Family

Screen grab of Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey

Thousands could unlock £2,600 savings after major government rule change

Saraya the Doberman with baby Alexander.

Saraya the Doberman with baby Alexander.

Family dog alerted Somerset mum to baby's rare heart condition

The wedding of Kieran White and Tilly Christmas

The wedding of Kieran White and Tilly Christmas

Looking Back: When Mr and Mrs White-Christmas tied the knot in Somerset

Somerset Council is raising awareness of private fostering and the support available ahead of Private Fostering Awareness Day on Wednesday, November 4

Somerset Council is raising awareness of private fostering and the support available ahead of Private Fostering Awareness Day on Wednesday, November 4

Somerset Council urges families to report private fostering arrangements

Taunton death notices and funeral announcements

Ken Pilgrim is congratulated by his partner Trudi Henkle

Ken Pilgrim is congratulated by his partner Trudi Henkle

Looking Back: When a Taunton man celebrated an extra-special 100th birthday

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The Bishop's Palace and Gardens

Taunton death notices and funeral announcements

This week's Taunton death notices and funeral announcements

Somerset Council has advised that applying by the deadline gives families the best chance of securing a place at one of their preferred schools

Somerset Council has advised that applying by the deadline gives families the best chance of securing a place at one of their preferred schools

Somerset Council

Somerset parents reminded to apply on time for school places

The family of a 19-month-old girl with a rare genetic condition affecting only six people in the UK say AI helped them to gain a diagnosis.

The family of a 19-month-old girl with a rare genetic condition affecting only six people in the UK say AI helped them to gain a diagnosis.

Somerset mum says ChatGPT helped save her baby’s life after doctors were baffled

Jacqueline Jarvis (née Bennett)

Jacqueline Jarvis (née Bennett)

This week's Taunton death notices and funeral announcements

Taunton death notices and funeral announcements from the Somerset County Gazette

Taunton death notices and funeral announcements from the Somerset County Gazette

This week's Taunton death notices and funeral announcements

Parents and grandparents typically wait until age five to open a savings account, potentially missing £3,794 in contributions

Parents and grandparents typically wait until age five to open a savings account, potentially missing £3,794 in contributions

Parents could miss out on £3,794 by waiting to start children's savings

Frome Town Council's Christmas Light Switch On and Light the Night Lantern Parade celebrate their 10 year anniversary this winter

Frome Town Council's Christmas Light Switch On and Light the Night Lantern Parade celebrate their 10 year anniversary this winter

Town's Christmas lights switch-on returns as unusual theme unveiled

Annabelle Boucher at her home, after divorcing her controlling ex cost her six-figures.

Annabelle Boucher at her home, after divorcing her controlling ex cost her six-figures.

Avon and Somerset Police

'I had to pay my abuser £75,000 to leave', says Somerset woman after divorce hell

Prime Minister Andy Burnham as the government is urging people to see if they could be eligible for a payment - HMRC says 827,000 matured Child Trust Funds remain unclaimed

Prime Minister Andy Burnham as the government is urging people to see if they could be eligible for a payment - HMRC says 827,000 matured Child Trust Funds remain unclaimed

Thousands could be sitting on £2,310 without even realising it, says HMRC

Blue Badge holders cannot automatically park in supermarket parent and child parking bays, with experts explaining why many drivers could face parking charges.

Blue Badge holders cannot automatically park in supermarket parent and child parking bays, with experts explaining why many drivers could face parking charges.

Can Blue Badge holders park in parent and child spaces? The rules many get wrong

Taunton death notices and funeral announcements from the Somerset County Gazette

Taunton death notices and funeral announcements from the Somerset County Gazette

This week's Taunton death notices and funeral announcements

Somerset cricketer Tom Kohler-Cadmore is set to host a charity golf day for his son Dougie, who was born with a cleft lip and palate

Somerset cricketer Tom Kohler-Cadmore is set to host a charity golf day for his son Dougie, who was born with a cleft lip and palate

Somerset cricketer Tom Kohler-Cadmore to host charity golf day

Taunton death notices and funeral announcements from the Somerset County Gazette

Taunton death notices and funeral announcements from the Somerset County Gazette

This week's Taunton death notices and funeral announcements

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A place to grow: how Somerset households are helping young people step into adulthood

Clinton Rogers: Why checking your family history could save your life

Someone has blocked your driveway? Find out what homeowners can do, when a parking fine may apply and why you should not move the vehicle yourself.

Someone has blocked your driveway? Find out what homeowners can do, when a parking fine may apply and why you should not move the vehicle yourself.

School-run parking row - what to do if someone blocks your drive near a school

Trish Caller: Finding a sense of beauty in the green spaces of grief

To help people explore fostering, Fostering in Somerset is hosting a series of free information sessions across the autumn

To help people explore fostering, Fostering in Somerset is hosting a series of free information sessions across the autumn

Somerset Council calls for more people to become foster carers

Taunton death notices and funeral announcements from the Somerset County Gazette

Taunton death notices and funeral announcements from the Somerset County Gazette

This week's Taunton death notices and funeral announcements

Flu vaccines are now being offered to pregnant women and children across the South West

Flu vaccines are now being offered to pregnant women and children across the South West

Flu vaccines now being offered to groups in the South West

Back to school shopping at Tesco

Back to school shopping at Tesco

Autumn shopping deals - school coats, bags and more from £1 or less

Councillor Heather Shearer and Claire Winter, executive director for children, families and education services

Councillor Heather Shearer and Claire Winter, executive director for children, families and education services

Liberal Democrats

Somerset Council commits £7m to transform children's services by 2032

Taunton death notices and funeral announcements from the Somerset County Gazette

Taunton death notices and funeral announcements from the Somerset County Gazette

This week's Taunton death notices and funeral announcements

Taunton death notices and funeral announcements from the Somerset County Gazette

Taunton death notices and funeral announcements from the Somerset County Gazette

This week's Taunton death notices and funeral announcements

Children can use the props and costumes to let their imaginations run wild

Children can use the props and costumes to let their imaginations run wild

Somerset mum launches screen-free children's play business

Taunton baby boy who 'made everyone smile' dies after battling rare condition

Child Benefit payments could stop for parents who fail to extend claims by August 31. You don't need to wait for results day to apply.

