Local News Friday 11th June

Friday, 10 June 2022 at 06:00

Plans to improve the appearance of Yeovil town centre are to be scaled back due to rising costs. Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has issued a warning following a house fire caused by sunlight. Work to restore the fabric of the historic School House, part of Chard School, in Chard, is nearing completion and Crewkerne boxer, Moken Mills has been crowned New England Boxing National Schools Champion 2022.

Plans to improve the appearance of Yeovil town centre are to be scaled back due to rising costs. South Somerset District Council is aiming to regenerate the town centre through the Yeovil Refresh programme, which combines improvements to public areas, with better transport links and supports private development on brownfield sites. However, the council has now announced that planned works in Wyndham Street have had to be put on hold due to a shortage of cash. The council has budgeted a little over £10.3m to deliver improvements to the public realm in Yeovil town centre - with much of this coming from a £9.75m grant from the government's future high streets fund. Additional funding of £1.7million was agreed upon by the council in February as a result of rising labour and materials costs - which have drastically increased in recent months as a result of Brexit, the Ukraine war and the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has issued a warning following a house fire caused by sunlight. The property suffered extensive damage after sunlight was refracted off a mirror, setting light to soft furnishings. The fire service says it was a rare event but that homeowners need to be alert to the dangers of exposed glass surfaces reflecting the heat of the sun onto combustible materials.

Work to restore the fabric of the historic School House, part of Chard School, in Chard, is nearing completion. The School House on Fore Street built-in 1583 is one of the oldest buildings in the town and has been renovated with a grant from the Chard High Street Heritage Action Zone. High Street heritage action zone project manager, Anna Matthews says they’re looking forward to working with other building owners in Chard to repair and improve premises through the grant scheme.

Crewkerne boxer, Moken Mills, has been crowned New England Boxing National Schools Champion 2022 making him the best in the Country at his age and weight. The junior boxer defeated his opponent by a unanimous decision in the final of the competition. Moken, who trains at Crewkerne Boxing Club has now gone eight fights without defeat. This latest win makes him the best young boxer in England at his age and weight.

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