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Journalist, newly minted Irishman. Forever chasing unicorns. Technology and Innovation Editor @businessposthq. Formerly @irishtimes. DMs are open.
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Articles by Charlie Taylor
Four generations keep family salon open for 80 years
A hairdressing salon run by the same family for four generations has celebrated its 80th anniversary. Chris and Co was opened in 1946 on Bridgwater High Street by Graham and Kathleen Hodgson in the aftermath of World War Two, and is now run by their granddaughter Sara Hill and her daughter Amelie on North Street. Hill said her grandparents would be "really pleased" to see it is still going.
William joins Ross Kemp to prepare for emergencies
The Prince of Wales and BBC Celebrity Traitors star Ross Kemp have united to help communities plan for emergencies as the world has become "more dangerous". Prince William arrived in Ilminster, Somerset, earlier to launch a new initiative called Ready Together, a National Emergency Trust project to help communities prepare for emergencies, including wildfires and flooding.
UK charity faces 'reality' of restoring education in Nepal
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Sculpting sandcastles 'more tiring than you think'
A woman competing on a new BBC show in which competitors sculpt sand art said it was a "brilliant" and "tiring" experience. Athena Cauley Yu runs a stationery and calligraphy business in Bath, Somerset, and features in BBC Two's Race Against the Tide alongside professional sand sculptor Rachel Stubbs. The series sees seven teams battle it out to build spectacular sand sculptures before the tide washes them away in St Andrews, Scotland, with all episodes available on BBC iPlayer.
The little-known Victorian sex cult where members were never allowed to leave
What happened to members of a little-known Victorian sex cult still has international interest today, an author has said. The group called Agapemonites was based at a chapel in Spaxton, near Bridgwater, which is now used as an Airbnb. People who joined the cult were told they could never leave, and many ended up taking their own lives. Their leader, Henry James Prince, claimed to be the Holy Spirit.
Historic factory could become community space
Clara Bullock; Charlie Taylor - Somerset Mon 20 April 2026 at 5:24 am UTC 2 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. The Tone Works were once at the heart of the local garment industry [Daniel Mumby] A historical cloth dyeing factory could be turned into a community space, a councillor has said. Tone Works in Wellington, Somerset, was a wool and textile dyeing factory, in use from at least the 1750s up until its closure in 2000.
Historic factory could become community space
Clara Bullock; Charlie Taylor - Somerset A historical cloth dyeing factory could be turned into a community space, a councillor has said. Tone Works in Wellington, Somerset, was a wool and textile dyeing factory, in use from at least the 1750s up until its closure in 2000. Now, people in the area are being asked to share their views on the future of the former factory.
Rare butterflies spotted after 430 trees planted
A conservation charity has planted elm trees, which are the preferred habitat of the white-letter hairstreak butterfly [Butterfly Conservation] Rare butterflies have been spotted after a group of volunteers planted hundreds of elm trees. According to The UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme, butterflies are in sharp decline, with the white-letter hairstreak species falling by 80% since the survey began in 1973.
Beverage supply chains don’t break where you expect
By Charlie Taylor, Vice President of Intermodal Sales, Odyssey Logistics In late 2025, a major aluminum coil supplier experienced a series of fires at its main production facility. The plant supplied a significant share of North American can stock, and when output dropped, beverage manufacturers with no direct relationship with this supplier had to reconfigure supply plans mid-season. A disruption two tiers upstream became their problem.
Dad to run London Marathon in memory of daughter
Harry Foster said he feels training for the marathon has brought him "closer" to Olivia [Harry Foster] A man whose 15-month-old daughter died suddenly from a rare illness said training for the London Marathon in her memory makes him "feel closer" to her. Harry Foster said his daughter Olivia was "always running around" and "having fun" before she unexpectedly died in October 2023 from acute viral myocarditis, which affects the heart.
'Happiness and relief' over new helicopter deal
The CEO of a company which supplies a defence firm says she is "ecstatic and really, really happy" it has secured a new £1bn government contract to build military helicopters. Leonardo Helicopters will build 23 new medium helicopters (NMH) for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) at its site in Yeovil, Somerset. Carole Champion, from Needles and Pins Aerospace in Somerton which supplies textiles to the aerospace industry, said the deal provided "great confidence" and "security to increase our staff".
Hope for cider makers with new parliamentary group
George Scott said cider is a "hard industry" at the moment [BBC] Cider makers say they are hopeful a new parliamentary group will help their industry thrive and survive. Sarah Dyke, MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, has been made chair of the new All Party Parliamentary Group for Cider. Cider in the UK contributes £2.7bn to the economy, supporting more than 65,000 jobs. However, Dyke said cider makers currently face "a perfect storm" of rising energy and labour costs.
