Mark Killick, a notorious cowboy builder from Paulton in Somerset, receives a fourteen-year prison sentence for defrauding thirty-seven customers out of over one point two five million pounds. Operating under aliases like Marc Cole and Mark Jenkins, he preyed on trusting homeowners during the pandemic building boom, taking huge upfront payments and leaving jobs unfinished … Leer más
Avon and Somerset Police launch a public appeal amid an ongoing burglary probe in Wincanton, targeting properties off the busy A303 highway. The incident, striking in the early hours of a September morning, prompts urgent calls for information to identify suspects and recover stolen goods. Residents rally behind the effort, highlighting community vigilance in tackling … Leer más
Somerset faces a yellow-level cold health alert from late Christmas through the end of the month, triggered by dropping temperatures and harsh conditions across southwest England. Local authorities activate emergency protocols like the Severe Weather Emergency Provision to shelter those at risk, especially the homeless, amid forecasts of overnight lows near freezing. This alert underscores … Leer más
Illegal vape shops on Taunton’s Station Road faced decisive action in 2025 as Somerset Trading Standards and police executed raids, seizing tens of thousands of pounds worth of illicit stock and securing court-ordered closures. These operations targeted Taunton Market and Top Market, exposing sophisticated concealment tactics and repeat offences that undermined public health and legitimate … Leer más
Cotley Harriers’ Boxing Day meet in Chard draws intense scrutiny amid growing calls to ban trail hunting across Somerset and the UK. Animal rights groups accuse the hunt of enabling illegal activities despite its legal trail-hunting format, while supporters defend it as a cherished rural tradition under threat from urban politics. The 2025 event highlights … Leer más
Somerset Council has adjusted bin collection schedules around Christmas 2025 and New Year to account for bank holidays, ensuring residents can manage festive waste effectively. These changes affect Thursday and Friday collections, while Monday to Wednesday rounds proceed normally. Recycling sites close on key holidays, prompting tips for handling extra wrapping paper, cards, and trees. … Leer más
Electronic waste donation events in Somerset are becoming a powerful tool for tackling the twin challenges of rising e-waste and digital exclusion, and the Donate IT Frome Town Hall initiative in 2026 is at the heart of this local effort. By turning unwanted devices into digital lifelines for people in need, the scheme shows how … Leer más
A 37-year-old man from Sunderland was arrested at Bristol Airport after Border Force officers uncovered 42kg (92lb) of cannabis hidden in his suitcases, with an estimated street value of at least £420,000. Paul West, from Thomas Street in Ryhope, had flown in from Canada via Dublin when South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) officers … Leer más
Yeovil Town Council has submitted ambitious £15 million revamp plans for the Octagon Theatre, the town’s cultural cornerstone since 1974, aiming to modernise facilities while preserving its distinctive eight-sided Brutalist architecture. The proposals, lodged with South Somerset District Council on 20 December 2025, include expanded seating, state-of-the-art acoustics, and community spaces to secure the venue’s … Leer más
Somerset Members of Parliament have issued measured responses to the government’s dramatic U-turn on inheritance tax rules for family farms, raising the threshold from £1 million to £2.5 million following months of farmer protests and political pressure. The climbdown, announced on 23 December 2025, protects an estimated 85% of family farms from the tax but … Leer más