Bridgwater Mercury
Sat, 11 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0100Your Health, Your Choice: Why investing in your health pays off
Worried about the cost of a personal trainer? Pete Richards explains why investing in fitness now can save on future health issues and NHS expenses.
Sat, 11 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0100Burnham man recovers after being cared for by home service
Burnham-on-Sea man recovers from heart failure and liver cirrhosis at home with Musgrove Park Hospital's Hospital at Home team, regaining independence.
Sat, 11 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0100Hear from your NHS: How to protect your skin this summer
Somerset NHS nurse Hannah Pollock urges sun safety to prevent skin cancer. Learn how to reduce melanoma risk in the UK with expert tips on sun protection.
Sat, 11 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0100Timetable revealed as town's garden fete celebrates 30 years
Cranleigh Garden Fête will mark its 30th anniversary in Bridgwater this weekend
Sat, 11 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0100New rainbow Pride buses launched to celebrate LGBTQ+ communities in Somerset
Two rainbow-themed Pride buses will travel across Somerset, celebrating LGBTQ+ communities
Sat, 11 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0100Man gets out of taxi, attacks vehicle with golf club and refuses to pay fare
Jack Insall has been given a community order after he attacked a taxi driver's car with a golf club and did not pay the fare
Sat, 11 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0100Solar eclipse and shooting stars on same night in rare double spectacle this summer
The UK will get a partial solar eclipse followed by shooting stars in super-rare double sky show on August 12 - here's where to see it
Sat, 11 Jul 2026 06:44:32 +0100Man held in connection to Ann Widdecombe's murder no longer part of investigation
A man arrested in connection with the death of former MP Ann Widdecombe, 78, has been released from custody by police.
Fri, 10 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0100Bill Revans column: Why reading matters for Somerset children
Somerset Summer Reading Challenge 2026 launches, inspiring children aged 4–11 to read six books over the holidays. Free to join via local libraries.
Fri, 10 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0100New Somerset partnership aims to boost accessibility and inclusion
Somerset Council partners with Evenbreak and Spark Somerset to offer free accessibility and inclusion training, supporting disability equality across services.
Fri, 10 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0100Bridgwater reading campaign encourages children to discover joy of books
Bridgwater MP Sir Ashley Fox’s Read2Succeed scheme gives year four pupils a free book to boost literacy and reading for pleasure, backed by Persimmon Homes.
Fri, 10 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0100Classic car and steam engine show to return to Somerset village
Sedgemoor Vintage Show returns to West Huntspill, 11–12 July, featuring steam engines, classic cars, tractors and more. Charity event, family-friendly.
Fri, 10 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0100Popular annual playday returns to Bridgwater park in less than a month
Bridgwater Playday 2026 returns to St Matthew’s Field on 5 August with free family activities, live entertainment, fairground rides, and more.
Fri, 10 Jul 2026 13:42:00 +0100Police hunt driver as Somerset A-road crash leaves three people in hospital
Police are searching for a driver after an A370 crash near Long Ashton park and ride left three people in hospital
Fri, 10 Jul 2026 10:17:40 +0100M5 traffic: Severe rush hour delays in Somerset amid crash and congestion - RECAP
Delays reported on the M5 at Portishead, Weston-super-Mare, Burnham-on-Sea and Bridgwater while an earlier incident leads to disruption near Bristol
Fri, 10 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0100Bridgwater squatters face eviction after renovating old Mecca Bingo building
Unauthorised residents living in Bridgwater’s former Scott Cinema building say they're being evicted after months of DIY work to clean the historic site
Fri, 10 Jul 2026 17:49:00 +010026-year-old man arrested on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe
A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe.
Fri, 10 Jul 2026 17:05:15 +0100Ann Widdecombe defends Nigel Farage in final TV interview just hours before her death
Ann Widdecombe defended Nigel Farage’s political strategy in her final interview before her death on Thursday (July 9).
Fri, 10 Jul 2026 16:54:16 +0100Tributes pour in after Ann Widdecombe dies in 'horrific' circumstances
Sir Keir Starmer, Kemi Badenoch and Strictly Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke lead tributes to the former Conservative Party minister Ann Widdecombe as police launch a murder investigation.
Fri, 10 Jul 2026 16:05:42 +0100Police launch murder inquiry following death of former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe
A murder investigation is under way following the death of former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe.
Fri, 10 Jul 2026 15:15:18 +0100UK's longest serving soap star dies aged 94 as BBC says 'she will be greatly missed'
The UK’s longest-serving soap star, Patricia Greene, has died at the age of 94, BBC Radio 4 confirmed earlier today (Friday, July 10).
Fri, 10 Jul 2026 15:14:03 +0100Parents could save hundreds as school uniform rules change across England
From September 2026, schools across England will face new legal limits on the number of compulsory branded uniform items they can require pupils to wear
Fri, 10 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0100Morrisons confirms major roll out of new feature across 500 supermarkets
The scheme will eventually cover Morrisons’ network of approximately 500 supermarkets over the next few months.
Fri, 10 Jul 2026 06:38:15 +0100Former Conservative MP and broadcaster Ann Widdecombe dies aged 78
Ann Widdecombe, who had a long career as a Conservative MP, has died at the age of 78
Fri, 10 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0100Keir Starmer hints at bank holiday if England win World Cup (Do you agree?)
