Somerset news

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People sit among 99 chairs at public installation in Victoria Tower Gardens, where only one in three seats is occupied to reflect the survival rates of the deadliest blood cancers, as Blood Cancer

Charity launches £25m appeal to double survival rates in deadly blood cancers

The National Paediatric Early Warning System (PEWS) is being rolled out in emergency departments (EDs) across England.

The National Paediatric Early Warning System (PEWS) is being rolled out in emergency departments (EDs) across England.

New NHS system to help doctors spot and treat deteriorating children faster

The Triumph 2000 Roadster, affectionately known as Bessy and similar to the car driven by Bergerac in the hit 1980s detective series, will be auctioned in Charterhouse’s classic car auction at Haynes Motor Museum on Thursday, November 19.

The Triumph 2000 Roadster, affectionately known as Bessy and similar to the car driven by Bergerac in the hit 1980s detective series, will be auctioned in Charterhouse’s classic car auction at Haynes Motor Museum on Thursday, November 19.

Classic car set to go under the hammer at Haynes Motor Museum later this month

In the South West, men are more likely to get the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep a night than women

In the South West, men are more likely to get the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep a night than women

One in four UK adults not getting NHS-recommended hours of sleep, study finds

20 new apprentices have joined SGN this autumn, taking the first step towards rewarding careers and helping deliver a safe, reliable and sustainable energy future across Britain.

20 new apprentices have joined SGN this autumn, taking the first step towards rewarding careers and helping deliver a safe, reliable and sustainable energy future across Britain.

SGN invests in its future workforce with 20 new apprentices

James, who is taking on a 100-lap Trikeathon for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance

James, who is taking on a 100-lap Trikeathon for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance

Young boy from Dorset takes on £10,000 fundraising challenge for air ambulance

Ed Killen, Jaden Valdes and Jake Chedgy

Ed Killen, Jaden Valdes and Jake Chedgy

Wessex Volleyball Under 16 squad members represent England in Denmark

The medals awarded to Miss Dorothea Mary Lynette Crewdson MM ARRC £5,000-10,000 at Charterhouse on 12th November

The medals awarded to Miss Dorothea Mary Lynette Crewdson MM ARRC £5,000-10,000 at Charterhouse on 12th November

Rare set of First World War gallantry medals to go under the hammer

Fox on a roof, one of the species volunteers might spot during PTES’ Living with Mammals this autumn.

Fox on a roof, one of the species volunteers might spot during PTES’ Living with Mammals this autumn.

Public asked to record mammal sightings in green spaces this autumn

The warning follows a summer catch-up campaign that saw 246,089 doses of the MenB vaccine administered to young people in England between July 20 and August 31.

The warning follows a summer catch-up campaign that saw 246,089 doses of the MenB vaccine administered to young people in England between July 20 and August 31.

First-year students warned not to ignore serious symptoms during freshers’ week

National law firm Foot Anstey has become the first law-firm employer partner of the Colyton Foundation's Your Future Story programme

National law firm Foot Anstey has become the first law-firm employer partner of the Colyton Foundation's Your Future Story programme

Law firm becomes first legal partner to support social mobility in South West

Classic Morris Minor and Mini Clubman cars to go under the hammer in November

Classic Rover receiving the Best Stand Award trophy from Danny Hopkins from Practical Classics and Lolly Lee

Classic Rover receiving the Best Stand Award trophy from Danny Hopkins from Practical Classics and Lolly Lee

Motoring enthusiasts from around the world gather for International Autojumble

Several places in the South West feature in new book about eerie places to visit

Small Copper butterfly

Small Copper butterfly

Butterfly Conservation

Drought could leave butterflies fighting for survival next year, experts warn

Regional adoption agencies have issued a plea for more adopters as the number of children waiting for a permanent home in the South West has risen by 48 per cent since 2021/22, while adopter registrations have fallen by 19 per cent.

Regional adoption agencies have issued a plea for more adopters as the number of children waiting for a permanent home in the South West has risen by 48 per cent since 2021/22, while adopter registrations have fallen by 19 per cent.

Number of children needing adoption in the South West increases in five years

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

Tickets selling fast for Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra's festive programme

A total of 246,089 doses of the meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine have been given since the NHS programme began on July 20, as of August 31.

A total of 246,089 doses of the meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine have been given since the NHS programme began on July 20, as of August 31.

