Wednesday 2nd July

Wednesday, 2 July 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Business owners in Chard say ongoing roadworks in Fore Street are hurting their trade. A vehicle has been destroyed in a fire at a farm at Charlton Mackrell. A new recycling scheme has been launched to support Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. Castle Carey has created a Scarecrow Festival...and more

Business owners in Chard say that ongoing roadworks in Fore Street are having a negative impact on trade. Work completing repairs to the kerbing, which started on June 9th and was due to end this Friday, has been delayed due to a design fault. The owners of Jenny’s Café and Bistro and Chard Fish and Chips are amongst the traders who say they’re losing customers. Somerset Council says it’s committed to ensuring the disruption is minimised, but can’t give a date when Fore Street will return to normal.

A vehicle has been destroyed in a fire at a farm at Charlton Mackrell. The 4x4 was in a field of crops when it burst into flames. Crews from Somerton and Martock attended and used a water jet and breathing apparatus to extinguish the blaze. No one was hurt.

Reports of animal cruelty in Somerset rose by a third last year. Figures show the RSPCA investigated 550 cases of animal cruelty in Somerset between June and August 2024. It says the cost of living has been a contributing factor.

Castle Carey has created a Scarecrow Festival as part of its entry into the Britain in Bloom competition. Penny Steiner, who has led the project, has thanked the local people for their participation.

A new recycling scheme has been launched to support Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. The charity has partnered with Recycling Solutions to introduce new clothing banks across Somerset, including one located at Broadway Village Hall, near Ilminster. The aim is to raise funds for the air ambulance while keeping unwanted clothing and shoes out of landfill sites.

A painting of a red carrot by an artist called Steve has been named the overall winner of this year’s Open Exhibition at Ilminster Arts Centre. Victoria Garland’s ‘Pig Gone Wild’ and Sally Hebeler’s ‘Flight of Imagination’ were named joint runners-up. The open exhibition at Ilminster Arts Centre is on until Friday, July 18th.

More from News

Monday 14th July

Somerset Council is warning motorists against scanning QR codes at its car parks payment meters. Chard Town Council is spending £10,000 on short-term youth provision over the summer months. Former Yeovil Town player Marcus Stewart says he wants to continue raising money towards finding a cure for motor neurone disease...and more.
Friday 10th July

A Yeovil woman has shared how she is still on the waiting list for a transplant, a year on. A Crewkerne community group saved two tonnes of food from landfill last month and gave it to residents in need. Yeovil Town have announced their fixture list for the 2025/26 season....and more.
Thursday 10th July

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a yellow heat health alert for the South West. A former Cherry Farm in Chard has donated its netting and high-tensile wire to Somerset Aid for Ukraine. Somerset Council is moving forward with its next phase of plans for the county...and more.
Wednesday 9th July

Demolition work at Yeovil’s Glovers Walk has been held up after two colonies of bees were discovered. Refurbishment of the town’s Dunelm store is underway. A teenager from Crewkerne has represented his country, winning a gold medal in a national boxing competition... and more.
Tuesday 8th July

Adam Dance, MP has challenged the Government over a "failure to tackle rising levels of child poverty" in South Somerset. A man in Chard has been evicted from a property in the town. Temporary changes are being put in place at Yeovil Bus Station... and more
Monday 8th July

Avon & Somerset Police are appealing for witnesses after a collision between a car and a house in Stapleton. A Yeovil man has run 31 miles from Ham Hill to Lyme Regis for Yeovil's 'The Hub'. A family feast is coming to Chard as part of the Somerset Food Trail Festival...and more
Friday 4th July

Charity shops in Somerset report that they have received donations of dirty clothing and even soiled nappies. Plans have been submitted to build a further fifty new homes in Crewkerne. The National Audit Office says extra government funding to improve bus services, including in Somerset, has failed to deliver an increase in passenger numbers...and more
Thursday 3rd July

Dorset County Hospital is preparing to handle an increased number of births from now until the end of the year, following the closure of Yeovil Hospital's Maternity Unit. A number of former and current serving military personnel are pursuing the Ministry of Defence for compensation. Vandals have damaged a wooden shelter at the recreation ground in Ilminster...and more