Somerset Confidential
@somersetconf.bsky.social
The news channel for Somerset (the English one). Just news, analysis & investigations from journalists who know their patch. No AI. https://somersetconfidential.substack.com
Also author, history & classical music buff
Wests Tigers, Packers and Arsenal
Also author, history & classical music buff
Wests Tigers, Packers and Arsenal
An appeal somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/an-appeal
As we enter our Christmas break, we wanted to tell the story of, well a story. A story that would not have seen the light of day in all its murky glory without Somerset Confidential®.
As we enter our Christmas break, we wanted to tell the story of, well a story. A story that would not have seen the light of day in all its murky glory without Somerset Confidential®.
An appeal
As we enter our Christmas break, we wanted to tell the story of, well a story. A story that would not have seen the light of day in all its murky glory without Somerset Confidential®.
somersetconfidential.substack.com
December 24, 2025 at 10:11 AM
An appeal somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/an-appeal
As we enter our Christmas break, we wanted to tell the story of, well a story. A story that would not have seen the light of day in all its murky glory without Somerset Confidential®.
As we enter our Christmas break, we wanted to tell the story of, well a story. A story that would not have seen the light of day in all its murky glory without Somerset Confidential®.
In this, our final news release before Christmas, we finally hear from the Red Brick Building Board about their take on the Life Factory debacle and the consequences that will follow from it.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/breaking-t...
#Glastonbury
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/breaking-t...
#Glastonbury
Breaking the silence
The Board of Glastonbury's Red Brick Building have broken their silence on the Life Factory and released a statement to explain in their own words what went wrong. Somerset Confidential® takes a look.
somersetconfidential.substack.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:16 PM
In this, our final news release before Christmas, we finally hear from the Red Brick Building Board about their take on the Life Factory debacle and the consequences that will follow from it.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/breaking-t...
#Glastonbury
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/breaking-t...
#Glastonbury
James Garrett exposes a Somerset council that prosecuted a major national estate agent for breaking listed building consent rules, while letting itself off for breaking the same rules on properties it owned.
Public scrutiny? What do you think?
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/one-rule-f...
Public scrutiny? What do you think?
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/one-rule-f...
One rule for you....
James Garrett exposes a Somerset council for prosecuting a major estate agent for breaking listed building consent rules, while letting itself off for breaking the same rules on properties it owned.
somersetconfidential.substack.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:57 AM
James Garrett exposes a Somerset council that prosecuted a major national estate agent for breaking listed building consent rules, while letting itself off for breaking the same rules on properties it owned.
Public scrutiny? What do you think?
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/one-rule-f...
Public scrutiny? What do you think?
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/one-rule-f...
As we come to the end of 2025, Somerset Confidential takes a look at how Reform UK are doing in Somerset. Are they making waves? Are they breaking through? Will the political map of our county change?
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-r...
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-r...
Somerset remains largely unReformed
Are Reform UK making waves in Somerset? They may lead the national polls by a considerable margin but evidence of a breakthrough in Somerset is harder to come by. Analysis by Somerset Confidential®.
somersetconfidential.substack.com
December 22, 2025 at 1:00 PM
As we come to the end of 2025, Somerset Confidential takes a look at how Reform UK are doing in Somerset. Are they making waves? Are they breaking through? Will the political map of our county change?
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-r...
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-r...
Today on Classical Byways we have a German who made his name in France: Sébastien Demar
classicalbyways.substack.com/p/sebastien-...
classicalbyways.substack.com/p/sebastien-...
Sébastien Demar
1763-1832
classicalbyways.substack.com
December 20, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Today on Classical Byways we have a German who made his name in France: Sébastien Demar
classicalbyways.substack.com/p/sebastien-...
classicalbyways.substack.com/p/sebastien-...
Acorn Property Group has been a high profile developer in Somerset. It has been involved in developments in Frome and Bruton. So how why does it have an FCA warning against it? Somerset Confidential® investigates….
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/seeds-of-d...
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/seeds-of-d...
December 19, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Acorn Property Group has been a high profile developer in Somerset. It has been involved in developments in Frome and Bruton. So how why does it have an FCA warning against it? Somerset Confidential® investigates….
