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News
roundup
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Somerset Council is keeping 82 bus services on the road this year helping more people to bus it to work, school or for pleasure.
The Council subsidises the bus routes which wouldn’t otherwise exist, helping to link communities across Somerset.
About £2 million from the Government’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) supports around 30% of these routes, the rest are funded from the Council’s public transport budget.
Beautiful Somerset is back on the big screen, thanks to a new Swedish psychological thriller filmed largely on stunning Exmoor.
‘Unmoored’ will be available on major streaming platforms from mid-September, and possibly some local cinemas from mid-August.
 Work is continuing on key Glastonbury Town Deal projects which aim to improve access for residents and visitors, both in the town and across the surrounding landscape.
These include the Robert Richards Initiative, named after and dedicated to the first Chair of the Glastonbury Town Deal Board, and the St Brigid’s Chapel and Field project.
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Community celebrations marked the finale of an ambitious project to create a wall of colour in Bridgwater.
St John Street / Broadway Brick Project has transformed a bare facade at the junction of the two streets into a giant painted patchwork, created by community groups and individuals.
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The efforts and achievements of more than 430 Somerset children looked after and care leavers have been celebrated at this year’s Annual Achievement Awards.
Children and young people were recognised for their efforts through nominations from social workers, foster carers, leaving care workers, schools and other Children’s Services professionals.
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Somerset Council is inviting primary school children across the county to dive into a world of imagination and discovery with the Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge 2025.
Launched this month in libraries, this year’s theme — Story Garden: Adventures in Nature and the Great Outdoors — celebrates the magical bond between storytelling and the natural world. Children aged 4 to 11 are encouraged to visit their local library, sign up for the challenge, and set off on a reading journey like no other.
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Somerset Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP), part of the wider Avon and Somerset VRP, is proud to announce the launch of an ambitious programme of pop-up youth hubs aimed at improving safety and reducing the risk of serious violence among young people in key locations across the county.
Whilst Somerset remains a safe place to live, the initiative is a direct response to rising serious violence trends across the UK since 2014 and aligns with the Home Office’s Serious Violence Strategy, which promotes a public health approach to violence prevention.
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Somerset Council is delighted to recommission a Race, Interfaith and Belief Service that will continue to support and empower diverse communities across Somerset, reinforcing its long-term commitment to inclusion, equality, and community cohesion across the county.
The newly awarded contract will run until 2029 and aims to build on the significant progress already achieved by local organisations working in this area.
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Image courtesy of APHA
Avian flu has been detected in wild birds in Somerset. For your safety, do not touch or handle any sick or dead birds.
Please report sightings to the Defra helpline at 03459 33 55 77 or online via GOV.UK’s Report dead wild birds page. Stay alert and help prevent the spread.
If you’re visiting friends or family abroad—even in familiar places—diseases like malaria and typhoid can still pose risks, especially if you have sickle cell trait or disease.
Protect yourself and loved ones by taking simple precautions before you travel.
For vaccination recommendations and information on local outbreaks, check travelhealthpro.org.uk.
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Image courtesy of Octagon Theatre / Westlands
The Octagon Theatre and Westlands Entertainment Venue in Yeovil are working with local, and national arts practitioners and local organisations to bring free creative activities and live theatre to residents this Summer, as part of their Play Day initiative.
The theme for this year’s national initiative is: ‘Spaces for Play’, highlighting the vital importance of accessible inclusive spaces where children and young people have opportunities to play freely, spending time, and connecting with friends.
Some slush ice drinks include glycerol as a sugar substitute. If young children consume too much glycerol, it can lead to sickness, headaches, low blood sugar, and even shock or unconsciousness.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) advises that children under 7 should avoid slushies with glycerol, and those under 10 should have no more than one 350ml serving. Always check the drink’s glycerol content before purchase—if unsure, don’t buy.
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