Archive

  • Parking hike step closer

    CAR parking charges in Wellington are a step closer to being increased - despite fierce opposition from traders and councillors. Taunton Deane Council's traffic regulation orders panel recommended approval plans to increase the cost of parking across

  • Caroline's the star attraction at Popham

    TELEVISION celebrity Caroline Quentin helped get the money pouring in as she opened Wellington care home Popham House's fair at the weekend. Crowds attended the event to see Caroline, start of hit TV series such as Men Behaving Badly and Jonathan Creek

  • Top village hall team

    THE team running Bathealton Village Hall has been praised by rural watchdogs. The Community Council for Somerset was so impressed when it carried out an inspection of the hall that it has singled it out for mention in the roll of honour. The announcement

  • Eyesore to store

    ONE of Wellington's ugliest eyesores could be torn down if plans by Somerfield supermarket are approved. The former Wellington Discount Stores buildings, on the High Street, are part of a planning application submitted by Somerfield Stores this week,

  • Avoid a 'night of fear'

    YOUNGSTERS looking to go trick or treating on Sunday are being urged not to cause mayhem. West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger and David Leaf, the curate of St Andrew's Church in Minehead, have joined forces to urge shops in the district to be careful

  • Chances to give blood

    THE National Blood Service urges Minehead residents to save lives by giving blood this week. Donations can be made at St John Ambulance Headquarters in North Road, Minehead, from 1.30pm-3.15pm and from 5pm-7.15pm on Monday (November 1) and at the same

  • Cowboy adventure Down Under

    MINEHEAD man John Robinson is helping to save Australia from a severe shortage of cowboys. John, 23, has swapped the muddy paddocks of Somerset for the dry bush of Queensland where he is learning the ropes. There is a huge shortage of young farmworkers

  • Show swells Sophie fund

    SONG and dance has come to the aid of West Somerset schoolgirl Sophie Clarke. The Doniford eight-year-old suffers from Sanfilippo disease, for which there is no known cure, and her parents Lisa and Paul are faced with raising £37,000 for an extension

  • Playing field revamp plan

    AMBITIOUS plans have been drawn up to revamp a West Somerset community playing field and recreation ground to stop it falling prey to vandals. Urgent action is needed to transform Williton Memorial and Recreation Ground into an asset rather than an eyesore

  • Three-day ice rink

    YOU may soon be able to get your skates on in Minehead. Plans are being investigated to set up an ice rink in the resort's town centre in a project spearheaded by county councillor Colin Hill. Funding will come from the windfall of cash given to each

  • Latest technology at County Gazette

    A NEW state-of-the-art computer system has been installed at the offices of Newsquest (Somerset), publishers of the Somerset County Gazette. The Miles 33 system embraces the Taunton centre's advertising, editorial, production and accounts departments.

  • Let's here it for Jessie, the mum to 500

    THERE are 500 special reasons why Mercury is reporting the 90th birthday of a Bridgwater woman that's how many Bridgwater children she is mum to. See this week's Mercury for a full report.

  • Hunt for missing boy

    A MAJOR search and rescue operation continues in North Devon today to track down a missing eight year old boy. The boy, from the Exeter area, was first reported missing at 1pm yesterday, whilst on an organised camping trip at Bridge Reeve near Chumleigh

  • Carnival gets ready for the off

    ORGANISERS are making the final preparations for the annual Yeovil Carnival parade - which takes place tomorrow (Saturday) from around 7pm. The Carnival procession will leave Lysander Road and head towards the town centre before dispersing at the top

  • County escapes worst of storms

    SOMERSET had a lucky escape from the high storms and winds which hit the South-West this week. While dozens of buildings were flooded and transport services disrupted in coastal areas in Devon and Cornwall, Somerset remained largely untouched with no

  • Bogus cop dupes pensioner

    A BOGUS policeman has conned a Taunton pensioner out of £700 in cash. The police have warned people to be on their guard against bogus callers after the incident last Wednesday. The elderly victim was at home in Shutewater Close, Bishop's Hull, at 2.10pm

  • Latest technology at County Gazette

    A NEW state-of-the-art computer system has been installed at the offices of Newsquest (Somerset), publishers of the Somerset County Gazette. The Miles 33 system embraces the Taunton centre's advertising, editorial, production and accounts departments.

  • Bogus cop dupes pensioner

    A BOGUS policeman has conned a Taunton pensioner out of £700 in cash. The police have warned people to be on their guard against bogus callers after the incident last Wednesday. The elderly victim was at home in Shutewater Close, Bishop's Hull, at 2.10pm

  • Bus driver's angry blast

    FIRST bus service in Taunton has been reported to the Bus Appeals Body after a passenger travelling from the town was allegedly told to "Get off the ******* bus" by a driver. Judy Davis, of Style Road, Wiveliscombe, uses the number 25 bus daily to travel

  • Let's not forget

    WITH Remembrance Day shortly upon us it is right that we turn our attention to remembering those people who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect our rights and values. There can be nothing more powerful than to give up your life so that others might

  • Chelston three-lane warning

    FEARS about the safety of the road between Chelston roundabout and the M5 have been denied by Somerset County Highways who say there have only been two minor accidents there in the last three years. Liberal Democrat spokesman Jeremy Browne said the road

  • Flora's GB joy

    WELLINGTON School sixth-form student Flora Colmar, 16, has been selected to represent Great Britain in the under 17 girls' fencing squad. Flora has been fencing for two years at the Princess Royal Sports Complex at the school, coached by teacher Georgy

  • Latest technology at County Gazette

    A NEW state-of-the-art computer system has been installed at the offices of Newsquest (Somerset), publishers of the Somerset County Gazette. The Miles 33 system embraces the Taunton centre's advertising, editorial, production and accounts departments.

