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News, views, pictures and more from the Somerset County Gazette. A Newsquest brand

28/07/2024

Over 70 traders will have stalls set up there.

The Artisan Village is set to return to Taunton Flower Show this year after a successful debut in 2023.

28/07/2024

One road was far more expensive than the rest! 🤯

Yeovil's most expensive streets, and least, have been revealed by an analysis of sold house price data over the past five years. Topping the list…

28/07/2024

Clubs and societies are invited to join the competition

Gardening clubs and societies are invited to submit their entries for this year’s Taunton Flower Show competition.

28/07/2024

A classic five-bedroom property for sale in a prime elevated position in Minehead

This classic five-bedroom detached family house occupies a prime elevated position within a sought-after residential area of Minehead.

28/07/2024

Just in case you missed out on the band at Glastonbury!

Just in case you missed out on Coldplay at Glastonbury, a popular tribute show is coming to Taunton this summer

28/07/2024

The cookery writer and presenter was in Somerset for the launch of Kettlewell's new collection.

Who knew that Somerset fashion house, Kettlewell dressed chef and TV personality, Dame Prue Leith? We meet Prue in Cricket St Thomas to talk all…

28/07/2024

A handsome Georgian residence on the edge of Taunton's town centre

This handsome, double-fronted Georgian house occupies a premium position on the edge of Taunton's town centre.

28/07/2024

Now's your chance to enter!

Taunton Flower Show is still inviting competition entries ahead of this year's edition on August 2 and 3.

28/07/2024

They are recruiting now! 🛒

Stores in Somerset where Aldi is looking to hire include Bridgwater, Clevedon, and Taunton.

28/07/2024

Sounds like a brilliant night with a very skilled group of singers.

Our reviewer enjoys ‘a lovely evening of excellent, varied music’ thanks to the Minehead Male Voice Choir.

28/07/2024

Have you watched A Good Girl's Guide to Murder? If so, what did you think?

Review of new BBC series A Good Girl's Guide to Murder - filmed near Cheddar, in Somerset.

27/07/2024

Police are appealing for information after the collision

Two women were taken to hospital after a two-vehicle collision on the A39 near Polsham

27/07/2024

This is Damien Hull, a young Taunton businessman who is making waves on social media by restoring classic football shirts to their former glory.

The 22-year-old (better known as Damo) started out by selling retro tops online but found greater success in restoring them after finding a gap in the market.

His clients include Sam Tompkins, a singer-songwriter with more than one million followers.

“The Sam Tompkins collab was crazy,” said Damo.

“He is a great customer and also a lovely person. I am hoping to venture out to more high-profile customers to help push my business. I already have some big collaborations in the works.”

Full story: tinyurl.com/mwdwwctt

27/07/2024

Now this looks like a job for me!

Eminem is now the odds-on favourite to headline the Pyramid stage at next year's Glastonbury Festival

27/07/2024

The latest on a breaking news story - A39 closed between Glastonbury and Coxley

Police have said the A39 between Glastonbury and Coxley is closed in both directions

27/07/2024

Great innings by Andy Umeed in the first one-day cup match of the season! 🏏

Andy Umeed scored an unbeaten 114 to secure an opening day win for Somerset in the Metro Bank Cup

27/07/2024

“Unfortunately, some not very public spirited miscreants in Taunton seem to think free press means they can help themselves to newspapers they haven’t paid for.”

We've got a free press in this country - but that doesn't mean people should take the public newspapers from Taunton Library, Phil Hill says.

27/07/2024

Well done!

St Cecilia Care Home in Shepton Mallet has been awarded the highest possible score by carehome.co.uk

27/07/2024

Have you tried the Dirty Toppers cheese yet?

A West Country cheese brand has taken home a Gold Award for Best New Dairy Product at the International Cheese Awards 2024.

27/07/2024

Can you spot yourself in the crowds?

The celebration of horticulture, held at Vivary Park, has attracted generation after generation of green-fingered enthusiasts with its floral and…

27/07/2024

Congratulations Becky! We'll all be rooting for you on Tuesday 🚣‍♀️

Somerset's Becky Wilde will compete in the semi finals of the Olympic rowing double skulls on Tuesday (July 30)

27/07/2024

Good luck to Annie, who will be making her Olympic appearance on Monday!

Olympic debutant Annie Campbell-Orde is competing for Team GB as part of the Women’s Eight rowing team at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

27/07/2024

Very impressive!

