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

Wednesday 29th April

Somerset Council says Hendford Hill in Yeovil should be fully reopened to traffic by the end of May. Plans have been approved to build 40 new homes in Crewkerne. A huge pile of illegally dumped rubbish in Glastonbury has been cleared... and more
Tuesday 28th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision at Rimpton. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in South Petherton. Former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson has been retained as first-team manager of Taunton Town for next season... and more
Monday 27th April

A former school in Sherborne has been badly damaged by fire. A care home in Yeovil has been rated outstanding. ublic spaces in West Coker owned by Somerset Council are being handed over to the parish council. Mendip Golf Club has presented a cheque for £12,000 to Mind in Somerset... and more
Friday 24th April

Plans have been submitted to turn a property on Preston Road in Yeovil into a House in Multiple Occupation. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has been recalled to the England Red Roses starting line-up for tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations game against Wales. Three sisters from Yeovil will be running the London Marathon this weekend in support of Guide Dogs UK... and more
Thursday 23rd April

Helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton have completed six weeks of sorties, protecting Cyprus from attacks by Iran. People in Somerset who use domestic heating oil are calling on the government to regulate the oil supply industry. Patients are being invited to register at a new NHS dentist in Crewkerne... and more
Wednesday 22nd April

Expectant mothers are using Yeovil Hospital once again to give birth following the reopening of the maternity unit. A Yeovil man has been jailed for four years for committing sexual offences against two young girls. Plans have been approved to convert a pub in Milborne Port into housing... and more
Tuesday 21st April

NHS Somerset has delayed closing the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. A former Avon and Somerset Police officer has been jailed for making indecent images of children. A Somerset man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild animal with dogs... and more
Monday 20th April

Nearly one hundred roads in Somerset will be surface dressed this summer to prevent further damage. Almost all children starting primary school in Somerset in September have been offered a place at one of their top three school choices. People in Somerset are being asked to record wild mammals in gardens and other green spaces over the summer... and more