Bridgwater Mercury
Thu, 26 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000South West ambulances record faster winter response times
Ambulance response times for heart attack and stroke patients in South West England hit record lows, improving by 38 minutes despite rising NHS demand.
Thu, 26 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Clinton Rogers column: The downside of a convenience-driven lifestyle
Clinton Rogers explores how ATM invention sparked rising impatience, takeaway culture, and services like Deliveroo, Amazon Prime and drone delivery.
Thu, 26 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Apprenticeships unveiled to support Somerset gigafactory workforce
A new battery manufacturing apprenticeship unit launches in Somerset to boost skills, jobs, and EV supply chains, backed by Skills England and Agratas.
Wed, 25 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Brian Smedley column: A tribute to the outgoing Bridgwater town clerk
Bridgwater Town Clerk David Mears departs after leading council reforms since 2018, restoring local powers and services; next role: Poole, Dorset.
Wed, 25 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000South West Coast Path upgrade reshapes how coastline is explored
The King Charles III England Coast Path opens, creating the world’s longest managed coastal trail. South West Coast Path improvements boost access and nature.
Wed, 25 Mar 2026 16:44:33 +0000Police issue appeal to find missing 14-year-old last seen in Bridgwater
Police have issued an appeal for a missing 14-year-old who was last seen in Bridgwater.
Wed, 25 Mar 2026 16:20:00 +0000Residents in Somerset to pay more council tax than national average
Residents in Somerset will be paying more council tax than the national average, government statistics have confirmed.
Wed, 25 Mar 2026 14:55:00 +0000Flooding campaign group pushes for more permanent pumps on Somerset Levels
The Environment Agency is being pressed to invest in further pumps as Somerset continues its recovery from Storm Chandra
Wed, 25 Mar 2026 14:09:31 +0000Somerset Council generated more than £500,000 in bus lane fines over three years
Data shows that Somerset Council has generated over £500,000 in bus lane fines over the past three years.
Wed, 25 Mar 2026 13:11:14 +0000Dance anthem tops charts after being remixed by Bridgwater duo
A classic dance anthem is back in the spotlight after topping the charts.
Wed, 25 Mar 2026 12:17:00 +0000Blind veteran 'buzzing' to run his first marathon
A blind veteran from Somerset is 'buzzing' ahead of taking on his first ever marathon.
Wed, 25 Mar 2026 11:00:36 +0000Town council 'unable to support' application to replace Poundland with 24-hour gym
Bridgwater Town Council said that it was unable to support an application to convert Bridgwater's Poundland store into a 24-hour gym.
Wed, 25 Mar 2026 10:01:57 +0000Town council supports plans for nine flats in former bank site
Bridgwater Town Council has supported an application for new flats in the town centre.
Wed, 25 Mar 2026 11:09:28 +0000When does the National Minimum Wage go up and how much will it be?
Millions of the lowest paid workers will see a welcome boost to their pay as minimum wage rates increase on April 1, the Government has announced.
Tue, 24 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000What the weather is set to do in Bridgwater this week
Met Office forecasts changeable weather in Bridgwater this week, with rain, sunny spells, strong winds and temperatures between 3°C and 14°C.
Tue, 24 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Three-bed house in Bridgwater development for sale for £269,500
Modern three-bedroom detached house for sale in Malvern Close, Bridgwater. £269,500 guide price. Garage, west-facing garden, Bower Manor location.
Tue, 24 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Four-bedroom Georgian home for sale in Westonzoyland for £330,000
Georgian four-bedroom detached house for sale in Westonzoyland, Bridgwater, £330,000. Period features, planning permission for annexe.
Tue, 24 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000RNLI crews called out twice in one night at Burnham-on-Sea
Burnham RNLI crews respond to two incidents on 21 March, both false alarms with good intent. Everyone reported safe. Also assisted with collapsed man.
Tue, 24 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000RNLI rescue man after emergency incident in sea off Burnham
Burnham RNLI crews responded to emergency incident on March 20, after man entered water near town pier.
Tue, 24 Mar 2026 13:41:18 +0000Celebrity judges on the lookout for the tastiest food and drink in Somerset
Food and drink producers across Somerset are being invited to submit their entries for a prestigious awards ceremony judged by celebrities.
Tue, 24 Mar 2026 13:08:00 +0000Eight-bedroom HMO near bus station to go ahead despite parking concerns
Somerset councillors narrowly voted to grant permission for an eight-bedroom house of multiple occupation (HMO) near the town centre
Tue, 24 Mar 2026 10:22:00 +0000£350,000 committed to clearing Somerset gullies to prevent flooding
Around 25,000 gullies across Somerset will now be cleared twice a year, reducing the risk of flooding on key roads across the county
Tue, 24 Mar 2026 09:50:00 +0000EDF announces leadership changes as current CEO stepping down after 40 years
EDF has announced a leadership change in its UK nuclear business after the previous CEO, Stuart Crooks steps down after 40 years of service in the industry.
Tue, 24 Mar 2026 09:38:00 +0000More than £770,000 committed for future dredging on Somerset Levels
More than £770,000 will be spent over the next 12 months on dredging to protect Somerset homes, businesses and key transport links from flooding
Mon, 23 Mar 2026 13:16:35 +0000Met Office warning of 'big change' to UK weather this week - here's what to expect
Hail, thunder, and even snow are on the cards as the UK faces a sudden return to wintry weather.
