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

Monday 15th June

People in Somerset are being asked to take part in a new survey about alcohol use. Yeovil's MP Adam Dance will lead a debate in Parliament today on NHS dentistry. A Yeovil runner has been selected to represent England at a national endurance championship... and more
Friday 12th June

It's claimed the increasing availability of drugs such as ketamine and cocaine has normalised drug use among young people in Somerset. The trial of a man accused of killing his one-month-old son in Chard begins today at Bristol Crown Court. A stone pillar outside the Langport Arms Hotel in Langport has been replaced after it was destroyed in a car crash... and more
Thursday 11th June

Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to the three aircrew from RNAS Yeovilton who died in last week's helicopter crash in Devon. Two men have been arrested and stolen vehicles seized following a major multi-agency operation in South Somerset. An event highlighting opportunities for women in the aerospace industry has been held in Yeovil... and more
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.
Friday 5th June

A new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne says it won’t start operating at full capacity until July due to staff shortages. Somerset Council says it has no plans to show England matches in the World Cup on the Big Screen in Yeovil town centre due to safety concerns. A Somerset family has been thanked after completing a 73-mile walk raising money for a third world charity... and more
Thursday 4th June

An investigation continues today into the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter, based at RNAS Yeovilton, in which all three aircrew were killed. Somerset Council has confirmed that a new operator will take over several leisure centres across the county. The new live-action Masters of the Universe movie, filmed in Somerset, is released this week...and more