A ROCKWELL Green mother of four has hit out at Taunton Deane Council, which has left her on a waiting list for suitable housing for the last five years. Lisa Packman has spoken to the County Gazette because she feels no-one appears to be considering the
ACTION is to be taken over speeding motorists along Mantle Street, Wellington. The town council was left horrified after results on a speed test carried out by Somerset Highways on behalf of the council showed average speeds of around 35mph. And, in the
ALTHOUGH it is only July, preparations are already starting on the Christmas decorations for Wellington. The Chamber of Commerce is keen to make the town really festive this year and is encouraging businesses to invest in illuminated trees to go outside
A NEW site is desperately needed for a transmitter to broadcast the forthcoming 10Radio station due to be on air from Wiveliscombe throughout September. Organisers were told by communications watchdog Ofcom this week that plans to site the transmitter
CONFUSION over a decision to move a Chard recycling facility from one car park to another has been resolved. Following an article in this week's News, South Somerset District Council has said it moved the recycling banks from the Somerfield car park to
MINEHEAD'S market returned to its Station Yard site on Tuesday to the relief of traders in the town. In a deal hammered out between Somerset County Council and market operator Edward Davies West Coast Markets, the market will remain on its former home
LOW income families in West Somerset may soon be able to get loans at a reduced rate of interest to help them repair their homes. The £140,000 home improvement scheme will also provide maintenance advice to vulnerable residents. The scheme has been developed
STAFF at West Somerset District Council are being forced out of their offices because they are mouldy and damp. Planners at the council's Williton headquarters are to move into the council chamber after structural checks on their present office building
BUTLINS Minehead has been awarded a four-star rating by VisitBritain, the UK tourism body. The resort, which attracts almost half a million guests to the town every year, received plaudits for its cleanliness, service and hospitality, while resort staff
WEST Somerset Morris Men celebrated their 40th anniversary with a grand tour of the district by about 30 dancers at the weekend. West Somerset Morris, which was formed on July 2, 1965, staged a gruelling programme of dancing taking in Dunster, Porlock
A Falmouth call centre has closed for business this afternoon following a series of explosions in London. Market Reach, in Bickland Water Road, has made the decision to stop making calls in an effort not to block telephone lines. One worker said that
Mainline train services across the south west were being halted today in the wake of a series of explosions in London. Train company First Great Western said its services into London's Paddington station were terminating at Reading in Berkshire because
JAMIE Rendall, the terminally ill boy from Taunton, who is dying of cancer, was baptised on Sunday. Jamie, five, was diagnosed with Neuro-blastoma, cancer of the nervous system, in July last year. Last week the Somerset County Gazette reported how Jamie
THE northbound carriageway of the M5 was closed after a pile-up involving 15 cars between Taunton and Wellington on Thursday. Three people were taken to Musgrove Park Hospital with minor injuries. Police blamed poor weather for the accident, and reminded
HENLADE residents are looking forward to Christmas - but first they have to get through a "nightmare" 15 weeks. Heavy goods vehicles normally using the A303 are to be re-routed through the already traffic-clogged village for three months from September
THE latest stun weapons issued to police in Avon and Somerset have been dubbed "potentially lethal" by Amnesty International. Authorised Firearms Officers in the force area were given the go-ahead to carry Tasers from last week. The weapons were called
THE northbound carriageway of the M5 was closed after a pile-up involving 15 cars between Taunton and Wellington on Thursday. Three people were taken to Musgrove Park Hospital with minor injuries. Police blamed poor weather for the accident, and reminded
HENLADE residents are looking forward to Christmas - but first they have to get through a "nightmare" 15 weeks. Heavy goods vehicles normally using the A303 are to be re-routed through the already traffic-clogged village for three months from September
SPIRALLING oil prices are hitting hard across Taunton Deane with businesses, public services and individuals all feeling the squeeze. Firms face tough decisions as fuel bills soar and households are spending more on petrol, while Taunton's Musgrove Park
THREE-QUARTERS of the £400,000 needed to prevent Bishops Lydeard church tower collapsing has been raised since January. The vicar, the Rev Michael Wishart, has pleaded with supporters to continue praying and working to reach the target by September. The
POLICE in Taunton are appealing for information after a 70-year-old woman was duped by three bogus carpet fitters. The victim was approached by the men offering to sell her carpets between 2pm and 3.20pm on Tuesday. She agreed to see the carpets and was
I AGREE wholeheartedly with Andrew Lee about the state of the canal towpath (Postbag, June 23). Thinking of the environment and preferring to avoid rocketing parking charges, I also like to leave the car at home, sadly thereby missing all the large signs
I AM currently researching some family history on my wife's side. Her mother was evacuated to the Winsford area during the Second World War, and it is about her mother's time there that I request information from County Gazette readers. Her name was Elizabeth
THE new Wellington Chamber of Commerce website is now up and running, thanks to the hard work of Nigel Dobson. The site is packed with information on the town, including a business directory of Chamber members, news, views and events. And there is still
A NEW mobile CCTV camera could be bought for Wellington if current trials at the skate park are a success. The town council is considering the option as a way of tackling problems with groups of people congregating around the town and causing trouble.
