Bridgwater Mercury

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Your Health, Your Choice: Why these fitness tests really matter
Assess your midlife fitness with these five essential movement tests for strength, balance and health. Improve independence and resilience as you age in the UK.

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Brian Smedley: The Traitors has never been more relevant to politics
BBC’s hit show The Traitors inspires political satire as ex-Tory MPs, including Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman, join Reform UK and Nigel Farage.

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 17:06:00 +0000
'High levels of misogyny' in responses to Somerset police budget survey
Avon and Somerset police and crime commissioner Clare Moody has criticised perceived "high levels of misogyny" regarding the annual budget

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 16:57:00 +0000
Policing Somerset 'like trying to cover king-sized bed with single duvet'
Avon and Somerset chief constable Sarah Crew successfully pushed for a £15 increase in the police's share of the average council tax bill

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 13:05:00 +0000
Met Office issue new weather warning for parts of Somerset
A new weather warning is set to see heavy rain hit areas across Somerset, according to the Met Office.

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000
Finalists revealed in this year's Somerset Business Awards
The finalists for the 2026 Somerset Business Awards have been revealed.

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 09:35:57 +0000
Police appeal for dashcam footage following road rage incident
Police are appealing for information following a road rage incident in Westonzoyland on January 24

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000
Free septic tank replacement scheme labelled 'dysfunctional' after lengthy delays
A SCHEME to upgrade old septic tanks in Somerset, to help lower phosphate emissions, has been labelled "dysfunctional" after delays of nearly a year and half.

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 10:11:28 +0000
'Very rare' Royal Mint Shakespeare £2 coin selling for more than £50 on eBay
A 'very rare' £2 coin has sold for 26 times its face value because of one subtle error.

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 10:09:17 +0000
EasyJet issues important warning to Brits planning holidays this year
easyJet advises passengers to check their passports before flying and replace them in good time if ripped so they can fly

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 09:58:16 +0000
Parents issued fresh warning as Nestle extends recall of baby formula due to toxin
Nestle has apologised to its customers and stated that the issue originated from an ingredient supplied by a leading supplier

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Two-bedroom Bridgwater house for sale for £192,500
Two-bedroom mid-terrace house for sale on Bristol Road, Bridgwater (£192,500). Features gardens, garage, modern kitchen, and no recent flooding.

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Bridgwater planning decisions, January 18-24, 2026
Here are the latest planning decisions made by Somerset Council in and around Bridgwater.

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Bridgwater planning applications: January 18-24, 2026
Here are the latest planning applications in and around Bridgwater submitted to Somerset Council.

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Unsettled weather forecast in Bridgwater with yellow warning in place
Yellow weather warning for rain in South West England until 9am on 3 Feb. Bridgwater forecast: unsettled weather, gusts up to 27mph, highs of 10°C.

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Four-bed Victorian home on market in Bridgwater for £300,000
Victorian four-bed house for sale in Bridgwater, Wembdon Road, £300,000. Features modern upgrades, period details, double garage, near town centre.

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 17:32:28 +0000
Sedgemoor FM takes radio on the road with ‘The Executive Commute’
Bridgwater-based radio station Sedgemoor FM have launched a new local media project, The Executive Commute.

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 16:24:04 +0000
Former Musgrove Park Hospital nurse appointed Speaker's chaplain
A former nurse at Taunton’s Musgrove Park Hospital has been appointed as chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons.

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 10:51:38 +0000
Somerset Council confirm thousands of 'defects' to roads
THOUSANDS of 'road defects' have been identified as in need of repair following damage caused by adverse weather conditions.

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 10:18:13 +0000
Villagers in Somerset could be paying less in council tax in 2026-27
People in a Quantocks village are being asked to pay less for more.

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 09:37:53 +0000
Drinkers will be left counting the cost as HMRC duty hikes hit wine, spirits and beer
Drinkers may notice notice higher prices on some of their favourite tipples this month, after an increase in alcohol duty came into force on February 1, but there is a way round it.

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 09:36:07 +0000
UK shoppers waste £3bn a year in forgotten supermarket loyalty points
Shoppers are wasting billions of pounds every year by failing to use their hard-earned loyalty points, according to new research.

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000
What's on in Bridgwater and Burnham: February 3-9, 2026
Discover Bridgwater and Burnham-on-Sea events: author Andrew Claydon talk, Brick by Brick film, Voodoo Room tribute, and Francis Dunnery’s new show.

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 15:32:00 +0000
Residents express 'no confidence' in Somerset Council's planning decisions
Somerset Communities Raging Against Poor Planning (SCRAPP)'s inaugural meeting brought together 50 representatives from 22 different areas

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 14:30:47 +0000
Chance of flooding as Met Office issues rain warning
The Met Office has warned of a "small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded", as they have issued a new rain warning for Somerset.