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/seeds-of-d...
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/seeds-of-d...
Somerset Confidential® takes a look at the plight of the #hospitality trade and asks if one of the biggest contributors to our #Somerset economy is facing an existential crisis.
We speak to businesses in #Taunton, #Bath and #Aller
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/cakes-and-...
We speak to businesses in #Taunton, #Bath and #Aller
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/cakes-and-...
Cakes and ale? But for how much longer
Somerset Confidential® takes a look at the plight of the hospitality trade and asks if one of the biggest contributors to our Somerset economy is facing an existential crisis.
somersetconfidential.substack.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Somerset Confidential® takes a look at the plight of the #hospitality trade and asks if one of the biggest contributors to our #Somerset economy is facing an existential crisis.
We speak to businesses in #Taunton, #Bath and #Aller
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/cakes-and-...
We speak to businesses in #Taunton, #Bath and #Aller
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/cakes-and-...
What is #Labour's problem? I think this PR may give us some clues:
"campaign against car parks included distributing thousands of leaflets, collecting perdition and pointing those who signed the petition..."
Collecting perdition sounds like an exercise in self-flagellation to me....
"campaign against car parks included distributing thousands of leaflets, collecting perdition and pointing those who signed the petition..."
Collecting perdition sounds like an exercise in self-flagellation to me....
December 15, 2025 at 1:10 PM
What is #Labour's problem? I think this PR may give us some clues:
"campaign against car parks included distributing thousands of leaflets, collecting perdition and pointing those who signed the petition..."
Collecting perdition sounds like an exercise in self-flagellation to me....
"campaign against car parks included distributing thousands of leaflets, collecting perdition and pointing those who signed the petition..."
Collecting perdition sounds like an exercise in self-flagellation to me....
As the #EnvironmentAgency proclaim that the state of 87% of England’s bathing sites is either good or excellent, analysis of the figures by Somerset Confidential® shows that they are anything but around #Somerset. We take a look at why.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/dont-swim-...
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/dont-swim-...
Don't swim here
As the Environment Agency proclaim 87% of our bathing sites are good or excellent, an investigation by Somerset Confidential® shows that they are anything but around these parts.
somersetconfidential.substack.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:47 AM
As the #EnvironmentAgency proclaim that the state of 87% of England’s bathing sites is either good or excellent, analysis of the figures by Somerset Confidential® shows that they are anything but around #Somerset. We take a look at why.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/dont-swim-...
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/dont-swim-...
Today on Classical Byways we feature Anton Bernhard Fürstenau. classicalbyways.substack.com/p/anton-bern...
Anton Bernhard Fürstenau
1792-1852
classicalbyways.substack.com
December 13, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Today on Classical Byways we feature Anton Bernhard Fürstenau. classicalbyways.substack.com/p/anton-bern...
You may already have read that Cllr Michael #Dunk, #GreenParty councillor for #Frome has been found guilty after taking part if a #JustStopOil protest. What you may not have read is that 2 trials on the same issue, reached very different conclusions.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/is-the-law...
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/is-the-law...
Is the law an ass?
The sentencing of Somerset Councillor Michael Dunk raises some questions around the conduct of two very similar trials, which reached very different conclusions. Somerset Confidential® investigates.
somersetconfidential.substack.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:10 AM
You may already have read that Cllr Michael #Dunk, #GreenParty councillor for #Frome has been found guilty after taking part if a #JustStopOil protest. What you may not have read is that 2 trials on the same issue, reached very different conclusions.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/is-the-law...
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/is-the-law...
As #Somerset Council decides to hide their Lessons Learned report on the #Glastonbury Life Factory from the public, we have taken the decision to publish the majority of the text. We believe this is in the public interest.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/lessons-le...
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/lessons-le...
Lessons Learned?
As Somerset Council decides to hide their Lessons Learned report from the public, we have had sight of a copy and have taken the decision to publish the majority of the text.
somersetconfidential.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 4:42 PM
As #Somerset Council decides to hide their Lessons Learned report on the #Glastonbury Life Factory from the public, we have taken the decision to publish the majority of the text. We believe this is in the public interest.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/lessons-le...
