Bridgwater Mercury
Thu, 19 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Bridgwater electrical apprentice in the running for national award
Gracie Donaghy, a Bridgwater electrical apprentice, reaches the Screwfix Trade Apprentice semi-finals, selected from 3,000 UK and Ireland applicants.
Thu, 19 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Children's charity opens new home within Bridgwater community centre
Ups and Downs Southwest opens new premises at Victoria Park Community Centre, Bridgwater, supporting children with Down syndrome. Mayor Kathy Pearce attends.
Thu, 19 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Sir Ashley Fox backs bike recycling charity in Bridgwater
Sir Ashley Fox MP backs Bridgwater charity On Your Bike, which recycles bikes, offers repairs, training and employment support, and seeks new trustees.
Thu, 19 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000NSPCC reports increase in online child abuse image offences in South West
NSPCC data shows a rise in UK online child abuse image offences, with Snapchat and Meta platforms implicated. Charity urges tougher tech and government action.
Thu, 19 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Bridgwater shopping centre spreading spring cheer with events
Angel Place Shopping Centre in Bridgwater hosts spring community events, including Easter workshops, Kindness Day, and support for local independent retailers.
Thu, 19 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Clinton Rogers: Does Somerset have the infrastructure for new housing?
Somerset faces rapid population growth and new housing developments despite UK falling birth rates, raising concerns over NHS, GP and infrastructure strain.
Wed, 18 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Column: How we made contact with Canada to celebrate a Bridgwater first
Bridgwater marks 100 years since receiving the first transatlantic short-wave radio broadcast from Drummondville, Canada, at its Marconi station.
Wed, 18 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Popular South West beer wins gold at International Brewing Awards
Butcombe Brewing Co’s Butcombe Original wins gold at International Brewing Awards, named South West’s top cask ale, beating Doom Bar and Tribute.
Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:38:20 +0000Construction underway on manufacturing plant in Somerset
Construction is underway on a new manufacturing facility in Bridgwater.
Wed, 18 Mar 2026 14:22:40 +0000Primary school raises more than £1k to send school bags to children in need
A school near Bridgwater has raised over £1000 and packed 48 school bags for charity.
Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:36:00 +0000Unions protest major changes to Somerset council housing
Major changes to how Somerset's council housing stock is managed have cleared the first hurdle - despite trade union warning that it could harm tenants.
Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:13:37 +0000Public events planned to discuss future of nuclear site
The future of Hinkley Point A is up for public discussion.
Wed, 18 Mar 2026 10:03:14 +0000Bridgwater launches bid to be UK Town of Culture
Bridgwater has entered the race to become the UK's town of culture.
Wed, 18 Mar 2026 12:29:59 +0000Tesco expands in-store feature to more UK shops under new trial
Tesco has begun installing more Evri-branded lockers in some UK locations under a new trial
Wed, 18 Mar 2026 12:16:19 +0000Dragons Den star steps in to rescue homeware company with 93 UK stores
Theo Paphitis featured on Dragons Den from the show's inception in 2005 until 2013 when he left to focus on his business empire
Wed, 18 Mar 2026 12:15:00 +0000UKHSA warns meningitis cases are rising amid 'explosive' outbreak
The chairman of the National Pharmacy Association said there was currently no stock of meningitis B vaccines for people to pay for privately.
Wed, 18 Mar 2026 11:13:14 +0000Blippi announces new Be Like Blippi UK tour as dates revealed
Audience members are encouraged to wear orange Blippi glasses and join in the fun as the cast invites everyone to "be like Blippi."
Tue, 17 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Picturesque four-bedroom home for sale in Nether Stowey for £475k
Four-bedroom 1950s semi-detached house for sale in Nether Stowey, Somerset, £475,000. Refurbished, stunning gardens, near village amenities and schools.
Tue, 17 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Four-bed home overlooking country park in Bridgwater for sale for £350k
Four-bedroom detached house for sale in Wilstock village, Bridgwater, £350,000. Features private parking, garage, EPC C, near M5 and local amenities.
Tue, 17 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Sunny skies forecast by Met Office for Bridgwater this week
Met Office forecasts a sunny week for Bridgwater, with temperatures peaking at 17C. Expect mild winds and medium UV levels.
Tue, 17 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Two bands heading to Bridgwater Arts Centre later this year
Legendary musicians Jim Cregan and Robbie McIntosh bring their acclaimed bands to Bridgwater Arts Centre for live rock and acoustic concerts.
Tue, 17 Mar 2026 16:43:32 +0000More than £1m investment into luxury lodges and spa in time for busiest period
More than £1 million has been invested into family-owned Windmill Retreat Lodges, Spa, and Estate, in time for its busiest period of the year.