Mon, 23 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000What's on in Bridgwater and Burnham: March 24-30, 2026
Discover events in Bridgwater and Burnham: Final Cut Pro X workshop, Toyah live at McMillan Theatre, ABBA tribute at Princess Theatre and community café.
Mon, 23 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000New Somerset campaign launched to raise awareness of strangulation risks
Avon and Somerset PCC Clare Moody launches Ministry of Justice-backed campaign warning of serious health risks of non-fatal strangulation in young adults.
Mon, 23 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000What's on in Bridgwater and Burnham: March 17-23, 2026
Discover top events in Bridgwater and Burnham-on-Sea, including toddler groups, comedy with Tom Ward, Disney’s Frozen Jr, and Metal to the Masses Somerset.
Mon, 23 Mar 2026 16:20:00 +0000Bridgwater residents to play 'key role' in deciding how £20 million will be used
People in Bridgwater will have a key role in deciding how £20 million in government funding can be used to improve their community.
Mon, 23 Mar 2026 15:46:00 +0000150 new homes approved near Somerset's £4bn 'gigafactory'
Bloor Homes South West has secured outline planning permission to build 150 houses within two miles of the Gravity enterprise zone
Mon, 23 Mar 2026 15:30:00 +0000Council refuse plans for new travellers site near Bridgwater
The council have rejected plans for a new gypsy travellers site which would have been built near Bridgwater.
Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:45:00 +0000Accountant inspired by daughter to run back-to-back marathons
A Bridgwater accountant has been inspired by her daughter to run back-to-back marathons.
Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:24:28 +0000Woman subjected to 'unwanted conduct of a sexual nature' by male officer
A female police officer was subjected to "unwanted conduct of a sexual nature" by a male Avon and Somerset Police officer, a hearing will be told.
Mon, 23 Mar 2026 12:59:00 +0000Somerset MPs urge government to "secure long-term future" of carnivals
Rising energy and insurance cost are threatening the future of Somerset's carnivals, with local MPs calling on the government to provide support
Mon, 23 Mar 2026 11:57:00 +000023 new council houses coming to growing Somerset village near Quantock Hills
Somerset Council and Tilia Homes have entered into a £3.4m deal to deliver 23 new council houses near the Cricketer Farm estate in Nether Stowey
Mon, 23 Mar 2026 11:06:21 +0000New Starbucks set to open in Bristol Airport later this month
A NEW Starbucks will be opening at the end of this month, just inside the terminal entrance doors at Bristol Airport.
Mon, 23 Mar 2026 10:30:00 +0000Somerset fire crews battle several blazes and rescue trapped casualty after crash
Somerset fire crews were called out to tackle multiple fires and rescue people from their vehicles after crashes over the past few days.
Mon, 23 Mar 2026 13:13:48 +0000UK homeowners issued £20,000 fine warning over making this change to your garden
Brits are being urged to check the restrictions and permissions of some garden buildings to avoid hefty fines.
Mon, 23 Mar 2026 13:12:11 +0000Major UK retailer to leave the high street for good as it closes remaining stores
Major retailer Game is to exit the UK high street as it closes down its last 3 stores.
Sun, 22 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Bridgwater planning decisions, March 8-14, 2026
Here are the latest planning decisions made in and around Bridgwater.
Sun, 22 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Bridgwater planning applications: March 8-14, 2026
Here are the latest planning applications in and around Bridgwater.
Sat, 21 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Your Health, Your Choice: Could Somerset become a Blue Zone?
Older adults in Liverpool create their own 'Blue Zone' by strength training and building community, showing longevity habits can thrive in the UK.
Sat, 21 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000New Highbridge tattoo and piercing studio opens doors
Dermoda Studio and Training opens in Highbridge, offering custom tattoos, body piercing, laser tattoo removal and CPD-accredited training courses.
Sat, 21 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0000Somerset Camera Club members take photos of the 'wrong seasons'
This week, the members of Somerset Camera Club have been taking photos of the 'wrong seasons' i.e. photographs that could pass for a different season.
Fri, 20 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Public vote launched to find favourite independent shops in Bridgwater
Vote now in the Bridgwater and Burnham’s Favourite Independent Shops 2026 competition, organised by Sir Ashley Fox MP. Voting open until 5 April.
Fri, 20 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Strike action ends at South West mental health charity
Second Step mental health charity staff in South West end 27-day strike after winning improved pay, extra leave, and official UNISON union recognition.
Fri, 20 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Cycling scheme for Bridgwater children expands to even more schools
Bridgwater on the Move expands safe cycling training for year five and six pupils, promoting active travel and reducing school-run traffic.
Fri, 20 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Tax changes to impact thousands of South West sole traders
From April 2026, 83,000 South West sole traders and landlords must comply with HMRC’s Making Tax Digital for income tax.
Fri, 20 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000Bridgwater vet appointed trustee of African wildlife foundation
Bridgwater vet Louise Ash, of Quantock Veterinary Hospital, named trustee and veterinary advisor for Gambian Wildlife Foundation, aiding African animal welfare.
Fri, 20 Mar 2026 17:55:00 +0000How more than £1m is being spent to improve 16 Somerset GP surgeries
Thousands of additional GP appointments can soon be offered across Somerset as 16 local surgeries begin to benefit from £1.14m of government investment