The Somerset County Gazette, was founded in 1836 by Charles Woodforde, a local printer and stationer in Taunton, Somerset. Woodforde recognized the need for a reliable local news source to serve the growing population of Somerset County. The newspaper was established to provide comprehensive coverage of local events, council meetings, and community news. Today, the Somerset County Gazette is owned by Newsquest, a subsidiary of Gannett Co., Inc., which acquired the newspaper in 2000 as part of its expansion into the UK regional press market. Based in Taunton, Somerset, the Somerset County Gazette covers a wide range of local and regional news topics including politics, crime, education, health, and community events. The newspaper provides extensive coverage of local sports, particularly cricket and rugby, which are popular in the region. The Gazette reports on entertainment and cultural events in Somerset, as well as offering features on local history and human interest stories. As a regional newspaper, it focuses primarily on issues and events relevant to Somerset County and the surrounding areas, providing a vital source of information for local residents. One interesting fact: The Somerset County Gazette has a unique connection to the world of literature. In 1908, the newspaper serialized “The War of the Worlds“ by H.G. Wells, bringing this groundbreaking science fiction story to local readers. This early publication helped popularize Wells' work in the region and demonstrates the Gazette's long-standing commitment to providing diverse content to its readership, beyond just local news.