Nearly 250,000 MenB jabs delivered by NHS to young people ahead of the uni year

Toby Heasman, Head Brewer at Hall & Woodhouse and James May

Toby Heasman, Head Brewer at Hall & Woodhouse and James May

Hall & Woodhouse launches new ale in partnership with Top Gear legend James May

Isle of Wight Literary Festival

Tickets go on sale for star-studded Isle of Wight Literary Festival next month

Visitors on the LB1 bus from West Bay to Bridport

Visitors on the LB1 bus from West Bay to Bridport

Western Gateway

Applications open for £50k Western Gateway rural transport schemes funding

Parents in the South West urged to vaccinate children at the right time to protect them and ensure they are ready to thrive at school

Parents in the South West urged to vaccinate children at the right time to protect them and ensure they are ready to thrive at school

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)

South West parents urged to vaccinate their children to protect them for school

Only one in five people in the South West (20%) are confident that young people in their local area would share information with the police if they knew someone was carrying a knife, according to UK-wide research from YouGov commissioned by

Only one in five people in the South West (20%) are confident that young people in their local area would share information with the police if they knew someone was carrying a knife, according to UK-wide research from YouGov commissioned by

One in five people believe young people would tell police if someone carried a knife

DSAA crew walking from the helicopter.

DSAA crew walking from the helicopter.

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance to mark Air Ambulance Week by praising supporters

New research has uncovered the average age that parents in the South West experience ‘parenting lasts’ – the last time they had milestone moments, such as reading a bedtime story, with their children.

New research has uncovered the average age that parents in the South West experience ‘parenting lasts’ – the last time they had milestone moments, such as reading a bedtime story, with their children.

The exact age children in the south west stop holding their parent's hand

Magna’s Royal Manor development, Portland, Dorset

Magna’s Royal Manor development, Portland, Dorset

Affordable housing

Magna Housing secures £250m for 1,500 affordable homes in Dorset and Somerset

Two DARE to BARE participants following the swim

Two DARE to BARE participants following the swim

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance

Topless swim challenge raises more than £20,000 for local air ambulance

NHS urging the public to prepare for the final bank holiday of the summer

A third of parents in the South West are sacrificing essentials for themselves to cover back-to-school costs, as half worry about the price of school uniform, new research reveals.

A third of parents in the South West are sacrificing essentials for themselves to cover back-to-school costs, as half worry about the price of school uniform, new research reveals.

South West parents feel the pinch as nearly half worry about cost of uniforms

1985 Ducati 900 Mike Hailwood Replica from the collection £8,000-10,000

1985 Ducati 900 Mike Hailwood Replica from the collection £8,000-10,000

Nearly 30 classic motorcycles to go under the hammer at museum this November

The Sport and Recreation Alliance’s prestigious Community Sport and Recreation Awards is back for 2026, with the organisation looking to recognise the very best of grassroots sport and recreation from across the country.

The Sport and Recreation Alliance’s prestigious Community Sport and Recreation Awards is back for 2026, with the organisation looking to recognise the very best of grassroots sport and recreation from across the country.

Nominate a local hero or club for the Community Sport and Recreation Awards 2026

Stefan Gabrielsson, CTEK Business Owner

Stefan Gabrielsson, CTEK Business Owner

Electric vehicles

Drivers in south west in the slow lane for the switch to fully electric vehicles

Families in the South West are still feeling the financial impact of the school holidays as they prepare children for the new term, The Children’s Society warns.

Families in the South West are still feeling the financial impact of the school holidays as they prepare children for the new term, The Children’s Society warns.

School holidays

South west families still counting cost of holidays as new school term looms

Almost half of adults in the South West are living with chronic pain, new research has revealed

Almost half of adults in the South West are living with chronic pain, new research has revealed

Almost half of South West adults live with chronic pain, new research reveals

School leavers across the region are being urged to consider a career in building materials supply as the wait for their GCSE exam results comes to an end.

School leavers across the region are being urged to consider a career in building materials supply as the wait for their GCSE exam results comes to an end.

New careers guide highlights opportunities for school leavers in the South West

St John volunteers demonstrating first aid to the public

St John volunteers demonstrating first aid to the public

St John Ambulance aiming to teach 500,000 life-saving first aid in September

HMRC is reminding families to extend their Child Benefit claims by August 31 to avoid losing payments if they have a child aged 16 to 19 who is staying in full-time, non-advanced education or approved training.

HMRC is reminding families to extend their Child Benefit claims by August 31 to avoid losing payments if they have a child aged 16 to 19 who is staying in full-time, non-advanced education or approved training.

