Local News Friday 18th August

Friday, 18 August 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Network Rail is investigating what services could be provided at a re-opened Chard railway station. Plans have been submitted to extend Keinton Mandeville Primary School. Somerton Town Council has introduced a dress code for its members. Yeovil is bidding for new honours in this year’s Britain in Bloom competition...and more.

Network Rail has agreed to investigate what services could be provided as part of plans to bring back a railway station to Chard. Chard Junction station fell victim to the Beeching cuts in 1966 and now a group of councillors and local business people are campaigning to have it re-opened. They’ve raised twenty thousand to prepare a business plan that will be submitted to the government before the end of the year.

Plans have been submitted to build an extension at Keinton Mandeville Primary School. Land within the school grounds that was previously a car park would be used for the two-classroom modular building.

Somerton Town Council has introduced a dress code for its members. It bans councillors from wearing summer shorts or sports clothing at meetings, also hats of any kind. The new rules apply to full council meetings, committee meetings and other events where a councillor is acting in an official capacity.

A collection of twenty ventriloquist dolls, some dating back more than one hundred years, will be sold in Sherborne later this month. They’re due to be auctioned at Charterhouse Auctions on August 31st and September 1st.

Police are searching for the driver of a blue Suzuki car believed to have left the scene of a road traffic accident in Glastonbury. The accident involving the Suzuki and a scooter happened on Old Wells Road last Friday. If you witnessed or have dashcam footage of the crash you’re asked to call the non-emergency number 101.

Yeovil is bidding for new honours in this year’s Britain in Bloom competition. It’s the twenty-seventh year the town has taken part in the South West section having won gold every year since 2011. Britain in Bloom judges visited Yeovil in July and were shown the flower displays in St. John’s Churchyard together with hearing about the charity, Able2Achieve helping with the planting.

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Thursday 30th April

More than 4,500 people have expressed interest in joining a new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne. Somerset Council says a long-term solution is needed to make Hendford Hill in Yeovil fully safe for motorists. A Somerset man has won first prize at the World Marmalade Awards... and more
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