This converted property with outbuildings, stables and a paddock is now available to rent from the Stags Residential lettings department in Taunton.

27/07/2024

The walk raises funds for The Hub, Mind in Somerset, and the Yeovil Hospital Charity.

The challenge is a 50km walk starting in Glastonbury, ascending Glastonbury Tor, moving on to Dundon Beacon, and concluding at Ham Hill before…

27/07/2024

A modern executive-style residence for sale in popular Killams Green

This modern executive-style house occupies a prime cul-de-sac position in the popular Killams Green area of Taunton.

27/07/2024

Let us know here if you spot those buses!

School pupils and college students have brought art and poetry together for a new project to beautify four First Bus vehicles.

27/07/2024

Fancy some fun in Frome?🎉

To celebrate their golden anniversary, Frome Town Council are hosting a free event to mark 50 years of serving the local community.

27/07/2024

The nearest HSBC UK branch with counter service is the one in Exeter.

The Taunton branch of a bank will close temporarily to allow internal building work.

27/07/2024

He even received good luck messages from Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan!

An eight-year-old boy from Glastonbury climbed Mount Snowdon to raise money for Somerset wildlife rescue centre Secret World

27/07/2024

Think KFC meets Frankie and Benny's 🍗

Slim Chickens, a recent addition to Clarks Village in Street, intrigued me as someone who had never visited this chain before. With no prior…

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Videos

Work begins to remove “unsafe” footbridge from Goodlands Garden, Taunton

Work to remove an “unsafe” footbridge in Goodlands Garden, Taunton, began this morning. An area of the gardens and part of the nearby footpath will be closed until August 1. It is understood the bridge will be lifted on Tuesday afternoon (July 30). A safety barrier will then be put in place. Full story: https://trib.al/eD2xjrr

Second World War veteran from Watchet finally gets his medals

What a lovely moment! A Second World War veteran from Somerset has finally received his medals – nearly 80 years after he saw action in Belgium and Germany. George Lewis, who is 98 and lives with his daughter Liz in Watchet, served with the Royal Tank Regiment from 1944 to 1947. But for some reason he never received his medals, with one theory being they were sent to the wrong address. When one of his neighbours, Valorie Norman, found out, she set about putting that right, contacting her brother, who had served in the same regiment as Mr Lewis. Her brother passed on the story to the Regimental Association, which provided the medals. Mr Lewis, who served in the Fifth Tank Regiment, was finally presented with the medals at an event on Saturday, surrounded by his children and other members of his family at the Royal British Legion Club in Watchet.

Mark Wright and Greg Rutherford visit revamped Yeovil sports facility

What a transformation! A struggling community sports facility has been given an 'Olympic Overhaul' with the help of Olympian Greg Rutherford and TV star Mark Wright. They visited the Yeovil Athletics Arena alongside Team GB swimmer James Guy and ParalympicsGB athlete Aled Davies. The facility was on the verge of closure earlier this year due to financial pressures. Almost 15,000 locals signed a petition to save the club due to being left on the brink as part of efforts by Somerset County Council to save £100 million. British Gas responded by implementing high-tech, energy-efficient upgrades that not only secured the club's future - but also significantly reduced its operating costs.

Calling 14-18 year olds! Have you got ambitions of being a journalist? 😍 The Young Reporter Scheme - in partnership with Newsquest - is a schools programme giving students in school years 10, 11, 12 and 13 an opportunity to write for a real live online newspaper. Registrations are open ahead of September's new intake. For more information and how to register, head to the Young Reporter website ▶ https://trib.al/474OqqI Here's a sneak peek at what the Young Reporter Scheme has to offer 👇

Build your baby's brain every day. Sign up for free brain-building tips with Look Say Sing Play #LookSaySingPlay #NSPCC

Gideon Amos on opening Somerset Armed Forces Day 2024

Gideon Amos has carried out his first official engagement as the new MP for Taunton and Wellington: opening Somerset Armed Forces Day. Here's what he had to say 👇

Hinkley Point C prepares to install the heart of the power station

A new video update from Hinkley Point C shows how the project is getting ready to install the heart of the new nuclear power station. Following last year’s “Dome Lift” when the reactor building roof was lifted in place, it features preparations to install the first nuclear reactor, the massive steam generators, and the world’s largest turbine.