Parents are being urged by HMRC to extend Child Benefit claims before August 31

Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum

Popular summer auto jumble event attracted thousands to New Forest museum

Regional charity appoints two new trustees to help nature and communities thrive

Aldi is supporting its charity partner, Freedom4Girls, in calling for more supermarkets to make free period products available in store toilets.

Aldi is supporting its charity partner, Freedom4Girls, in calling for more supermarkets to make free period products available in store toilets.

Aldi backs charity call to make free period products available in supermarkets

Households across the South West are being asked by Wessex Water to continue to use water wisely and cut back on non-essential use to avoid restrictions being introduced this summer.

Households across the South West are being asked by Wessex Water to continue to use water wisely and cut back on non-essential use to avoid restrictions being introduced this summer.

Residents urged by Wessex Water to cut back on water use

With 15,000+ free tickets available from the 22nd to 31st August as part of National Racehorse Week, Great British Racing will be opening its doors to the public with 85+ events available, including 21+ events on offer across the South West and Wales.

With 15,000+ free tickets available from the 22nd to 31st August as part of National Racehorse Week, Great British Racing will be opening its doors to the public with 85+ events available, including 21+ events on offer across the South West and Wales.

Great British Racing

Free family adventures await as National Racehorse Week returns this month

Modulek are presented with a signed AFC Bournemouth Ball

Modulek are presented with a signed AFC Bournemouth Ball

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance raises more than £3,400 in football challenge

Working families are being encouraged to check if they could cut the cost of childcare this Playday (5 August), as HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) latest statistics show families using Tax-Free Childcare saved an average of almost £100 a month.

Working families are being encouraged to check if they could cut the cost of childcare this Playday (5 August), as HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) latest statistics show families using Tax-Free Childcare saved an average of almost £100 a month.

Families urged to make the most of Playday with tax-free childcare this summer

Changing Lives launches Around the World Challenge to raise £249,000 to help end homelessness

Changing Lives launches Around the World Challenge to raise £249,000 to help end homelessness

Homelessness charity launches 24,901-mile Around the World Challenge

The NHS in the South West is urging people to make sure they and their families are up to date with routine vaccinations this August, as part of Immunisation Awareness Month.

The NHS in the South West is urging people to make sure they and their families are up to date with routine vaccinations this August, as part of Immunisation Awareness Month.

People urged by NHS to check vaccination status for Immunisation Awareness Month

Tony Finlay at the end of the trail

Tony Finlay at the end of the trail

South West Coast Path

Mentor completes 630-mile walk to support young people in alternative education

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance's DARE to BARE, a topless open water swim at Vobster Quay, Somerset on August 23. The August event is designed to tackle stigma around chest access during an emergency and build confidence in delivering life-saving CPR.

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance's DARE to BARE, a topless open water swim at Vobster Quay, Somerset on August 23. The August event is designed to tackle stigma around chest access during an emergency and build confidence in delivering life-saving CPR.

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance

Women set to take part in topless swim challenge to support local air ambulance

George II double gold guinea coin in the Charterhouse two day auction on August 20 and August 21, valued £2,000-3,000

George II double gold guinea coin in the Charterhouse two day auction on August 20 and August 21, valued £2,000-3,000

Rare gold coin dating back nearly 300 years going under the hammer next month

The yellow heat health alert is in effect from 9am on July 24 to 9am on July 26 across the South West.

The yellow heat health alert is in effect from 9am on July 24 to 9am on July 26 across the South West.

Yellow heat health alert issued across the South West

Win Win Series 2 flyer

Win Win Series 2 flyer

'Larger than life' contestants wanted for new series of ITV big money game show

Environment Agency officers catch and move fish in the River Tarrant, near Tarrant Monkton in Dorset

Environment Agency officers catch and move fish in the River Tarrant, near Tarrant Monkton in Dorset

Environment Agency

West Country now in a state of prolonged dry weather due to lack of rainfall

NHS urges people in their 50s to return bowel screening kits as 100 cancers found a week

NHS urges people in their 50s to return bowel screening kits as 100 cancers found a week

NHS urges people in their 50s to complete life-saving bowel screening kits

Cruising well – the 1966 Ford Thunderbird Town Hardtop coupe being sold by Charterhouse in November £10,000-15,000

Cruising well – the 1966 Ford Thunderbird Town Hardtop coupe being sold by Charterhouse in November £10,000-15,000

'Rare' Ford Thunderbird to go under the hammer at Haynes Motor Museum this year