Friday 29th September

Friday, 29 September 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The £29M project to up-grade Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre, which has run into financial problems, could be bailed out by Yeovil Town Council. New play equipment is to be installed at Ninesprings Country Park in Yeovil. A Martock woman has been fined £95 after being caught speeding in a 20 mph zone...and more.

Yeovil Town Council is planning to give financial support to the upgrade of Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre. The project, costing an estimated £29M has run into problems due to increased building costs and higher interest rates. Somerset Council, who are in charge of the project, say the interest payments to fund the project are currently running at one million pounds a year. Yeovil Town Council will discuss supporting the project at a meeting on Tuesday night. The following day, the Executive of Somerset Council will meet to make a decision about the Octagon's future.

The RSPB in Somerset has welcomed the results of a new study claiming that nearly a sixth of wildlife species in the UK are at risk of becoming extinct. The RSPB says the situation in Somerset is a real worry with populations of Swifts in steep decline.

New play equipment is to be installed at Ninesprings Country Park in Yeovil. Somerset Council, who own and operate the park, say the existing pirate ship be replaced with a ‘mega deck’ of raised play equipment. The ‘mega-deck’ will accommodate up to forty children at any one time.

A local woman has been fined £95 after being caught speeding in a 20mph zone. Lydia Rose Bellchamber who lives in Martock pleaded guilty to the offence when she appeared at Taunton Magistrates' Court. She was also disqualified from holding a driving licence for six months after receiving three penalty points which took her over the threshold for a ban.

It may not be an Olympic Sport but a Somerset teenager has been crowned the youngest world champion of Keepy Uppy. Keepy Uppy is when a football is kicked in the air multiple times without it touching the ground. Izzy Wilkins, who’s 15, won the title in Prague.

More from News

Thursday 30th October

Bird flu has been found at a nature reserve in Somerset, closing part of it down. St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset is calling for the hospice sector to be given more central funding. The Barrington Boar in Barrington has been placed 12th in The Good Food Guide’s list of 100 best pubs in Britain... and more
Wednesday 29th October

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.
Tuesday 28th October

Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more
Monday 27th October

The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more
Friday 24th October

New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more
Thursday 23rd October

Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more
Wednesday 22nd October

A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more .
Tuesday 21st October

Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid out compensation of £23 million for claims related to birth injuries. A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre...and more