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/lessons-le...
Why is Somerset Council hiding the “lessons Learned” report from the public? We have seen a copy and are publishing some of the material in the public interest. We now know that 2 Glastonbury Town Deal projects have been terminated.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-c...
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-c...
Somerset Council terminates 2 Glastonbury projects
We have reported at length (sorry) on the failings of Somerset Council as the accountable body for the Glastonbury Town Deal. Now they have terminated two of the ten projects in the deal.
somersetconfidential.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Why is Somerset Council hiding the “lessons Learned” report from the public? We have seen a copy and are publishing some of the material in the public interest. We now know that 2 Glastonbury Town Deal projects have been terminated.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-c...
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-c...
A new report from #GrantThornton corroborates everything we have said about #Somerset Council’s financial emergency over the past 12 months.
So this is both our apology in the modern sense and our apology, an explanation, in the classical sense.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-c...
So this is both our apology in the modern sense and our apology, an explanation, in the classical sense.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-c...
Somerset Council - an apology
For months Somerset Confidential®has been pointing to the lack of control & lack of progress at Somerset Council. Now we have a report from auditors Grant Thornton and feel we should apologise...
somersetconfidential.substack.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:04 AM
A new report from #GrantThornton corroborates everything we have said about #Somerset Council’s financial emergency over the past 12 months.
So this is both our apology in the modern sense and our apology, an explanation, in the classical sense.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-c...
So this is both our apology in the modern sense and our apology, an explanation, in the classical sense.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-c...
How did an estate agent known for selling a lot of listed buildings, end up in court for altering one of their prestigious (listed) offices in #Bath? Planning enforcement in B&NES Council is taken a lot more seriously than it is at #Somerset Council
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/national-e...
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/national-e...
December 8, 2025 at 8:50 AM
How did an estate agent known for selling a lot of listed buildings, end up in court for altering one of their prestigious (listed) offices in #Bath? Planning enforcement in B&NES Council is taken a lot more seriously than it is at #Somerset Council
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/national-e...
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/national-e...
Who gets the money from selling Christmas trees to shops in #Chard? Why is B&NES Cllr Kevin Guy happy with the budget? And why are the #BoundaryCommission effectively restarting their review of #Somerset Council?
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/boundary-b...
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/boundary-b...
Boundary bashing, Chard games and Bath tourism tax
Tourists can now expect to pay more when they stay in Bath. The Boundary Commission are wasting public money & in Chard you cannot see the wood for the Christmas trees.
somersetconfidential.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Who gets the money from selling Christmas trees to shops in #Chard? Why is B&NES Cllr Kevin Guy happy with the budget? And why are the #BoundaryCommission effectively restarting their review of #Somerset Council?
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/boundary-b...
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/boundary-b...
Zombie Carnival Park
Just when you thought it was safe....an application for a Carnival Park, quashed by a High Court Judge in 2022, is returning to haunt residents of South Somerset. James Garrett investigates.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/zombie-car...
Just when you thought it was safe....an application for a Carnival Park, quashed by a High Court Judge in 2022, is returning to haunt residents of South Somerset. James Garrett investigates.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/zombie-car...
Zombie Carnival Park
Just when you thought it was safe....an application for a Carnival Park, quashed by a High Court Judge in 2022, is returning to haunt residents of South Somerset. James Garrett investigates.
somersetconfidential.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Zombie Carnival Park
Just when you thought it was safe....an application for a Carnival Park, quashed by a High Court Judge in 2022, is returning to haunt residents of South Somerset. James Garrett investigates.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/zombie-car...
Just when you thought it was safe....an application for a Carnival Park, quashed by a High Court Judge in 2022, is returning to haunt residents of South Somerset. James Garrett investigates.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/zombie-car...
As a new report from #GrantThornton to #Somerset Council’s Audit Committee raises serious questions around the #LifeFactory and the management of the #Glastonbury Town Deal, it looks as if another project is in trouble.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/more-glast...
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/more-glast...
More Glastonbury contagion?