Tue, 17 Mar 2026 16:22:00 +0000New jobs coming to Bridgwater as industrial units near M5 approved
New industrial units will be created in the next 12 months after Somerset Council approved plans to expand the Peninsula 23 Business Park
Tue, 17 Mar 2026 10:52:00 +0000Bridgwater MP urges Somerset Council to block new solar farm near M5
Sir Ashley Fox has urged Somerset Council to refuse plans for a new solar farm near North Newton Cricket Club, citing concerns over traffic and flooding
Mon, 16 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Five-day road closure planned in Spaxton for underground work
Barford Road in Spaxton, Somerset, will close daily 8am–4pm from 23–27 March 2026 for National Grid underground substation works. Diversion in place.
Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:33:00 +0000Man in his 50s dies after incident on A39 road
A person has been pronounced dead after an early morning crash near Bridgwater this morning.
Mon, 16 Mar 2026 15:43:26 +0000Plan to add 24 plinths along canal mapping Halley's Comet journey
People walking along the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal could soon be able to track the predicted path of Halley’s Comet over the next 35 years.
Mon, 16 Mar 2026 14:58:00 +0000Somerset Council to spend nearly £162m on road repairs by 2030
Somerset Council will be able to spend more on road repairs over the next four years following a "significant uplift" in funding from central government
Mon, 16 Mar 2026 12:23:49 +0000A-road to close this week for 'safety defect repairs'
An A-road in Bridgwater is set to close this week for 'safety defect repairs'.
Mon, 16 Mar 2026 12:03:14 +0000Somerset Film call for entries for young photographers' showcase
Somerset Film invites young photographers (aged 25 and under) to enter the 2026 Showcase at Bridgwater’s The Engine Room.
Sun, 15 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Bridgwater planning applications: March 1-7, 2026
Here are the latest planning applications in and around Bridgwater.
Sun, 15 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Bridgwater planning decisions, March 1-7, 2026
Here are the latest planning decisions made in and around Bridgwater.
Sat, 14 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Your Health, Your Choice: Why investing in your health matters
Investing in health with exercise, strength training, and good nutrition can save on future care costs in the UK. Discover tips for long-term wellbeing.
Sat, 14 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Bridgwater Town Council express frustration over train services
Bridgwater Town Council urges Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to boost rail services, citing record passenger growth and key projects like Hinkley Point C.
Sat, 14 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Bridgwater company applies for change to operating licence
Johnson Metals Ltd in Bridgwater seeks upgrade from restricted to standard national operator’s licence. Residents can submit objections by 24 March.
Sat, 14 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Photographers 'turn their backs' in Somerset
Members of Somerset Camera Club have been taking photos of the back of things for this week's theme
Fri, 13 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Survey launched to tackle barriers faced by disabled people
Designability launches UK-wide survey for disabled people to shape Unfair Index, highlighting everyday barriers and driving inclusive design and policy change.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Collaborative Burnham-on-Sea charity event raises over £1,000
Moose and Rotary Club fundraiser in Burnham-on-Sea raises £1,063 for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and local charities, featuring live music and raffle.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Bridgwater set to welcome live K-Pop event in spring
Experience the UK’s first virtual K-Pop band live in Bridgwater, featuring hits from K-Pop Demon Hunters, BTS, Blackpink, and more. Book your tickets now!
Fri, 13 Mar 2026 16:27:59 +0000Somerset residents urged to be aware of delays in council tax processing
Somerset residents may not pay the increase in council tax this month
Fri, 13 Mar 2026 16:12:07 +0000LETTER: 'The time to act is now - before the water rises further'
Lyndon Smith has lived his whole life in the West Country, and for the last twenty years at Blakeway near Wedmore. He shares his views on the River Brue.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026 15:02:51 +0000Dog fouling problem surfaces in one of town's main areas
Bridgwater Town Council is asking dog owners to clean up after their pets after a rise in fouling.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026 14:04:34 +0000Farmer who lost everything aims to lift taboo on mental health
In 2021, Pip Langford lost the livestock business she’d run for twenty-five years.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026 12:08:00 +0000No start date for 'small fix' to let buses access Bridgwater railway station
Buses have been unable to properly access Bridgwater railway station since Great Western Railway's £1.2m upgrade in 2020
Fri, 13 Mar 2026 11:22:57 +0000Man jailed after being found guilty of raping a child
Daniel Bee, a 31-year-old man from Bridgwater, has been jailed after being found guilty of raping a child.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026 10:11:52 +0000Engineers get to work on second fish protection system at Hinkley Point C
Hinkley Point C's second fish deterrant system is underway.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026 10:05:00 +0000Almost 100 arrested after joint police crackdown across the South West
Almost 100 people were arrested across the South West last week after police forces joined together to target illegal drugs and child criminal exploitation.
Fri, 13 Mar 2026 09:54:00 +0000Somerset Council can't reveal where 2,333 empty homes are located
As part of National Empty Homes Week, Somerset Council is pointing home-owners towards support to bring empty homes back into use
Fri, 13 Mar 2026 09:40:54 +0000Royal portraits once hung near Bridgwater set to go under the hammer
Two rare 17th-century portraits with royal connections are set to go to auction next month.
Thu, 12 Mar 2026 12:27:24 +0000Plans for former WHSmith shop in town centre withdrawn
Plans have been withdrawn for the former WHSmith in Bridgwater.