The Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard says it needs an immediate injection of £100,000 to keep going. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has returned to Yeovil Rugby Club where she began her rugby career 20 years ago. Twenty-five Town criers from across the South will be in Ilminster tomorrow competing in the annual Ilminster Town Criers' Competition...and more.
The CEO of the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard has been speaking about the deepening cash crisis facing the charity that could result in it having to close. Kevan Hodges says their vet bills alone are now running at over £80,000 a year and that they need an immediate injection of £100,000 to stay afloat. Kevan says in their 85-year existence, this is the biggest financial challenge they've ever faced.
Somerset Day is on tomorrow with everyone encouraged to celebrate all that’s good about living in our fine County. Somerset Day is inspired by Alfred the Great’s call to arms and the gathering of ‘all people of Somerset’ to march against the Vikings. The day is not like that anymore, of course, with organisers saying just meeting with friends for a drink and flying a Somerset flag will suffice.
Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has been on a visit to Yeovil Rugby Club where she began her rugby career 20 years ago. Fresh from winning the Six Nations, the Captain of the England Roses and World Player of the Year Marlie was at Yeovil Rugby Club’s ground off the Dorchester Road, helping with training.
Yeovil Town’s ground Huish Park is the venue tomorrow for the Yeovil Beer Festival with all profits from the event going to Children’s Hospice South West.
Town criers from across the South will be in Ilminster tomorrow competing in the annual Ilminster Town Criers' Competition. The competition will comprise two cries, a Home Cry followed by a Themed Cry with the usual restrictions of no mentions of religion, party politics and sex being applied.
The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.
A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,