Friday 3rd May

Friday, 3 May 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Labour’s Clare Moody is the new Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset. Somerset Council is looking to buy the Glovers Walk Shopping Centre in Yeovil, including Yeovil Bus Station. One of the biggest events in Yeovil’s outdoor calendar, the Abbey Hill Steam Rally, starts today...and more.

Labour’s Clare Moody is the new Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset. She won yesterday’s PCC election with 95,982 votes beating the Conservative Mark Shelford into second place on 91,006 votes. Katy Grant for the Greens was third on 64,623 votes. Benet Allen for the Liberal Democrats came fourth on 45,864. Turnout was 23.09%, compared to 30.7% in 2021. The Police and Crime Commissioner is responsible for producing a police and crime plan, deciding how the police budget is spent and holding the Chief Constable and the Avon and Somerset force to account on the public’s behalf.

It's been revealed that Somerset Council is looking to buy the Glovers Walk Shopping Centre in Yeovil, including Yeovil Bus Station. The site is currently advertised for sale with a price tag of £1.75 million. In a report, portfolio holder for economic development at Somerset Council, Ros Wyke said they were seeking to reallocate £5m of government funding to redevelop three key sites in Yeovil town centre, one of which is thought to be Glovers Walk. Should they buy Glovers Walk, it’s thought the Council will demolish the empty shops for a mix of retail and residential to be built on the site.

More than three and half thousand trees have been planted around Ilminster by Green Ilminster. The volunteer-led environmental group formed only two years ago with the aim of increasing the tree cover in Ilminster, has just completed its latest planting project at Eames Mill.

The annual meeting of Chard Town Council will be held on Tuesday, May 28th at 7 pm in the Guildhall. At the meeting, the Mayor, Councillor Garry Shortland will present the Council’s Annual Report, with local council taxpayers given the opportunity to ask questions of the Council about how the town is being run.

Great Western Railway who run trains through Castle Cary have named a train after The Princess Royal. It's in recognition of her support for more than 300 charities, organisations and military regiments across the UK including ones in Somerset.

One of the biggest events in Yeovil’s outdoor calendar starts today. The Abbey Hill Steam Rally at Yeovil Showground off Dorchester Road is on for four days including Bank Holiday Monday.

More from News

Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more