SOMERSET residents have been asked to consider using recycling centres and only cooking what they need so festive bin collections go off smoothly.

ILMINSTER residents are still invited to join a public consultation and have their say about the community and its future.

NEW data and statistics part of the UK Census 2021 have been released today (Tuesday, November 29).

ALL the children at St Mary and St Peter’s Church School in Ilton have received a timely surprise present.

FANCY having a say in how much our councillors are paid?

A FAMILY-FOCUSED warm bank has been set up to provide support this winter to those affected by the cost-of-living crisis.

A ROW has broken out in Somerset over the role the county council should play in how schoolchildren are taught about religion, writes Daniel Mumby.

TRUSTED local news media titles such as the Chard and Ilminster News sit right at the heart of local life.

BISHOP Michael, the recently installed 80th Bishop of Bath and Wells, is to become a patron of Somerset Day.

ONE person remains unaccounted for after a fire at a property at Windwhistle, Cricket St Thomas, on the morning of Sunday, November 27.

CHARD celebrated the start of the festive season with its Christmas lights switch-on event last weekend.

GREEN Ilminster joined forces with the town council to restore and enrich an existing green area.

REGENERATION works to a hedge line in Ilminster are due to take place in the coming weeks.

POLICE have published details of locations where they will be managing mobile speed cameras across Somerset this week starting today (Monday, November 28).

A PRIMARY school in Ilminster stepped back in time as pupils and staff shared a Victorian Day.

WITH winter upon us, Somerset residents are being reminded to protect their health and the health of people around them by getting their flu and Covid-19 vaccinations.

FIREFIGHTERS are at the scene of a property fire in Winsham, where they are tackling the blaze externally due to the “unsafe stability of the property”.

PEOPLE in Devon and Somerset can now see the latest statistics and details of fire and rescue incidents in their area thanks to a new website feature being tested by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, writes Molly Clapham.

AN 89-year-old caravan affectionately known as Lady Eccles is looking for a new owner in the next three-day Charterhouse auction.

SET in a tranquil riverside setting on the edge of the village, this characterful cottage has gardens extending to 0.94 acres.

A PRIMARY school in Ilminster has won the Green Flag Eco Award for its commitment to environmental topics.

TWO people have been taken to hospital after they were extracted from an overturned vehicle by firefighters on the A372 near the Podimore Roundabout.

A TRAPPED person was extracted from a vehicle by firefighters after a two-vehicle collision at Ashill near Chard on Friday, November 25.

THIS is a well-presented, four bedroom detached family home occupying a generous plot measuring approximately 1/3 acre.

ST MARGARET’S Hospice helped residents and visitors near Crewkerne to get into the Christmas spirit with a successful market.

LAW firms Everys Solicitors LLP and Crewkerne-based Stokes Partners LLP have announced the merger of their two firms today (Friday, November 25).

WITH lots of visitors to friends and family homes over the festive season, it can be tempting for motorists to park on the pavement, cycle lane or use nearby car parks to stay overnight.

AN ILMINSTER primary school has achieved the School Games Platinum Mark Award.

A MAN suffered a broken foot in a collision with a car that failed to stop after the incident.

AN UNSAFE bridge has prompted a 21-day closure of a footpath in Ilminster.

THE day a much-loved TV broadcaster was smuggled into Taunton under great secrecy has been recounted by a former County Gazette reporter.

A COUPLE with two children on a weekly income of less than £260 and single people on below £95 living in Somerset won't have to pay a penny of council tax in the year from April 1.

PRIVATE landlords in Somerset are being offered cash incentives to house Ukrainian refugees.

A new visitor centre and café will be built at one of Somerset’s main tourist attractions following unanimous approval by district councillors.

A MERRIOTT man is to face trial over the death of a motorcyclist in a road traffic collision.

CHARD Churches Together is inviting residents to the Beacon on Saturday, December 3 to see the lighting up of the Nativity Scene Silhouettes made by Men's Shed.

Yeovil residents have called for an urgent rethink on plans to redevelop a former public school site in the town centre.

CHARD Carers Support Group met on Monday, November 14, welcoming Ingrid from the Chard florist, Floweringi, to take us through the construction of some table decorations for the Christmas festivities.

Experts have revealed how motorists can present windscreen first using this simple kitchen item.

RESIDENTS in the Chard, Ilminster and surrounding areas are now facing extreme difficulty to register at a dentist as the nation as a whole is facing a 'dental timebomb'.

A MULTI-AWARD winning quartet will play two gigs in South Petherton as part of its latest UK tour in December.

A MAJOR road near Yeovil will be closed until 1pm while a lorry is being recovered.

HEAVY rain and strong winds are likely to affect Somerset and the South West today (Thursday, November 24), the Met Office said.

THE Ilminster Arts Centre has a busy schedule of events and activities on offer in the run-up to Christmas.

Asda is encouraging customers to book their flu jabs online.

AVON and Somerset Chief Constable Sarah Crew and the force's Police Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford are looking for creative young artists to help design this year’s official Christmas cards.

A WOMAN visiting Ilminster said the decorations of a town centre shop “brought a tear” to her eye.

What to buy the person who has everything…? Why not buy a gift that lasts all year!

BRACE yourself for more heavy rain and strong winds across Somerset tomorrow (Wednesday, November 23).

SCHOOLCHILDREN at a primary school in Chard turned into rockstars for a day to win a competition.