stripped of its licence after three employees were discovered working there illegally. A company in South Chard has been celebrating its 200th anniversary...and more