Bridgwater Mercury

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Your Health, Your Choice: Why exercise alone may not lead to weight loss
Exercise alone is unlikely to cause weight loss, research shows, but it’s vital for long-term weight management, health, and wellbeing in the UK.

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Somerset Film invites young people to help service shape its future
Somerset Film invites under-25s and youth organisations to join its advisory panel on 17 February, shaping future creative services in Somerset.

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Collection of photographs showcasing Somerset's picturesque coastline
Gallery of photographs showcasing the beauty of Somerset's coast line

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Green Focus: How to show the climate some love this Valentine’s Day
The Climate Coalition’s 'For the Love of…' campaign runs from 14 February, uniting UK groups like National Trust and RSPB to tackle climate change together.

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 16:53:51 +0000
Red carpet event set to take place in Bridgwater to celebrate new film
A red carpet film event is set to take place in Bridgwater, which shines a spotlight on neurodiversity and the power of storytelling.

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 15:43:45 +0000
Experts urge drivers to prepare and take extra care as snow and ice hit UK roads
With a yellow weather warning for ice in place, drivers are being warned to take extra care on the roads.

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 15:04:00 +0000
Government to pay off 90 per cent of Somerset's special needs deficit
90 per cent of Somerset Council's special needs deficit of around £116m will be paid off by the Department for Education later this year

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:36:47 +0000
Councils unite to urge government to pass smoking bill
Fifteen councils in the South-West have sent a letter to the government demanding the immediate passage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:27:00 +0000
No changes to Somerset council tax support until April 2027
Somerset Council is being taken to the High Court for a judicial review into its council tax support scheme by disabled Taunton resident Andy Mitchell

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 11:15:00 +0000
Met Office issue new ice warning as snow set to hit the UK
Somerset has been issued a new weather warning for ice, with 'little' snow also set to hit the county.

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 10:33:13 +0000
MPs urged to review HMRC Personal Allowance tax threshold for pensioners
MPs have been urged to re-examine plans to double the personal tax allowance for pensioners after more than 104,000 signed an official petition

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 10:32:07 +0000
Parents warned to stop using these Peppa Pig products due to safety hazards
Publisher Penguin Random House UK has issued an urgent product recall of specific printings of Peppa Pig and Hey Duggee books

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 10:30:52 +0000
Households urged to check their change as 50p coin sells for £83 - how to spot
With a circulating mintage of just 200,000, the coin knocked the Kew Gardens 50p off the top spot, becoming the rarest 50p in circulation.

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Clinton Rogers: Why the idea that people choose to sleep rough is wrong
Open Door Taunton supports rough sleepers, offering meals, clothing and vital services. Charity seeks volunteers amid rising homelessness in South West.

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Funding scheme opens to back walking and cycling routes in Somerset
Applications are open for the Love Your Network grant from Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, supporting community groups caring for England’s National Cycle Network.

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Peter Cox and Dom Joly announce upcoming shows in Bridgwater
Peter Cox of Go West and comedian Dom Joly announce live shows at Bridgwater's McMillan Theatre in 2026.

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 16:32:12 +0000
Pupils enjoy day of glowing creativity in the town centre
Somerset Film hosts free UV art workshops for families at The Engine Room, Bridgwater this half-term.

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 16:27:02 +0000
Police issue appeal after man assaulted 'with baseball bat' in Bridgwater street
Avon and Somerset Police are investigating an incident involving a man being assaulted with a baseball bat in Bridgwater and are appealing for the public's help.

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 13:56:00 +0000
Person taken to hospital after M5 incident in Somerset
A person was taken to hospital after a crash on the M5 Motorway between J25 (Taunton) and J24 (Bridgwater north).

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:27:52 +0000
Bridgwater MP calls for fair share on bus services
Sir Ashley Fox MP has written to Somerset Council urging it to spend some of the new Government bus cash on better services across the Bridgwater area.

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:16:00 +0000
'No finish line' for victims after serious violent crimes, Bridgwater couple says
A couple from Bridgwater has shared the impact of violent crimes, after an assault took place outside a pub last year.

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:06:01 +0000
Queen Camilla listens to 999 call on visit to Somerset
Avon and Somerset Police were subject to an official royal visit, where sexual violence was spoken about in depth.

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 11:44:00 +0000
Fixing Somerset potholes like 'trying to darn a pair of fishnet tights'
Somerset Council is dealing with unprecedented reports of potholes and other road defects in the aftermath of Storm Chandra

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Brian Smedley column: Will we see the return of Bridgwater Docks?
Bridgwater Docks restoration plans face funding and access challenges as Town Council seeks secure investment for Somerset waterways and heritage revival.

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Somerset Council seeks views on locations for EV chargers
Somerset Council seeks public input on £3.78m government-funded electric vehicle charging points. Suggest locations for new EV chargers under the LEVI scheme.

