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.

More from News

Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more