News

As spring brings brighter weather, many people naturally feel more active and optimistic. But illnesses like COVID-19 haven’t gone away, and for some, the risks remain very real.

42% of people in Somerset have already been vaccinated this Spring but the virus spreads easily all year round and can be very dangerous and even life threatening for vulnerable people such as those who are immunosuppressed and those who live in a care home for older adults.

That’s why the NHS in Somerset is encouraging eligible people to book their spring booster when invited and reminding families and representatives with responsibility for care home residents to return consent forms where needed.

To book: Call 119 or visit https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services/book-covid-19-vaccination/ 

Warmer weather doesn’t lower the risk – News release 120526 FINAL

With the arrival of the summer season, a collaborative community effort, organised and funded by the Parish Council, has brought fresh colour and life to the surroundings of Blake Hall.  Thanks to the dedication of TWiG and several local groups—including the Scouts, students from nearby schools, and residents of Burnworthy House—the flower troughs around the hall have been carefully replanted and revitalised.

This initiative reflects the strong sense of community spirit in the area. Volunteers of all ages contributed their time and energy, from preparing the soil to selecting and arranging a vibrant mix of seasonal flowers. The result is a welcoming and visually uplifting display for residents and visitors alike.

Beyond enhancing the appearance of Blake Hall, the project also provided an opportunity for people to come together, share skills, and take pride in their local environment. As the flowers bloom over the coming months, they will stand as a reminder of what can be achieved through teamwork and community involvement.  Our thanks to all who participated!

The Reach youth team has brought a wonderful burst of colour and community spirit to the village this year, with our young people proudly filling the hanging baskets that brighten our streets. Their enthusiasm, care, and pride in looking after the place they call home is truly inspiring. By taking the lead, they are showing how small acts of kindness and teamwork can make a big difference to the look and feel or our shared spaces. We hope residents will join them by giving the baskets water and attention as they pass, helping to keep them thriving throughout the summer. Together, we can nurture a village we are all proud of, one where everyone plays a part and where our young people know their efforts are valued and appreciated. Thanks to TWiG for their support and collaboration with this project too.

A303 westbound: Prophets Lane to Hayes End Roundabout – Overnight works

National Highways are undertaking resurfacing/patching between A303 Prophets Lane to Hayes End Roundabout westbound carriageway. This will maintain and improve safety for everyone using the road and reduce the need for any unplanned closures.

We’ll be working weeknights (Monday – Friday) between 9pm and 6am only. This is when there is least traffic on the road. During the day and at the weekend the road will be open as usual.

Works information

The following westbound closures will be in place weeknights (9pm – 6am) from Tuesday 26^th May.  Access to frontages and emergency service vehicles will be maintained throughout.

26 May – 28 May

Westbound closures from Prophets Lane to Hayes End Roundabout.

Diversion: A303 westbound traffic will be diverted off via Prophets Lane WB Exit slip, follow the A356 to Crewkerne, A30 to Chard, Victoria Avenue and A358 to rejoin the A303 at Southfields Roundabout.  A well signed diversion route will be in place.   Please plan ahead and allow extra time for your journeys.

Dates may change at short notice due to poor weather conditions or operational reasons. If we’re unable to complete our work as planned, we may need to continue beyond the dates stated above.  We have a contingency shift booked on 29^th May if required.

You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England webpage. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.

Help us to spread the word

Please help us to make local residents aware of the work by sharing this update. Please share this message with your connections and network, as well as on your own channels.

Any questions?  If you have any queries or comments about the work, or would like further information please contact National Highways Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000 or by email: info@nationalhighways.co.uk

Somerset Council is creating a new Somerset Connectivity and Integrated Transport Strategy (SCITS).

Building on the work already done for Local Transport Plan 4, SCITS is about making it easier for people to get around by making different types of transport work better together. It will look at how people travel day‑to‑day, how they could mix different ways of getting around (like walking, buses, cycling, or trains), and what infrastructure and services they need for access.

Instead of planning transport projects in isolation, SCITS will help the Council plan improvements that link up across entire corridors and areas.