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 15:47:14 +0000
RECAP: Heavy M5 traffic between Taunton and Bridgwater
There are long queues on the M5 Motorway between J25 (Taunton) and J24 (Bridgwater) today (February 11).

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 15:16:45 +0000
BAFTA-nominated film to be shown for free in Somerset cinemas
BAFTA-nominated film Wasteman will be shown for free in cinemas in Bridgwater and Weston-super-Mare before its official release.

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:32:06 +0000
'Major construction milestone' reached at £4 billion gigafactory
Agratas has announced that a milestone has been reached for its gigafactory in Bridgwater.

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:07:00 +0000
Somerset Council withdraws £150m of funding to support £4bn gigafactory
Somerset Council will still be delivering £150m worth of infrastructure improvements - but it will be funded in a different manner following talks

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:05:39 +0000
School previously rated 'requires improvement' gets boosted rating from Ofsted
A Bridgwater primary school, which previously had a rating of 'requires improvement', has received an updated rating from Ofsted following a recent inspection.

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000
BREAKING: £1,000 A DAY for 20 YEARS* could start TONIGHT - get 2 bets from just £1.50
Brits have a rare chance tonight to lock in £1,000 every single day for the next 20 years* by betting on one of America's most talked-about lottery games.

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 09:33:34 +0000
Somerset town holds anti-racism rally
An anti-racism demonstration has taken place in the centre of Bridgwater, highlighting residents' stance against discrimination.

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 09:47:35 +0000
Order to delete Courtsdesk data should worry anyone who cares about open justice
The order to delete Courtsdesk’s archive is not an administrative tidying-up exercise, it's an attack on open justice.

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Five-bedroom house in Bridgwater on the market for £525,000
Executive five-bedroom detached house for sale on Quantock Way, Bridgwater, £525,000. Modern fittings, double garage, near schools and town centre.

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Regular rainy spells forecast for Bridgwater this week
Bridgwater weather forecast: Expect rain, strong winds and mild temperatures from 10–14 February, with gusts up to 34 mph and highs reaching 12°C.

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Three-bedroom bungalow in North Petherton for sale for £285,000
Three-bedroom semi-detached bungalow for sale in North Petherton. £285,000 freehold, chain-free, garage, garden, gas central heating.

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:04:17 +0000
RECAP: Somerset stretch of M5 partially closed by National Highways
The M5 Motorway is partially closed south between J24 (Bridgwater North) and J25 (Taunton).

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 14:59:04 +0000
MP calls for flooding minister to protect Somerset
Bridgwater MP Sir Ashley Fox has written to flooding minister Emma Hardy demanding long-term action to make Somerset more flood-proof.

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 13:42:38 +0000
Hinkley Point fish deterrent 'highly effective'
Trials carried out by Swansea University have found that Hinkley Point C's fish deterrant is 'highly effective', according to EDF Energy.

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 14:38:00 +0000
Somerset Council 'not in territory' of going bankrupt within 12 months
Somerset Council is significantly reduced its budget gap in the space of a few months - but more work will be needed before it sets its annual budget

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 12:04:28 +0000
Bridgwater school singled out for praise by Education Secretary
A primary school has been singled out for praise by the Education Secretary.

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 10:43:15 +0000
Somerset Council denied council tax rise of more than five per cent
People in Somerset have been handed a boost in how much potential council tax will be paid after the government rejected a tax rise of more than 5%.

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:56:41 +0000
15 Somerset schools set to merge from September
Primary, Secondary and all-through schools in Somerset could be brought together as part of a merger between two education trusts.

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000
What's on in Bridgwater and Burnham: February 10-16, 2026
Discover top events in Bridgwater & Burnham-on-Sea this week: Andy Zaltzman at McMillan Theatre, Makers Market, Frankie Valli tribute, and Slackrr gig.

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:09:55 +0000
Grants up for grabs to fund local projects in town
Bridgwater Town Council opens 2026–27 Community Grants Scheme for local projects. Apply for funding to support social, cultural, and environmental initiatives.

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 14:36:13 +0000
Plans submitted for 190 homes in North Petherton
An outline planning permission has been submitted for 190 homes on the edge of North Petherton.

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 11:21:06 +0000
Supermarket applies for later license after gym refurbishment
A Co-op in Bridgwater has applied to extend its hours for the sale of alcohol, with refurbishment set to get underway this month.

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 10:25:00 +0000
Hinkley Point B hits major milestone as it celebrates 50th anniversary
Hinkley Point B has celebrated a major milestone this month.

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 08:28:04 +0000
'Flooding and disruption to travel' warning as weather latest
The whole of Somerset is bracing itself for yet another weather warning today (Monday, February 9).

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Your Health, Your Choice: Why isometric exercise works so well
Discover the benefits of isometric exercise - joint-friendly, equipment-free exercises like planks and wall sits to boost fitness and lower blood pressure.

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