  • Eyesore to store

    ONE of Wellington's ugliest eyesores could be torn down if plans by Somerfield supermarket are approved. The former Wellington Discount Stores buildings, on the High Street, are part of a planning application submitted by Somerfield Stores this week,

  • Parking situation 'ludicrous'

    ILMINSTER town councillors have called on the Highways Agency to address the 'ludicrous' parking situation in New Road. At a town council meeting last Tuesday, the council heard that a lorry had been able to get through because cars were parked on both

  • Yeovil prepare to do battle

    YEOVIL Town are today (Friday) making final preparations for their vital Coca-Cola League Two clash with Chester City. The Glovers - who have now picked up just two points from the past five games - will be looking to get back to winning ways when they

  • Sunnymeade helps CCTV fund

    SUNNYMEADE Residential Home is supporting the Keeping an Eye on Chard Campaign, by holding a raffle to raise funds for the CCTV. The raffle will be drawn at their Autumn Fair on November 6, from 10-11.30am. Rose Kneil, fundraiser and activities co-ordinator

  • Athlete will be honoured

    A CIVIC reception is to be held by West Somerset District Council to honour the achievements of disabled athlete Debbie Criddle. Debbie, who lives in Clatworthy, won three equestrian gold medals for Britain in the Paralympics Games staged in Athens after

  • Players in the pink

    RUGBY fans will be seeing pink when they watch the Minehead players in action this weekend. The teams are getting in touch with their feminine sides by swapping their usual macho colours for pink instead. Minehead rugby players will be socking it to their

  • Forged note scam

    A MAN ran off after trying to hand over a counterfeit £50 Bank of Scotland note at a shop in Porlock at about 2.45pm last Thursday. Staff recognised the note as a forgery and challenged the man, who was in his 20s with short dark hair and an Irish accent

  • Improving their station in life

    WILLITON train station is the most spick and span on the West Somerset Railway line. Staff are thrilled after landing the best kept station award in this year's competition. Judges visited all the stations along the line, which runs from Bishops Lydeard

  • It's a square deal

    TABLES and chairs should only be allowed in Minehead's Wellington Square if it is part of a charity or community event, town councillors have ruled this week. There has been widespread furore after one of the town's pubs revealed plans to put tables and

  • Smoke-free zone

    THE city of New York has done it, so have the Irish, while Liverpool and the whole of Australia intend to do it ... now people in Minehead can enjoy a night out in a smoke-free establishment. The town's Cream Barista Caf on The Parade is offering customers

  • Sharing care for cancer sufferers

    SOMERSET cancer patients and their carers are being given the opportunity to share their experiences with other sufferers. Somerset Cancer Care, a charity that provides support to people with cancer, will open its new Cancer Aid For Everyone (CAF) service

  • Case of rough justice

    A TAUNTON man has told of his 18-month nightmare after twice being arrested for major crimes he maintains he did not commit. Duncan Sweet, 28, was released without charge after being questioned over a fire in which his mother died about 18 months ago.

  • Gypsies invade village site

    THIS was the scene when scores of gypsies took over a six-acre field in North Curry. They towed on caravans, moved in generators and brought in lorry loads of gravel and stone to build makeshift roads. Julia Tibbs and Hilary Harris own a cottage next

  • Hunting saga continues

    HUNT supporters across Taunton Deane and West Somerset were left once again on the edge of their seats after the House of Lords voted for licensed hunts instead of a full ban this week. It is predicted that MPs and peers will clash over fox-hunting in

  • Case of rough justice

    A TAUNTON man has told of his 18-month nightmare after twice being arrested for major crimes he maintains he did not commit. Duncan Sweet, 28, was released without charge after being questioned over a fire in which his mother died about 18 months ago.

  • Fire guts classrooms

    AN arson attack on a Taunton primary school caused £250,000 worth of damage. The staff and governors at Bishop Henderson Primary School have this week been picking up the pieces after the blaze last Sunday evening. The fire broke out at about 10.20pm,

  • Gypsies invade village site

    THIS was the scene when scores of gypsies took over a six-acre field in North Curry. They towed on caravans, moved in generators and brought in lorry loads of gravel and stone to build makeshift roads. Julia Tibbs and Hilary Harris own a cottage next

  • Latest technology at County Gazette

    A NEW state-of-the-art computer system has been installed at the offices of Newsquest (Somerset), publishers of the Somerset County Gazette. The Miles 33 system embraces the Taunton centre's advertising, editorial, production and accounts departments.

  • Sydney's festive tapes

    A HIGHBRIDGE pensioner is using his own pension money and time to help spread Christmas cheer in a unique way to the blind, elderly and handicapped. See this week's Weekly News for a full report.

  • Bonfire events

    THREE main events will be held in the Wellington area next week to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night. Wiveliscombe will kick off the celebrations with a bonfire and fireworks display at the recreation ground at 6.30pm on Thursday. The on Friday, November 5,

  • Dennis heads the chamber

    KING'S Cycles owner Dennis King has been elected the new chairman of Wellington Chamber of Commerce. Mr King takes over from Nick Farnham, who stood down from the role at the beginning of September when motor company Richardsons closed. He was elected

  • Flu jab crisis not a problem

    A FLU jab clinic in Wellington had to be cancelled at the weekend following a nationwide vaccine crisis. Both Wellington Medical Centre and the Luson Medical Centre are experiencing problems with the shortage of vaccines after national supplies had to

  • Eyesrore to store

    ONE of Wellington's ugliest eyesores could be torn down if plans by Somerfield supermarket are approved. The former Wellington Discount Stores buildings, on the High Street, are part of a planning application submitted by Somerfield Stores this week,