The development of SCITS follows the publication of the Government’s Better Connected: A Strategy for Integrated Transport. SCITS will closely align with the strategy and focus on how people experience Somerset’s transport system overall, rather than looking at each type of transport separately.

Overall, SCITS will help Somerset Council set clear transport priorities, secure funding, and create a strong pipeline of future transport projects to improve connectivity across our most important transport corridors.

• • The consultation is an opportunity to shape transport policy and delivery over the next 20 years

• • Your response will represent the wants and needs of the residents and businesses in your LCN area, therefore it must seek to be as inclusive as possible

• • It should not be personal or single issue led, there is space for suggestions and ideas but we need to capture all the issues

• • This is an opportunity to shape what the Council will do before any decisions or plans have been agreed

• • This engagement questionnaire is part of the collection of data and evidence, we will be using it alongside traffic data, planning, health and economic information and projections as well as engaging with mode, accessibility, network and safety specialists.

• • Once the Strategy is prepared, we will be consulting with the general public, that may directly reference the thoughts and/or ideas contained within your responses.  

Here is the link: Connectivity Plan Consultation – Somerset Council – Citizen Space

The consultation is open until Friday 22^nd May 2026.

Please email the Transport Policy Team with any questions or queries: transportpolicy@somerset.gov.uk

The TWiG group are holding a Plant and Eco Fair on Saturday 16th May from 2.00pm in St Peter & St Paul’s Church, South Petherton.  They will be joined by Natalie Barnett of Somerset Wildlife Trust who will be on hand to talk about the Act to Adapt Climate Adaptation Plan, Barbara Lakin of Somerset Council will have information about the Somerset Local Nature Recovery Strategy, Bumblebee Conservation, and Reimagining the Levels who kindly provided us with plants for the hedgerows which they also came along to help us plant.  The Community Shed will be bringing lots of goodies and Knole Pit Meadow will have a wonderful deadhedge to display. And of special note will be the Junior School with their Lost Words artworks, and we’ll be running activities for the children and their families.  Keeping fingers crossed for a lovely sunny day!

Wessex Water is investing more than £10.6 million to upgrade the water recycling centre at South Petherton, off The Droveway.
This work, which will see equipment at the site enhanced, as well as maintenance of existing assets, will begin on Tuesday 5 May 2026 and is expected to take approximately 15 months to complete.

How will the work affect you?

All construction activity is being carried out within the existing boundaries of the water recycling centre. A construction compound will be located within an adjacent private field.
Access will be maintained for residents, but it may be delayed at times, for example when deliveries are being made to the site. Please speak to our on-site team with any specific access requirements.
The public rights of way into the field housing our compound will also be closed for the duration of the scheme, but alternative rights of way will remain open. We have trimmed back some trees and removed some hedgerow to assist with access to the site from the field, but this will be replanted when the scheme is complete.
There may be some noise disruption while this work is carried, but every effort will be made to keep this to a minimum.
You can continue to use your sewerage services as normal unless we tell you otherwise.

What should you do?

You do not need to do anything. For security reasons, we will install an alarm system at our construction compound. If the alarm sounds when the site is unoccupied, or if you have any further questions about our work, please call 0345 600 4 600 or visit wessexwater.co.uk/contact-us
If you are a business or other non-household property you will need to contact your water retailer with any enquiries. You can find their contact details on your most recent water bill.

💧 Do you have a query about your water bill, how to save water and prevent blockages, or your water and sewerage services?

@wessexwater will be holding a drop-in session at South Petherton Library, 3 St James’s Street, South Petherton TA13 5BS on Thursday 11 June to answer all of your water related questions. This session will run between 10am-12pm

👉 To find out more, visit: https://www.wessexwater.co.uk/community-drop-ins

Try a free bowls session on Saturday mornings at 10.30am from 18th April to 23rd May 2026 – just turn up!

Give Bowls a try at South Petherton Bowling Club

South Petherton Bowling Club are at Lightgate Lane Recreation Ground, behind the tennis courts.

Email: southpethertonbowlingclub@gmail.com

Please wear flat soled footwear.

Community Conversations poster March 26 RSV OVER 75 POSTER (3)