Tuesday 5th May

Tuesday, 5 May 2026 06:00

By Steve Haigh

An investigation has been launched following a suspected arson attack at Sherborne Police Station. Somerset Council is spending £2.3 million on 14 new road gritters. Ilminster Literary Festival is marking its tenth anniversary this year... and more

An investigation has been launched following a suspected arson attack at Sherborne Police Station. Police say a small fire was started outside the boiler room at the rear of the building at around 3:30am on Saturday, April 25th. Images of a man officers would like to identify are available on the Dorset Police website.

A man from Yeovil has been banned from driving for 12 months. Magistrates heard that when Ettore Formisano, of Hendford Hill, was stopped by police in Sparkford, he was driving a car on its wheel rims with no tyres fitted. The 43-year-old pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and was also ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

Somerset Council is spending £2.3 million on 14 new road gritters. The council currently operates a fleet of 23 gritters, with 10 nearing the end of their service life. The new gritters will help ensure roads across Somerset remain safe and passable in all weathers.

A road in Rimpton, near Sherborne, is shut to traffic today. The closure runs from Pitfield Corner to the junction with Sherborne Road and will remain in place until Friday, May 8th. Wessex Water is carrying out repair work.

Dates for this year’s local carnivals have been announced. Wincanton Carnival will take place on Friday, October 16th, followed by Castle Cary on Saturday, October 17th. Ilminster Carnival is on Saturday, October 3rd, and Chard on Saturday, October 10th. Shepton Mallet Carnival will be held on Wednesday, November 18th, Wells on Friday, November 20th, and Glastonbury on Saturday, November 21st.

Ilminster Literary Festival is marking its tenth anniversary this year. Speakers include Sir Jeremy Hunt, Alan Johnson and Johnny Ball. The festival runs from June 2nd to June 9th.

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Monday 21st September

Wessex Water's contacting large businesses, asking them to use less water. A ‘serious collision’ closed a stretch of the A30 in both directions yesterday afternoon.Two Somerset charities have benefitted from a combined £64,000, thanks to the Leonardo Rising Stars.
Friday 18th September

Three people from Yeovil have been sentenced after admitting offences linked to the theft and illegal supply of prescription-only medicines. An ancient burial site on the Quantocks has been damaged. Chard Guildhall is open for public viewing today... and more
Thursday 17th September

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18,000 shoplifting offences have been recorded in the Avon and Somerset Police area in the last financial year. A Chard man has been sentenced for assaulting a police officer. Forefront Community Centre in Chard is celebrating 20 years of bringing people together in the town... and more
Wednesday 16th September

A pilot with the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance says there will be 'catastrophic' consequences if laser pointers continue to be pointed at their aircraft. Plans to build forty new homes in the village of Curry Rivel have been given the go ahead. The owner of a ram called Rambo in Keinton Mandeville has thanked firefighters for rescuing him after he got stuck in a concrete pipe... and more
Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more