Friday 23rd February

Friday, 23 February 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Eight people have been arrested on suspicion of committing fraud and money laundering in the South West, including in Somerset. Bus users in Yeovil have welcomed the decision to keep the 54 and 58 services running for a further 12 months. Young people in Chard will soon have the chance to learn about dance, drama and singing at a new School of Musical Theatre...and more.

Eight people have been arrested on suspicion of committing fraud and money laundering offences in the South West, including in Somerset. The group defrauded six people out of eight million pounds. Two of the victims are from Somerset, with over four million pounds taken from one of them. Using doctored telephone numbers, the fraudsters convinced their targets that their savings were at risk, and persuaded them to move their money to other cryptocurrency accounts.

Bus users in Yeovil have welcomed the decision to keep the 54 and 58 services out of the town running for a further 12 months. Both routes had been under threat due to low passenger numbers and Somerset Council cutting its subsidy. The 54 from Yeovil to Taunton through Somerton and Langport and the 58 that runs between Yeovil and Wincanton via Sherborne have been funded until March next year when a further review will take place.

Taunton Town Football Club has confirmed that it has now paid all the money it owed to tax authorities. The Club was subjected to a winding-up petition in January and stopped from buying and selling players. In a statement, the club says the news is a relief, but doesn't mean they are free from financial challenges. The transfer embargo against the club has also been lifted.

The National Trust is looking for volunteers to work at its properties in Somerset. It’s planning a series of local drop-in sessions in the hope of finding volunteers to help out at places like Montecute House and Lytes Cary Manor.

Young people in Chard will soon have the chance to learn about dance, drama and singing at a new School of Musical Theatre opening in the town. Chard-based musician and actress Bethany Goodman is behind the idea and will launch the Bethany Brown School of Musical Theatre at Holyrood Academy starting in April.

Wincanton Chamber of Commerce has announced the date of its annual Business Fair. It’s being held in the Memorial Hall in Wincanton on Wednesday, March 27th. To display your business at the event will cost £50.

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Monday 15th June

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Friday 12th June

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Thursday 11th June

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Wednesday 10th June

The public will be consulted on how best to spend fifty million pounds of government funding to tackle flooding in Somerset. Avon and Somerset Police are backing a new road safety campaign aimed at reducing motorcycle fatalities. New welcome signs have been installed at entrances to the Mendip Hills National Landscape... and more
Tuesday 9th June

The government has announced a £50 million investment to strengthen Somerset’s flood defences. A woman from Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been banned from driving for 14 months after admitting drink-driving. Somerset Council has been told it must improve its adult social care services... and more
Monday 8th June

Plans for a new railway station in Langport remain stalled in Whitehall, according to Somerset Council. Plans to build 50 new homes in Broadway, near Ilminster, have been refused. The new water fountains in Yeovil’s Triangle, in Lower Middle Street, are being switched off during very hot weather because of safety concerns... and more.