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 12:54:08 +0000
Police launch appeal after assault near Bridgwater
A man is wanted by police following an assault on a delivery driver near Bridgwater.

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 12:23:22 +0000
New vaccination that could keep people out of hospital this winter
Somerset people aged over 75 are being offered a little-known vaccination that could keep them out of hospital this winter.

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 11:04:37 +0000
Man from Bridgwater narrowly avoids jail after throwing KFC to prisoners
A man from Bridgwater has narrowly avoided jail time after throwing KFC to hungry prisoners over a fence at HMP Five Wells.

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 10:37:51 +0000
New Dominos set to open in Bridgwater
A new Domino's pizza location is set to open in Bridgwater next month at the Bridgwater Gateway development next to the M5.

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 10:40:00 +0000
More than 1,600 sites being considered for new Somerset homes
Somerset's new Local Plan is slowly taking shape, with Somerset Council currently assessing hundreds of proposed sites ahead of public consultation

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Dinosaur adventure show to take to the stage in Bridgwater in April
Dinosaur Adventure Live comes to Bridgwater’s McMillan Theatre in April 2026, bringing interactive puppetry, T-Rex action, and dinosaur facts for families.

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Column: Minehead’s long-awaited eco-homes are finally open
Somerset Council opens 54 eco-friendly, zero-carbon council homes in Minehead’s Rainbow Way, providing affordable housing for local residents. Find out more.

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Pawlett Royal British Legion to hold AGM in February
Pawlett Royal British Legion AGM takes place on 24 February 2026 at RBL, Old Main Road. All members and committee hopefuls welcome.

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 10:07:08 +0000
New yellow ice warning issued as temperatures expected to drop overnight
A yellow weather warning for ice has been released by the Met Office covering all of Somerset and North Somerset.

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 09:37:09 +0000
Knife crime in Avon and Somerset has third-largest decrease as homicides fall
Data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that knife crime has decreased in Somerset.

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 05:00:00 +0000
RSPCA looking to recruit animal rescue officers in Somerset
The RSPCA is recruiting animal rescue officers in Somerset, Bristol, Essex, Durham, Hertfordshire, and Bedfordshire. Apply by 6 Feb 2026.

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Stallholders wanted for Bridgwater's 2026 events programme
Bridgwater Town Council invites stallholders to join its 2026 events programme. Food traders, craft makers, and local groups can apply for stalls now.

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Brewery near Bridgwater wants to add five more goods vehicles
Butcombe Brewery Ltd seeks to add five goods vehicles at its Bridgwater site. Local residents may submit objections to the Traffic Commissioner by Feb 16.

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Column: Council tax and the cost of adult social care
Somerset faces rising council tax and reduced local services as adult social care costs soar. Discover why social care funding strains council budgets UK-wide.

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 05:00:00 +0000
NSPCC unveils Baby Steps hub to support South West parents
A redeveloped perinatal service is offering extra support to parents in the South West during the earliest days of parenthood.

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0000
Somerset Council confirms changes to communal waste collections
Somerset Council has announced changes to households who have a communal recycling collection.

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0000
Somerset Camera Club members capture reflections amid rainy weather
This week, the members of Somerset Camera Club have been taking photos of water and reflections as the wind and rain has battered Somerset.

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 05:00:00 +0000
Sir Ashley Fox: Here's how I have been lobbying the government recently
Sir Ashley Fox MP urges faster broadband for Bridgwater and rural Somerset, raises concerns over council tax hikes and Somerset Council’s financial management.

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 05:00:00 +0000
'Well-proportioned' five-bed bungalow for sale in Westonzoyland for £425k
Five-bedroom detached bungalow Hedgerow Haven in Westonzoyland, Bridgwater for sale at £425,000 via Charles Dickens Estate Agents.

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 20:58:00 +0000
Somerset Council postpones budget following central government delays
Somerset Council has postponed its annual budget setting full council following delays from central government.

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 20:54:00 +0000
11 low-cost homes approved in small village near Bridgwater
The Spaxton Community Land Trust can deliver 11 social rent homes on Peartwater Road in Spaxton - all of which will go to local residents

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 14:20:02 +0000
Former WHSmith could become 'Adult Gaming Centre'
Plans have been submitted for the former WHSmith site in Bridgwater to become an adult gaming centre.

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 14:28:04 +0000
Major incident remains in effect for Somerset - as more rain to hit county next week
A MAJOR incident remains in effect in Somerset - as the rain continues to batter the south west.

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 12:56:10 +0000
RECAP: M5 now open in North Somerset after incident
All lanes on the M5 Motorway have been stopped in North Somerset due to a police led incident.

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 12:42:01 +0000
Large Somerset areas forecast new 21-hour weather warning
Large areas of Somerset have been forecast a new yellow weather warning for rain that lasts nearly a whole day.

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