Young Lord of the Flies stars 'still good friends'
A schoolboy who stars in the BBC's hit Lord of the Flies series has said the young cast are "still good friends". A four-part adaptation of William Golding's story of British boys descending into tribalism after a plane crash leaves them marooned on a tropical island is currently on TV for the first time. Tom Page-Turner, 14, who goes to school in Somerset, was among more than 30 boys to travel to Malaysia to star in the series after 7,000 actors initially applied.
The thank-you gift Lando Norris left in hotel room
Leigh Boobyer - West of England; Charlie Taylor - BBC Radio Somerset Lando Norris' childhood go-karting coach has shared the "lovely" thank-you gift the Formula 1 star left for him. Rob Dodds was invited to be a guest at a party Norris threw to thank everyone who helped him become world champion in December . And when Dodds returned to his hotel room after the event, he found a signed crash helmet from one of the star's races.
Robotic spinal surgery makes 'huge difference'
Surgeons at Musgrove Hospital say the new technology reduces risk during operations [Somerset NHS Foundation Trust] One of the first patients to undergo robotic surgery on his spine thanks to a £835,000 donation to a hospital says he would "highly recommend" the procedure. The League of Friends charity donated the money to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton to allow them to access robotic technology for spinal fusion surgeries.
Council spends thousands on ripping out new posts
Clara Bullock; Charlie Taylor - Somerset Fri, 6 February 2026 at 4:01 pm UTC 1 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. The new posts will have to be removed as they are too small [BBC] Thousands of pounds are to be spent ripping out several new metal posts in parks because they are not tall enough. The 50cm-tall bollards installed in Taunton parks should be at least twice the size so that there is no risk of people tripping over them, the council said.
Sisters behind Sequoia-backed fintech return with €2.6m bet on AI for dentists
Tech Sisters behind Sequoia-backed fintech return with €2.6m bet on AI for dentists Charlie Taylor 05:00
Children in rural areas offered vaccines from home
People in rural areas are being offered house visits to get their children vaccinated.It is part of a year-long NHS pilot in Somerset aiming to help families who face barriers to accessing GP appointments, before rolling it out across the country next year.Under the scheme, qualified nurses or midwives will receive additional training to administer vaccines safely in the home and support parents who may have questions or concerns."Making vaccinations easier to access helps ensure more...
Alphabet snaps up data centre partner Intersect in $4.75bn deal
13:08 Markets update: Iseq flat on Christmas close; Intel drops on Nvidia news 13:04 ‘It’s with my lawyers’ Kenny Jacobs responds to DAA suspension 11:00 Pints, 24-hour butlers and feeding the ducks: How rich Americans spend Christmas – and cash – in Ireland 10:47 09:13
Navy pals recreate photo after 'surreal' discovery
Two engineers on board HMS Iron Duke discovered their dads also served together [Royal Navy] Two Royal Navy helicopter engineers have discovered their fathers also served together a quarter of a century ago. Harvey Lewis and Sam Skelson, who are based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset, were maintaining a Wildcat helicopter aboard frigate HMS Iron Duke when Harvey made the discovery.
Navy pals recreate photo after 'surreal' discovery
Two Royal Navy helicopter engineers have discovered their fathers also served together a quarter of a century ago. Harvey Lewis and Sam Skelson, who are based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset, were maintaining a Wildcat helicopter aboard frigate HMS Iron Duke when Harvey made the discovery. He spoke to his father, Gaz Lewis, about his squadron, who mentioned the surname rang a bell as he had served with Andrew Skelson aboard HMS Exeter in 1999.
Carnival to try and make event more accessible
Organisers of a popular carnival have agreed to discuss how to make the event more accessible with two parents of children with additional needs. Every autumn, processions of illuminated carts pass through Chard as part of the South Somerset Carnival Circuit. The events are often noisy and bright, meaning those with sensory processing disorders can find the experience overwhelming.
Couple raise £13k after son's 'shock' diagnosis
A couple have raised more than £13,000 after their son received a "shock" type-1 diabetes diagnosis just before his second birthday. Somerset-based racehorse trainers Joe and Rachel say their son Thomas was diagnosed in October and, at the start of his treatment, they had been doing up to eight injections before meals. Almost one year on, they have managed to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Limited by opening their stables in Milborne Port for a charity open day.
Plans to scrap free Sunday car parking announced
A consultation on plans to introduce Sunday charges at all car parks across a county has been proposed. Somerset Council has suggested the changes due to different rates currently applied across the county. It said the aim was to "bring consistency" and ensure the service remained "completely self-funded". In February, plans to bring in evening and overnight charges were dropped after hundreds of residents and businesses objected.
