Thursday 7th May

Thursday, 7 May 2026 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A disabled man has taken his case to the High Court, arguing that Somerset Council’s council tax reduction scheme is discriminatory. Bristol Airport says travellers planning summer holidays should not change their plans. Chard and Ilminster Amateur Boxing Club has launched a fundraising appeal,..and more

A disabled man has taken his case to the High Court, arguing that Somerset Council’s council tax reduction scheme is discriminatory. Andy Mitchell, from Taunton, previously paid no council tax while receiving disability benefits. However, this year he’s been asked to pay 90 percent of his bill, an annual charge of nearly £1,300. Somerset Council says a review of the scheme is now underway to ensure it is fit for purpose.

Voting is taking place across the UK today, in the biggest set of elections since Labour came to power in the 2024 General Election. However, in Somerset, apart from a by-election in Mendip, residents will have to wait until next year to vote. That’s because the current Somerset Council was only established in April 2023, with elections held every four years.

Bristol Airport says travellers planning summer holidays should not change their plans, despite concerns about a jet fuel shortage. While the price of jet fuel has risen by 120 percent, the airport insists neither it nor airlines are experiencing any supply issues.

Chard and Ilminster Amateur Boxing Club has launched a fundraising appeal, warning it faces an uncertain future due to rising costs. The club says it urgently needs financial support. So far, it has raised £1,000 in sponsorship and will hold a fundraising tyre flip event on Saturday, May 9th.

A road in Hardington Mandeville will be closed for three days next week. Pig Hill will shut from Wednesday, May 13th to Friday, May 15th, to allow Wessex Water to carry out essential works.

And finally, a 1961 Aston Martin DB4, originally donated by the late John Haynes, has been put back on display at the Haynes Motor Museum in Somerset after a full restoration.

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