As a new Audit Committee report considers the Life Factory, it appears that at least one other Glastonbury Town Deal project is now at risk.
somersetconfidential.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:46 AM
As a new report from #GrantThornton to #Somerset Council’s Audit Committee raises serious questions around the #LifeFactory and the management of the #Glastonbury Town Deal, it looks as if another project is in trouble.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/more-glast...
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/more-glast...
#AnnaSabine MP for #Frome and East Somerset has written to Ofcom to request an investigation into #GBNews following a programme which appeared to draw links between those with “foreign-sounding names” and prosecuted for sex offences.
We investigate.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-m...
We investigate.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-m...
December 1, 2025 at 10:41 AM
#AnnaSabine MP for #Frome and East Somerset has written to Ofcom to request an investigation into #GBNews following a programme which appeared to draw links between those with “foreign-sounding names” and prosecuted for sex offences.
We investigate.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-m...
We investigate.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/somerset-m...
"Unexplained" funds, six-figure fine, "blatant contempt" for a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The owner of La Lade caravan park in Long Load near #Langport faces the full wrath of the law.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/caravan-pa...
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/caravan-pa...
November 28, 2025 at 3:28 PM
"Unexplained" funds, six-figure fine, "blatant contempt" for a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The owner of La Lade caravan park in Long Load near #Langport faces the full wrath of the law.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/caravan-pa...
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/caravan-pa...
Last week we reported on the contagion as the financial trauma at #Glastonbury's Life Factory spread to the Red Brick Building. Now it has spread to #SomersetCouncil too. We look at how that could impact on the council’s ability to survive.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/death-throes
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/death-throes
Death throes
Last week we reported on the contagion as the financial trauma at Glastonbury's Life Factory spread to the Red Brick Building. Now it has spread to Somerset Council too.
somersetconfidential.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Last week we reported on the contagion as the financial trauma at #Glastonbury's Life Factory spread to the Red Brick Building. Now it has spread to #SomersetCouncil too. We look at how that could impact on the council’s ability to survive.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/death-throes
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/death-throes
As the amount that farmers get paid for their milk hits the headlines again, we take a closer look at who gets what. From the farmer to the consumer. Are both the public and farmers being ripped off?
Somerset Confidential takes a look at the numbers
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/milking-it
Somerset Confidential takes a look at the numbers
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/milking-it
November 24, 2025 at 5:05 PM
As the amount that farmers get paid for their milk hits the headlines again, we take a closer look at who gets what. From the farmer to the consumer. Are both the public and farmers being ripped off?
Somerset Confidential takes a look at the numbers
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/milking-it
Somerset Confidential takes a look at the numbers
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/milking-it
Today from Classical Byways we have the Austrian composer Johann Georg Tschortsch
classicalbyways.substack.com/p/johann-geo...
@Kit_Chapman @Guythegrape @SeanDromgoole @BarryHavenhand @susannahmh @EdelaQuintaine @bryn_thompson
classicalbyways.substack.com/p/johann-geo...
@Kit_Chapman @Guythegrape @SeanDromgoole @BarryHavenhand @susannahmh @EdelaQuintaine @bryn_thompson
Johann Georg Tschortsch
1681-1737
classicalbyways.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Today from Classical Byways we have the Austrian composer Johann Georg Tschortsch
classicalbyways.substack.com/p/johann-geo...
@Kit_Chapman @Guythegrape @SeanDromgoole @BarryHavenhand @susannahmh @EdelaQuintaine @bryn_thompson
classicalbyways.substack.com/p/johann-geo...
@Kit_Chapman @Guythegrape @SeanDromgoole @BarryHavenhand @susannahmh @EdelaQuintaine @bryn_thompson
In today’s issue of Somerset Confidential® we have the latest on the Life Factory looking at other projects that may now be in jeopardy. And finally the Environment Agency tell us we could be in drought soon. We take a closer look.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/worst-in-t...
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/worst-in-t...
Worst in the country?
Fewer Somerset children have seen a dentist in the past 2 years than anywhere else in England.
somersetconfidential.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:19 PM
In today’s issue of Somerset Confidential® we have the latest on the Life Factory looking at other projects that may now be in jeopardy. And finally the Environment Agency tell us we could be in drought soon. We take a closer look.
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/worst-in-t...
somersetconfidential.substack.com/p/worst-in-t...