Thursday 6th August

Thursday, 6 August 2026 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A local man and convicted former neo-Nazi, selected by the Conservatives to stand in Crewkerne South in next year’s local elections for a seat on Somerset Council, has pulled out after a backlash against his candidacy. A charity that runs children's homes in Somerset is terminating its contract early following a critical report by Ofsted...and more

A local man and convicted former neo-Nazi, selected by the Conservatives to stand in Crewkerne South in next year’s local elections for a seat on Somerset Council, has pulled out after a backlash against his candidacy. Joshua Bonehill-Paine was convicted of racially harassing Jewish former Labour MP Luciana Berger in 2016, while already serving a separate jail sentence for sharing antisemitic posts. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch had defended the decision to select him as a candidate, saying he had been rehabilitated and her party "believes in second chances". Mr Bonehill-Paine has confirmed that he won’t now stand in next year’s local elections and has been offered a position as an anti-extremism adviser to the Conservative party.

Resurfacing work is to be carried out on the A30 between East Chinnock and Haselbury Plucknett to make it safer for motorists. The road was resurfaced in May this year when the temperatures were above 30 celsius, causing the bitumen binder to melt and increase the skid risk for drivers. Somerset Council says the contractor, Kiely Brothers, has agreed to pay for the repair works, which will take place in early September.

People in Somerset have been given more time to comment on plans that will shape the county until 2045. The consultation on the draft Somerset Local Plan, which sets out a vision for housing, jobs, and infrastructure in the County over the next 20 years, has been extended to August 9th.

A Crewkerne man has been jailed for 10-years for multiple sexual offences. Richard Bennett, aged 66, of Bowhayes, in Crewkerne, was convicted of sexual activity with a child under-16 and the sexual assault of a woman when he appeared at Taunton Crown Court. Bennett was also put on the sex offenders register for the rest of his life.

A charity that runs children's homes in Somerset is terminating its contract following a critical report by Ofsted which led to one of its homes closing. Somerset Council signed a 10-year contract with Homes2Inspire, run by the Shaw Trust in 2022, but the contract will now end in 2027.

A new playground and sports area is being built at Manor Court Primary School in Chard during the summer break. An early-years learning centre at the rear of the school has been demolished to make way for the new playground and sports area.

More from News

Friday 21st August

Adam Dance MP has added his voice to those criticising this week’s Channel 4 documentary on ADHD. Visitors can now explore more of Ham Hill with a new off-road mobility scooter hiring scheme. Young people are being encouraged to join the Ilminster Carnival children’s procession... and more.
Thursday 20th August

Castle Cary railway station’s makeover has been officially unveiled. A new 18 million pound diagnostic centre in Bridgwater has opened. A Crewkerne teenager has been named ‘coach of the year’ for his work with Bristol City.... and more.
Wednesday 19th August

The fire service in Somerset has issued a plea for the public to take every precaution to prevent wildfires. Plans have been approved for Numatic International to install one-thousand solar panels on roof of their Chard factory. Somerset fast bowler, Jake Ball, has signed a new one-year contract that will keep him at the club for the 2027 season... and more
Tuesday 18th August

People across Somerset are banned from today from using hosepipes to water gardens, clean windows or cars, or fill swimming and paddling pools. More cases of the potentially deadly livestock disease Bluetongue have been confirmed in Somerset. Work is underway to improve disabled access at Holyrood Academy in Chard... and more
Monday 17th August

Wessex Water, who supplies almost all homes and businesses in Somerset, has introduced a hosepipe ban effective from midnight tonight. A sinkhole on Station Road in Castle Cary has been repaired, two years after it was first discovered. A Wildcat helicopter from RNAS Yeovilton has taken part in the annual passing-out parade at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth... and more
Friday 14th August

Police are investigating an incident in which obscene words were scratched onto the World War One memorial at Ham Hill. Yeovil MP Adam Dance has repeated his call for the upgrade of the town’s police station to include a custody suite. A Somerset carnival club is building a specially adapted float to allow a wheelchair user and her assistance dog to take part in this year’s carnival circuit...and more
Thursday 13th August

An Ilminster family is celebrating after winning one million pounds on the National Lottery. Police have released a picture of a man they want to speak to in connection with suspected frauds in Somerset. Somerset Council has opened a tendering process to find a main contractor for the £15 million upgrade of Yeovil’s Octagon theatre... and more
Wednesday 12th August

Experts say with good visibility forecast for this evening, people across Somerset should have some of the best views of the solar eclipse anywhere in the UK. A Somerset councillor is calling for the Stop Line cycle route between Chard and Ilminster to be better supported. It's 40-years ago this week since a Lynx helicopter built in Yeovil set a new World Helicopter Speed Record... and more