IT'S that time of year again when the titles of Miss Wellington and Miss Wellington Junior are chosen. The Somerset County Gazette-backed competition runs each year to find a Miss Wellington, aged 15 to 25, to represent the town at events such as the
VETERAN blood donors Dr Philip Creed and David Brunt, who both live in Ilminster, received awards for their commitment to the National Blood Service. Dr Creed received his gold award, a badge and pen for donating blood on 50 occasions, and Mr Brunt was
YEOVIL Town started their pre-season tour of Europe with a 2-1 victory over German side SC Preussen Munster last night (Wednesday). The Glovers' goals were scored by trialist Eric Obinna and a Phil Jevons penalty.
WEST Somerset Olympian Peter Baker (pictured) was 'absolutely thrilled' at the news yesterday that Britain had won the bid to hold the 2012 Olympics in London. Mr Baker, of Millands Lane, Kilve, was recently awarded a prestigious diploma by the International
THE Quantock Hills could be alive with the sound of jet engines if an application lodged this week for changes to commercial flight paths across West Somerset is approved. Expansion at Bristol and Cardiff international airports could see commercial jets
BRIDGWATER is marking the 60th anniversary of the end of WWII this weekend with celebrations taking place in the town centre. Sunday has been chosen as the national Commemoration Day, as it falls roughly half way between VE Day and VJ Day.
A TITANIC battle broke out at Westonzoyland over the weekend when the Sealed Knot re-enacted the Battle of Sedgemoor. For the first time since 1685, the re-enactment took place on the actual battlefield where the Duke of Monmouth's rebel army met King
THE annual meeting of the Yeovil Business Crime Reduction Team will be held at the Town House in Union Street, Yeovil, on Tuesday (July 12) from 12.30pm. Among the speakers will be local crime reduction officer PC Brett Gitsham of Yeovil Police.
SPORTS lovers in Taunton Deane were celebrating yesterday (Wednesday) after it was revealed that London will host the Olympics in 2012. Fencers Dominic Kerr, 15, and his sister, Felicity, 13, are two of Taunton's best prospects of competing in the Games
This well-presented three bedroom cottage in an unspoilt valley at Boswin, near Porkellis, Cornwall is on the market with Miller and Son's agricultural and equestrian department in Falmouth at a guide price of £425,000. The accommodation comprises a kitchen
An exclusive new retirement village of apartments and cottages has just been unveiled at a prestigious reception in St Mawes in Cornwall to a queue of eager purchasers. A new concept in the UK and the first of it's kind in Cornwall, the development comprises
An attractive stone fronted semi-detached barn conversion is on offer through Stratton Creber's Falmouth office at a price of £399,950. Little Acres is part of the Higher Argal Farm development, a small complex of barns in a rural location at Falmouth
A detached converted barn with expansive countryside and sea views, plus an adjacent single-storey stone barn, is on the market with Miller Countrywide at a guide price of £300,000. There are many very interesting character features within this two bedroom
THE annual Magdalene Fair takes place at St Mary Magdalene Church, Taunton, from 10am on Saturday, July 16, when visitors will get the chance to climb the tallest tower in Somerset. Proceeds from the event, which will feature several stalls and activities
JAMIE Rendall, the terminally ill boy from Taunton, who is dying of cancer, was baptised on Sunday. Jamie, five, was diagnosed with Neuro-blastoma, cancer of the nervous system, in July last year. Last week the Somerset County Gazette reported how Jamie
BOGUS door-to-door canvassers have been trying to make collections on behalf of the Westcountry Ambulance Services NHS Trust in Taunton Deane. A Trust spokesman said: "These people have absolutely no connection with the Trust. The public are urged to
SPORTS lovers in Taunton Deane were celebrating yesterday (Wednesday) after it was revealed that London will host the Olympics in 2012. Fencers Dominic Kerr, 15, and his sister, Felicity, 13, are two of Taunton's best prospects of competing in the Games
WHERE is community leadership in Taunton? Where were Cllrs John Williams, Ross Henley and Libby Lisgo, leaders of the Conservative, LibDem and Labour parties on Taunton Deane Council, at the 'Make Poverty History' assembly outside the Market House on
THERE have been conflicting reports from councillors, politicians and Postbag correspondents about recycling waste. If the question is purely about recycling no doubt most people are in favour, but if it is about methods of collection then from what I've
IT seems like dog poo is a problem that goes on forever (County Gazette, June 30). Before I left England for Canada in 1967 I remember Cider Path in Taunton having dog poo on it at all times. We used to call it 'dog s*** lane.' I guess with the years