Demand for second-hand school uniform rises
Charities and community groups have seen a rise in demand for second-hand school uniform. Barnardo's in Frome has put out an appeal for donated uniform, due to the high demand they are seeing, and parents in Somerset have set up Facebook groups to help. The Community Hub in Chard has started a pre-loved school uniform shop which operates on the basis of paying what you can afford to help parents who may not be able to afford it.
Demand for second-hand school uniform rises
Charities and community groups have seen a rise in demand for second-hand school uniform. Barnardo's in Frome has put out an appeal for donated uniform, due to the high demand they are seeing, and parents in Somerset have set up Facebook groups to help. The Community Hub in Chard has started a pre-loved school uniform shop which operates on the basis of paying what you can afford to help parents who may not be able to afford it.
Nurseries say subsidies aren't enough to survive
Nursery owners say that the expansion of free childcare across England from 1 September could put even more pressure on providers. Children aged from nine months to four years old are now eligible for 30 hours of free nursery care during term time, potentially saving parents £7,500 a year per child. But there are serious concerns about the number of staff and places at nurseries, which are already said to be widely struggling financially.
Hedgehog rescue 'overjoyed' it can stay open
A hedgehog rescue centre, which faced shutting down, says it can continue to operate thanks to £45,000 being donated. Earlier this month, Prickles Hedgehog Rescue Centre near Cheddar warned it was facing a "financial crisis" due to running costs and the impending closure of its charity shop. Founder Jules Bishop said the centre only had two months of funding left and set up a fundraiser to raise £25,000, a target that has been exceeded.
Hikers take on volcanic trek to support hospice
A group of hikers is taking on the dramatic landscapes of Iceland to raise money for a hospice. The nine walkers will trek 36 miles (58km) across the volcanic highland region of Landmannalaugar – over lava fields, past hot springs and waterfalls – to fundraise for St Margaret's Hospice in Somerset. Louise Wonham is taking part with her two sons. She said she wanted to give back to the charity after it supported her husband Mike, who had cancer.
Croud's Level Up: Unpacking Google's Vision for a Smarter Ad Tech Future
Here at Croud, we're always trying to remain at the forefront of digital innovation, and attending Google's recent "Level Up" event on June 25, 2025, provided us with invaluable insights into the future of their advertising platforms. The overarching message was clear: Google is accelerating through 2025 with a strong emphasis on a streamlined, integrated ad tech stack, powered by groundbreaking AI capabilities.
Stroke unit closure would be 'dangerous', MP says
MP Adam Dance has long objected to the closure of the hyper-acute stroke unit [Yeovil Liberal Democrats] The planned closure of a hyper-acute stroke unit (HASU) is "dangerous", according to a town's MP. Last year, Somerset's NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB) agreed the pending closure of the HASU at Yeovil District Hospital, with plans for patients in need of urgent stroke care to be diverted to Taunton or Dorchester instead.
Man's return to shop saves it from closure 50 years on
A retired engineer has saved a shop from closure by returning to the greengrocers he worked as a child. Alan Sheppard worked in Somerset's South Petherton store, owned by his uncle, in the late 1960s, and after a career in engineering, he has decided to continue his family's legacy. Residents feared the shop would have to close when Mr Sheppard's former colleague, Merv, decided to call it a day.
How an Iron Age bowl became a Glastonbury icon
More than 140 years ago, in a field in rural Somerset, one man made a remarkable discovery - a lake village. Arthur Bulleid, born and raised in Glastonbury, found the former Iron Age settlement on the Avalon Marshes, and spent 15 years carefully excavating a wealth of artefacts, dated as far back as 250BC. Many are now housed in the Glastonbury Tribunal museum, but one in particular has become a local icon - a bowl.
Can anything solve Britain’s prisons crisis?
While we were inspecting HMP Elmley on the Isle of Sheppey, a commotion broke out on one of the wings. ‘What’s up?’ one of my team asked the nearest prison officer. ‘Bloke who’s getting out tomorrow has just been told he’s being shipped to Rochester jail.’ The man was manhandled towards a prison van. Unlimited access to spectator.com.au and app The weekly edition on the Spectator Australia app Spectator podcasts and newsletters Full access to spectator.co.uk Or
Cat named after sitcom celebrates 25th birthday
A cat named after the British sitcom The Vicar of Dibley has celebrated his 25th birthday, and could be one of the oldest cats in the country. Dibbley, in Norton Fitzwarren, Somerset, has been gifted a new collar, as well as a can on tuna and a packet of treats to celebrate the big day. Despite his age, the moggy appears to be in good health, though does embrace his advancing years by mostly sleeping and eating.
£47m cuts will impact on services - council leader
The leader of Somerset Council has said the authority will try to maintain a high quality service with fewer resources. The council plans to make cuts of £47m in the year ahead to avoid effectively going bankrupt, and still has a £66m hole in its budget to fill. Councillor Bill Revans said inevitably there would be an impact on services but blamed what he called a "broken system" of funding local government.