Sir Keir Starmer has hinted that there could be a bank holiday in England if the national team win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Thu, 09 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0100PCC column: How our youth crime prevention scheme is making a difference
Avon and Somerset Police launch Pol Ed in all schools to tackle youth crime, violence, and exploitation with free, PSHE-aligned resources for teachers.
Thu, 09 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0100Jean Rees painting displayed during Bridgwater exhibition
Original Jean Rees painting loaned by Royal South West Academy is centrepiece at Chandos Society Exhibition, Bridgwater Arts Centre, celebrating local art.
Thu, 09 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0100South West housebuilder raises record charity total for late colleague
David Wilson Redrow South West raises record £84,651 for St Margaret’s Hospice, honouring late colleague Ben Smith and supporting local palliative care.
Thu, 09 Jul 2026 16:39:00 +0100Somerset driver arrested after police chase ends in garden escape bid
A driver was arrested after a police chase across Somerset ended with a failed garden escape attempt
Thu, 09 Jul 2026 16:10:00 +0100Coroner rules on death of Somerset sex offender who was wanted by police
The coroner has concluded she cannot determine how a sex offender, who was wanted by the police, came by his death
Thu, 09 Jul 2026 15:50:16 +0100Key route into Bridgwater could remain closed for some time amid gas leak
An update has been provided after the A39 has been closed near Bridgwater town centre following an incident
Thu, 09 Jul 2026 13:27:20 +0100Key route near Bridgwater town centre closed after incident - LIVE
A stretch of the A39 near Bridgwater Town Centre has been closed this afternoon (July 9).
Thu, 09 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0100A first look inside new gym opening inside part of Bridgwater Co-op store
New gym is set to open inside a recently refurbished shop in Bridgwater, with an idea of what it will look like now revealed
Thu, 09 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0100Somerset man jailed for robbery after stealing bottle of vodka
Corban Strudwick has been jailed for 18 months after a robbery at an Esso garage in Bridgwater
Thu, 09 Jul 2026 10:20:05 +0100'Total Eclipse of the Heart’ singer Bonnie Tyler dies aged 75
Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler known for hits Total Eclipse of the Heart and Holding Out for a Hero, has died aged 75
Thu, 09 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0100Ryanair calls for major change to avoid more flight chaos this summer
Around 30,000 Ryanair passengers faced delays of up to three hours on 155 flights
Thu, 09 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0100Oasis 'to return' for 2027 tour with planned shows at Etihad and Knebworth
Reports suggest that Oasis is preparing to announce a 2027 tour, with shows planned in Manchester as well as the iconic Knebworth Park.
Wed, 08 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0100When will the July heatwave end? Met Office reveals how long we've got left
The Met Office has shared when the current July 2026 heatwave is going to end, amid amber heat health alerts being issued for some areas
Wed, 08 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0100Column: Two years on, I remain honoured to be Bridgwater's MP
Sir Ashley Fox MP outlines his work for Bridgwater constituency - tackling antisocial behaviour, NHS access, rural issues and supporting local communities.
Wed, 08 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0100Column: Bridgwater residents should have their say on this consultation
Somerset Council launches a consultation on Celebration Mile traffic flow in Bridgwater. Residents and businesses can have their say until 11 August 2026.
Wed, 08 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0100Somerset Chamber unveils Future 30 awards for young talent
Somerset Chamber launches Somerset Future 30 awards to honour young professionals under 30 making an impact in business and community. Nominations now open.
Wed, 08 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0100Brian Smedley column: Exploring odd conspiracy theories
Satirical column by Cllr Brian Smedley explores conspiracy theories, social media misinformation, Reform UK gains, and the need for scrutiny in local democracy.
Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:00:00 +0100Somerset Council sets out affordable rural homes being built and planned
To mark Rural Housing Week, Somerset Council has laid out how many affordable rural homes are being planned and delivered in the county.
Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:00:00 +0100Taxi fares could soon rise across Somerset under new plans
Somerset Council is consulting on proposals to increase the maximum fares that hackney carriage taxis can charge across the county
Wed, 08 Jul 2026 13:25:00 +0100Somerset woman, 61, was unlawfully killed by sex offender ex-partner, inquest finds
Kelly Faiers, who was found dead at the home of Richard Scatchard, has been declared to have been unlawfully killed, an inquest has heard
Wed, 08 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0100Public consultation opens for new Bridgwater school plans
Public consultation has opened on plans for a new Haygrove School
Wed, 08 Jul 2026 09:49:40 +0100150 'potentially lethal' baby products found to be sold widely on UK marketplace
Which? found that baby products on UK platforms like Amazon, eBay, TikTok Shop and Wish were "potentially lethal"
Wed, 08 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0100Warning over ‘chilling’ speeds as UK drivers clocked at up to 167mph
Rod Dennis, RAC senior policy officer, said: "Our analysis shows some of the frankly chilling speeds some people are prepared to drive at"
Tue, 07 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0100What's on in Bridgwater and Burnham: July 8-14, 2026
Discover events in Burnham-on-Sea and Bridgwater: Matilda the Musical Jr, Emma Forrester’s author talk, Sedgemoor Vintage Club Show, and The Monkees Tale.
Tue, 07 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0100Seven-bed barn conversion with 18.5 acres listed in Merridge for £1.6m
Seven-bedroom barn conversion in Merridge, Quantock Hills, for sale at £1.6m. Set on 18.5 acres with annexe, gym, double garage. Greenslade Taylor Hunt.