Friday 7th February

Friday, 7 February 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A Yeovil man has been fined £1,200 for sending hostile text messages to his ex-wife. A report into the performance of Avon and Somerset Police has found it doesn't answer emergency calls quickly enough. Twenty-two swimmers at the Trident Swimming Club in Chard have won places in this year’s Somerset County Swimming Championships...and more

A Yeovil man has been fined £1,200 for sending hostile text messages to his ex-wife. Stuart Foster of Welbeck Road in Yeovil pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared at Yeovil Magistrates Court. The Court was told that Foster had sent harassing messages to his ex-wife over three months. Apart from the fine, he was told to pay a £480 victim surcharge and was made the subject of a nine-month restraining order during which time he must have no make contact with his ex-wife.

A Yeovilton woman will set off later this month to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Ally Mcllroy, was a member of the Army Air Corps for 24 years, and now works as a Safety Officer at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil. She is due to start her ascent of the 6,000-meter-high Mount Kilimanjaro on February 16th raising money for the Rawthey Project that supports ex-members of the armed forces, emergency services and NHS communities.

A report into the performance of Avon and Somerset Police has found it doesn't answer emergency calls quickly enough. His Majesty's Inspectorate found the force requires improvement in five areas, including reducing the amount of non-emergency calls it abandons. Avon and Somerset Police say it welcomes the report and plans to tackle the problem areas it highlights.

The Local Government Ombudsman has called for Somerset Council to review its direct payment system - after a mother was left 7 thousand pounds in debt. Her children have extensive special needs and have care plans in place but the funds were not paid by the authority.

The government is giving £43 million towards building the new flood barrier on the River Parrett. Work has already started building the barrier and is expected to be finished in 2027. The barrier is designed to give protection to around 11,000 homes in areas surrounding the River Parrett.

Twenty-two swimmers at the Trident Swimming Club in Chard have won places in this year’s Somerset County Swimming Championships. The championships take place at Millfield School in Street tomorrow and on Sunday.

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Thursday 29th January

Somerset Council has warned that more homes are likely to flood with further heavy rain forecast to end the week. Discount retailer, The Original Factory Shop, which has an outlet in Crewkerne, has gone into administration. A Barista at Costa Coffee in Ilminster has won a place in the finals of a national competition...and more
Wednesday 28th January

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has announced plans to develop a new operational base on the Leonardo airfield in Yeovil. Several people have been rescued from their homes in Ilminster due to flooding. An £800,000 project is underway to restore two staircases at Montecute House...and more
Tuesday 27th January

Last week was the wettest seven-day period in Somerset for twelve years. NHS Somerset says it’s working towards making access to dental care fairer for all. A scout leader in Somerset has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to Young People...and more
Monday 26th January

A new group has been formed to challenge plans to build 100 new homes in Keinton Mandeville. Bridgwater Town Council has voted to increase its share of the Council Tax by 5%. Organisers of Yeovil in Bloom are appealing for young people to get involved in this year’s competition...and more
Friday 23rd January

New data shows that South Western Ambulance is one of the worst-performing ambulance trusts in England. Plans to introduce improved accessibility at Yeovil Junction station have moved a step closer. A community centre in Street is providing vulnerable people with a warm, safe place to meet...and more.
Thursday 22nd January

A new NHS diagnostic centre has opened in Yeovil. The go-ahead has been given to build a replacement school for Milford Junior School in Yeovil. A new 500-bed hotel-style campus is being planned to accommodate workers at the new Agratas car battery factory near Bridgwater...and more
Wednesday 21st January

Councillors have approved controversial plans to build four large carnival club sheds near Ilminster. Somerset Council says there's an increasing gap between the cost of education and the amount the government provides to run local schools. The Bridgwater Tidal Barrier, aimed at protecting homes and businesses from flooding, has been reduced in size...and more
Tuesday 20th January

Citizens Advice says thousands of people in Somerset have lost some or all of their council tax discount. The UK's first autonomous full-size helicopter, manufactured by Leonardo in Yeovil, has successfully completed its maiden flight. A new pharmacy has opened in Wincanton...and more