Sir Ed Davey knocks down blue dominoes in Taunton's Vivary Park

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey was in Taunton this morning ahead of the general election. Sir Ed was in Vivary Park where he knocked down a series of blue dominoes— a reference to the party’s attempt to overturn traditionally held Conservative seats across the south and south west. He was joined by Gideon Amos, the Lib Dem candidate for Taunton and Wellington. Sir Ed said: “Thursday could be a historic moment for this country. It is an opportunity to vote for a Liberal Democrat local champion who will stand up for the NHS, tackle the sewage scandal and end the cost-of-living crisis.” Mr Amos is standing against Charles Hansard (Reform UK), Rebecca Pow (Conservative), Rochelle Russell (Communist Party of Britain), Ryan Trower (Green Party) and Brenda Weston (Labour). Full story: https://trib.al/qCHCM3h

Aerial video captures sheer scale of Glastonbury Festival 2024

Incredible – Somerset's temporary city in the fields.

Glastonbury-goers on the General Election

Ten-week-old steals show at Annie Mac’s Glastonbury set

Glastonbury: New look for Arcadia as Dragonfly replaces Spider

Joe Wicks energises the crowd with a fitness session at Glastonbury Festival!

Origins of the Glastonbury Festival explained

Drone show marks first night of Glastonbury

Tipper truck driver who crashed into overhead gantry convicted of dangerous driving

A tipper truck driver who crashed into an overhead gantry on the M5 has been convicted of dangerous driving. The incident in March 2023, which took place between Cribbs Causeway and Avonmouth, led to the motorway being closed for about 14 hours due to concerns the gantry could collapse. Anthony Baker, 48, had denied the charge but was convicted by a jury after a two-day trial at Bristol Crown Court. He was released on bail and will be sentenced on Friday, August 2 at the same court. PC Ian Hudson, of the roads policing unit, said: “The consequences of this collision could have been catastrophic had the matrix sign hit a vehicle travelling at 70mph or the gantry collapsed onto a live motorway. “Anthony Baker’s failure to perform even a basic check that the lorry bed had been lowered is inexplicable and put other road users in danger. “Road safety is something everyone needs to have at the forefront of their minds when they get behind the wheel of any vehicle.”

Mum who quit £50k a year sales job is going to DJ at Glastonbury

A self-taught DJ who quit her £50,000 a year job to follow her dreams will perform at Glastonbury Festival next week. Sammy Dean, 50, was a sales manager at a newbuild property developer for more than 20 years until she decided to re-learn how to mix songs in lockdown. After playing at a few festivals, she jacked in her job to pursue her passion of playing house music full-time. And after performing at Glastonbury Festival last year, she's been invited back to play for the second time. Truly inspiring! Well done, Sammy!

Somerset cricket stars visit St Margaret’s Hospice

Somerset cricketers Tom Abell, Ben Green and Roelof van der Merwe paid a visit to St Margaret’s Hospice on Tuesday (June 12). They players had a tour of the hospice, learning about the extensive care provided to individuals in the county, and spent time engaging with patients. Their visit concluded in the Sunflower Centre, which provides specialist support and advice for patients who have life-limiting illness or advanced progressive conditions, but are well enough to remain at home. The cricket club backing the hospice’s upcoming fundraising event, The Big Somerset Cricket Bash, on June 30.

Paraglider sees Glastonbury Festival taking shape

Check out those views! This is what high-flying paraglider Tom McMeakin saw as he flew over Worthy Farm, the home of Glastonbury Festival, earlier this month. The huge musical festival involves the construction of dozens of stages, including the iconic Pyramid. Tom, Chief Flight Instructor at the newly-opened Sky Riders Paragliding & Paramotor School, says: "I was flying at around 1000 ft and you could clearly see activity across the whole of the Glastonbury site. "Some of the permanent features were looking bare and slowly getting their coverages/facades to bring the Glastonbury magic."

Minis travel in convoy from Minehead to Taunton to honour the life of Terry Baker

This is the moment when hundreds of Minis travelled in convoy from Minehead to Taunton to pay tribute to ‘local legend’ Terry Baker, who sadly died on April 11 at the age of 71. Terry started 'Small Cars, Big Hearts' for Mini owners looking to "raise money and smiles". The organisation has raised over £600,000 for charities including Children's Hospice South West and Great Ormond Street Hospital and Children's Charity. In 2018, Terry won a Pride of Britain award for his decades of fundraising. After winning the award, he said: “You don’t have to be someone super, to be something that can raise a great deal of money.” Thank you and rest in peace, Terry ♥