Child Benefit payments could stop for parents who fail to extend claims by August 31. You don't need to wait for results day to apply.

HMRC Child Benefit warning for parents as payments could stop this month

Taunton death notices and funeral announcements from the Somerset County Gazette

Taunton death notices and funeral announcements from the Somerset County Gazette

This week's Taunton death notices and funeral announcements

The Ilminster family won over a million pounds

The Ilminster family won over a million pounds

National Lottery

Somerset builder thought £1m National Lottery win was a scam for nine days

Students can claim free pizza and food on Results Day 2026

Students can claim free pizza and food on Results Day 2026

A-Level Results

Results Day 2026 - free pizza, food and treats to celebrate or commiserate A levels

Planetarium Astronomer Dr Carys Herbert demonstrates wearing Celestron solar eclipse glasses in front of Luke Jerram's 'Mirror Moon' sculpture at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, south east London, ahead of the Solar eclipse on August 12, which will be

Planetarium Astronomer Dr Carys Herbert demonstrates wearing Celestron solar eclipse glasses in front of Luke Jerram's 'Mirror Moon' sculpture at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, south east London, ahead of the Solar eclipse on August 12, which will be

Brits warned over dangerous ‘fake’ eclipse glasses ahead of Wednesday

Fondo Lounge in Street is one of eight participating cafes in the Somerset area.

Fondo Lounge in Street is one of eight participating cafes in the Somerset area.

Free breakfast club

How to get free children’s breakfasts at Somerset Lounges this summer

Taunton death notices and funeral announcements from the Somerset County Gazette

Taunton death notices and funeral announcements from the Somerset County Gazette

This week's Taunton death notices and funeral announcements

Petruth Paddocks near Cheddar was named among the UK's best family campsites

Petruth Paddocks near Cheddar was named among the UK's best family campsites

Two Somerset campsites named among UK's best for families - here's where

Have kids in expensive summer holiday clubs? HMRC is urging working parents to check if they qualify for Tax-Free Childcare, worth up to £2,000 per child

Have kids in expensive summer holiday clubs? HMRC is urging working parents to check if they qualify for Tax-Free Childcare, worth up to £2,000 per child

Parents urged to claim up to £2,000 as thousands miss out on HMRC scheme

Beauchamp House resident Barbara pictured with the extended care home team on her 101st birthday

Beauchamp House resident Barbara pictured with the extended care home team on her 101st birthday

Somerset care home resident celebrates special 101st birthday

Taunton death notices and funeral announcements from the Somerset County Gazette

Taunton death notices and funeral announcements from the Somerset County Gazette

Taunton death notices and funeral announcements

Heather and Paul have been foster carers with Somerset Council for over a quarter of a century

Heather and Paul have been foster carers with Somerset Council for over a quarter of a century

Somerset couple describe rewarding experience of becoming foster carers

School holiday childcare costs are forcing difficult decisions for families, with many wondering when children can legally be left home alone.

School holiday childcare costs are forcing difficult decisions for families, with many wondering when children can legally be left home alone.

Children and young people

Can you leave your child home alone in the school holidays? Legal rules explained

Heather and Paul have supported hundreds of young people and their families across Somerset.

Heather and Paul have supported hundreds of young people and their families across Somerset.

'You don’t need to be perfect'- Somerset couple share 25 years of fostering

Parents are being urged to claim Child Benefit even if they repay it through HMRC, as doing so could protect valuable National Insurance credits and their future State Pension.

Parents are being urged to claim Child Benefit even if they repay it through HMRC, as doing so could protect valuable National Insurance credits and their future State Pension.

HMRC Child Benefit warning to parents who could miss out on DWP State Pension

Tesco is bringing back free apples for children in more than 800 stores this summer, alongside free kids' café meals and extra help for struggling families.

Tesco is bringing back free apples for children in more than 800 stores this summer, alongside free kids' café meals and extra help for struggling families.

Summer holidays

Tesco brings back free fruit for kids this summer in popular move with families

Parents who claimed Child Benefit between 1978 and 2010 could be owed an average £8,377 after HMRC errors affected State Pension records.

Parents who claimed Child Benefit between 1978 and 2010 could be owed an average £8,377 after HMRC errors affected State Pension records.

DWP State Pension warning as parents urged to check for £8,377 HMRC payout

From Tesco and Asda to Bella Italia, Harvester and Subway, here's where kids eat free and £1 meal deals available during the summer holidays.

From Tesco and Asda to Bella Italia, Harvester and Subway, here's where kids eat free and £1 meal deals available during the summer holidays.

Family Days Out

The best kids eat free offers this summer at Bella Italia, Harvester, Subway and more

Taunton death notices and funeral announcements from the Somerset County Gazette

Taunton death notices and funeral announcements from the Somerset County Gazette

Taunton death notices and funeral announcements

Weston-super-Mare Crematorium and Cemetery has reopened after a gas leak

Weston-super-Mare Crematorium and Cemetery has reopened after a gas leak

Somerset crematorium issues major update after gas leak closure