Friday 12th September

Friday, 12 September 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

One of Somerset's most prominent horse trainers says planned tax increases on remote betting could be a ‘nail in the coffin’ for horse racing. An Ilchester man has been arrested in connection with a burglary in West Dorset. Somerset Council’s Chief Executive and other senior officers have been given a 3.2% pay rise...and more

One of Somerset's most prominent horse trainers, Joe Tizzard, says government plans to increase taxes on remote betting could be a ‘nail in the coffin’ for horse racing. It follows this week’s historic strike by British Horse Racing in protest at the planned tax rises.

An Ilchester man has been arrested in connection with a burglary in West Dorset. The man, who’s 28, was detained by officers from the Dorset Police Rural Crimes Team in connection with several thefts in West Dorset. He has since been released on bail pending further inquiries.

Somerset Council’s Chief Executive, Duncan Sharkey, and other senior officers have been given a 3.2 per cent pay rise, backdated to April. Mr Sharkey’s earnings will rise from £200,870 a year to £213,500 a year. Earnings by Executive directors at Somerset Council will rise to £158,670 a year.

A contractor has been appointed to refurbish Yeovil Police Station. Avon and Somerset Police say TCi (GB) will carry out the modernisation of the building on Horsey Lane. A new vehicle workshop will be built to replace the existing on-site facility. A new external staircase will also be constructed so the station complies with modern fire safety standards. No date has been given for when the work will start.

A community choir in Chard is appealing for new members. 'Meeting Voices' practice in the Guildhall on Wednesday nights. Prior experience or the ability to read music is not required to become a member of the choir.

Somerset-based ready meals producer, Charlie Bigham, has been thanked for helping to tidy up land alongside the Strawberry rail line near Wells. Every Friday, Charlie Bingham employees trim hedges, clear paths, and pick up litter along a 10-mile stretch of the converted railway track. The Strawberry Line Society says help of this kind is vital to keeping trains running on the line.

More from News

Friday 13th March

The first of the new medium lift helicopters being built by Leonardo in Yeovil for the RAF will be delivered in 2031. Somerset Council has launched a public consultation on planned new charges at its two hundred public car parks. More women in Somerset are said to be taking up walking football... and more
Thursday 12th March

A Yeovil headteacher says he’s concerned about plans to stop giving school holiday food vouchers to families on low incomes. The owner of Yeovil Town is calling on fans to be patient as he continues his overhaul of the National League side. A high voltage fault is being blamed for plunging 1700 homes into darkness in the Ilminster area... and more
Wednesday 11th March

Plans have been submitted to convert two properties in Yeovil into houses of multiple occupation. A new court date has been announced for a Yeovil man charged with attempted murder. An engineer who has worked at the Leonardo factory in Yeovil for 40-years has won a top industry award... and more
Tuesday 10th March

Police say a fire at the former Oscar Mayer food factory in Chard was started deliberately. Yeovil College says it would have been adversely affected had Leonardo not won the contract to build new medium-lift helicopters. A seven-foot dragon will be visiting towns and villages in our area during the next few weeks to promote Somerset Day... and more
Monday 9th March

Two Wildcat helicopters from 815 Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton have arrived in Cyprus to help protect RAF Akrotiri from further Iranian drone strikes. New figures show that 40 people were killed on Avon and Somerset’s roads in the last 12-months. A Somerset man has been recalling the day 60-years ago when he was a passenger on the last train on the Somerset and Dorset Railway... and more
Friday 6th March

Defence Minister Luke Pollard has been explaining why it took the government so long to confirm a contract for the Leonardo in Yeovil to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. Police are investigating a break in at a pet shop in Ilminster. Somerset Council is to stop using red ink on council tax reminder letters... and more
Thursday 5th March

Two military helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton are being sent to Cyprus to help bolster UK’s defences amid the US-Israel war with Iran. Yeovil Town Council is seeking legal advice over the closure of the hyper acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. Flood warnings have been lifted on the Somerset Levels... and more
Wednesday 4th March

A man has died in a fire in Wincanton. Somerset Council is planning further cuts of twenty-one million pounds to help balance its books. A campaign to raise £30,000 for a minibus has been launched in Chard... and more