Rehomed bobcat Bode 'becoming fit'
A zoo said it had saved "a beautiful" bobcat in need of a home from being put down. Bode, a north American bobcat, needed a new home after his owner was convicted of animal welfare offences at St Albans Crown Court in May 2024. Tropiquaria Zoo, near Watchet, stepped in to help and said Bode was doing well. "He is re-establishing his weight as he should be," said Chris Moiser, the zoo's director. "He's becoming a fit and beautiful young cat.
Town council leader defends 26% tax hike
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The English village with links to five US presidents
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Yeovil MP tells government to 'wake up' on housing
Yeovil MP Adam Dance said the government needs to 'wake up' on housing - not just tackling a skills shortage, but getting planning applications processed. Labour has vowed to build 1.5m more homes in the next five years and has unveiled an overhaul of England's planning rules. Liberal Democrat MP Mr Dance said there are not enough qualified planners to process current applications. Somerset Council said it is actively recruiting new officers to work through the backlog.
Recycling scheme expanding to more households
Soft plastics will be collected from more households in Somerset [Getty Images] A trial project to enable more households to recycle plastic bags and wrapping in their weekly collections is being expanded. Somerset Council is part of the FlexCollect project, set up to inform the government and industry about how plastic bags and wrapping should be added to household collection services.
Medytox CEO Accused of Cover-ups and Corruption in Botulinum Scandal
FacebookXRedditLinkedInEmail Medytox, a prominent pharmaceutical company in South Korea, has long been under the spotlight for its controversial practices. The company was initially investigated by the Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) in 2020 for using unapproved substances in its Botulinum products. At the time, Dr. Hyun Ho Jung, Medytox’s CEO, was cleared of any criminal responsibility, with the blame falling on a Medytox Vice President, who later served several months in prison.
New MP will use her 'real world experience'
Sammy Jenkins - BBC News, West of England and Charlie Taylor - BBC News, Somerset July 8, 2024 at 1:05 PM·2 min read A newly-elected MP says it is an "incredible privilege" to be given the chance to make a difference. Anna Sabine was elected as Liberal Democrat MP for Frome and East Somerset on 5 July. Speaking to BBC Radio Somerset, Ms Sabine said her priorities in representing her constituents will be to improve NHS services, manage road safety, and support local business owners.
'Somerset is a hotspot for lyme disease'
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments.
'Somerset is a hotspot for lyme disease'
Charlie Taylor & Clara Bullock - BBC News, Somerset June 14, 2024 at 8:40 AM·2 min read An increase in ticks has made the South West a "hotspot" for lyme disease, experts have said. The UK has been experiencing warmer winters, which has led to a rise in tick population. A small number of the insects carry lyme disease, which can trigger years of aches and fatigue. Ecologist Nathan Orr said warmer, wetter winters are not killing off as many of the ticks as in the past.
New support for families critical of pregnancy care
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments.
New support for families critical of pregnancy care
Charlie Taylor & Chris Lockyer - BBC News, Somerset June 10, 2024 at 10:39 PM·2 min read A new service in Somerset is being set up to support women who have had adverse outcomes during pregnancy. Maternity and neonatal independent senior advocates (MNISA) say they will act on behalf of women if they feel their experience when being cared for during pregnancy led to something going wrong. This can include death, babies being diagnosed with brain injuries or mothers needing critical care.
Somerset glamping site contaminated with slurry was 'huge worry'
Glamping site soiled with slurry was 'huge worry' Clara Bullock & Charlie Taylor,BBC News, Somerset Rosie Lediard About half a million litres of slurry contaminated a field, forest and a lake A woman who runs a glamping site said it was a "huge worry" when their lake was contaminated with slurry. Derek Dyer, 74, from Yarcombe admitted causing pollution and two charges related to the construction of an illegal slurry store at a field in Combe St Nicholas.
Menswear shop celebrates 100 years of trading
George Gurd started the shop in 1924 before it was bought by Sarah Fairfield's great-grandfather [BBC] A menswear shop in Taunton is marking its 100th anniversary. Gurds on Station Road opened in 1924 and has been owned and run by the same family since 1934. The shop, which was originally a pharmacy, still has many of the original fixtures and fittings, as well as a grade II listed storefront.
Animal rescue centre launches urgent appeal
An animal charity is issuing an urgent appeal for more funding to help it survive a cash-flow issue. Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard said it needs £100,000 to get through the next four months due to rising costs. This comes just days after it rescued three cats found in a sealed cardboard box. "We're moving Heaven and Earth to get us through this," the charity's CEO Kevan Hodges said. In the longer term the centre is opening more charity shops to raise funds.
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