Local News Friday 12th March

Friday, 12 March 2021 07:30

A Sherborne man has appeared in court to deny an offence under the Hunting Act. Somerset Wildlife Centre is the latest to sign a petition for hedgehogs to have better protection. Police are appealing for information about a horse trailer stolen in Yeabridge, near South Petherton. Motorists are being warned of a road closure between Ilchester and Yeovil, beginning next Monday....and more

A Sherborne man has appeared in court to deny an offence under the Hunting Act. Mark Hankinson, aged 60, is accused of encouraging or assisting others in an online webinar to commit an offence under the Hunting Act 2004. A director of the Masters of Foxhounds Association, Mr Hankinson attended the hearing virtually at Westminster magistrates court and pleaded not guilty. The case was adjourned for a trial to be held in September.

Somerset Wildlife Centre is the latest to sign a petition for hedgehogs to have better protection. The petition calls for the animals to be moved into schedule 5 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981. Putting them in this category would make sure hedgehogs' nesting sites were protected from harm.

Police are appealing for information about a horse trailer stolen in Yeabridge, near South Petherton. The trailer was taken on Monday and is described as a triple axle, Ifor Williams livestock trailer. It has the registration plate CK06 RDU and has a sticker on the side FK2469. Police are also searching for a sit-on motor mower stolen from near Ashill. The mower, made by Winton, was taken from a property on Barrington Hill Road, Windmill Hill between 10 pm on Sunday and 6 am on Monday earlier this week. Call the non-emergency number 101 if you can help with information on either of these crimes.

Motorists are being warned of a road closure between Ilchester and Yeovil. Beginning next Monday, the A37 Ilchester Straight, together with part of the B3151 Yeovil Road will be subjected to re-surfacing work. Work will take place between from Monday 15 March and Thursday 1 April from 7am to 7pm weekdays. These sections of road will be closed to all traffic during these dates, except to provide access for residents and business owners.

Children at Tintinhull Primary School near have been on a virtual trip to France. Pupils at St Margaret's have spent a week on-line leaning about the French Revolution, about French food and French literature, immersing themselves in the culture of the country from the safety of their classroom.

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Friday 12th December

The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.
Thursday 11th December

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Wednesday 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 9th December

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Monday 8th December

Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Friday 5th December

Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
Thursday 4th December

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Wednesday 3rd December

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,