Local News Friday 20th January

Friday, 20 January 2023 07:23

A new large-scale solar farm could be built near Crewkerne. Greentech Ltd has submitted an inquiry to South Somerset District Council about using land on Dunsham Lane in Wayford for the scheme. The Environment Agency says flood water on the Somerset Levels is receding but that a major incident remains in place. Councillor Jenny Kenton has been elected as the new Mayor of Chard...and more.

A new large-scale solar farm could be built near Crewkerne. Greentech Ltd has submitted an inquiry to South Somerset District Council about using land on Dunsham Lane in Wayford for the scheme. The company claims the site would be enclosed to prevent it from impacting the character of the village.

The Environment Agency says flood water on the Somerset Levels is receding but that a major incident remains in place. Extra pumps are being used to remove the excess water but residents and the Leader of Somerset County Council, Councillor Bill Revans have both accused the Agency of not acting fast enough.

Councillor Jenny Kenton has been elected as the new Mayor of Chard. Her appointment follows the resignation in December of Councillor Martin Carnell as Mayor. Councillor Kenton will serve until May when a fresh election will be held to fill the post of Mayor. The new Deputy Mayor of Chard is Councillor Claire Brown.

The Chair of Avon and Somerset Police Federation, Mark Loker, wants his colleagues to speak out if they have suspicions about their fellow officers. It follows the case of David Carrick - the former Met Police Officer who committed numerous acts of sexual abuse, including rape, while a serving officer.

The owner of a flower shop in Ilminster has donated £500 towards the costs of the town’s Christmas lights. Angie Blackwell of Cottage Flowers in the High Street raised the money by giving a demonstration of festive flower arranging at The Warehouse Theatre in Ilminster in December.

The Fixy Reuse van operated by Somerset Waste Partnership is in Martock today. It’s parked outside the Parish Hall until 1 pm for people to hand in items of unwanted tech equipment like PCs, laptops and screens. All the items will be re-used.

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Thursday 18th April

A Martock man has been jailed after admitting to shining lasers at aircraft flying over Yeovil. Police are investigating an attempted break-in at the TK Maxx store at Babylon Hill. Nearly four hundred people have put their names forward for redundancy at Somerset Council...and more.
Wednesday 17 April

Three local primary schools have been named on a list of England's top five hundred primary schools. A new co-working space for businesswomen has opened in Wincanton. Urgent repairs are being carried out to Ilminster's new public clock after it started showing the wrong time...and more
Tuesday 16th April

A new operator has been found to run a Chard care home that has been at risk of closure. A licence has been granted to run a new music festival in West Dorset. People have until midnight tonight to register for a vote in the election for a Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset...and more.
Monday 15th April

Four people have been arrested as part of an investigation into the illegal supply of prescription-only drugs in Yeovil. A Yeovil man has appeared in court in connection with two burglaries in Langport. A well-known farm and restaurant business in South Petherton has been put up for sale. New figures have shown a further decline in the number of House Sparrows in Somerset...and more.
Friday 12th April

Yeovil Town will play National League football next season after beating Truro 2-0 last night to win promotion and the National League South title. Somerset Council says the cost of keeping Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre closed has risen to £140,000 a year. A holiday website has reported a 31 percent upturn in visitor numbers to Somerset...and more.
Thursday 11th April

Yeovil Town get another chance tonight to clinch promotion when they play away against Truro. Citizens Advice in Somerset says people are continuing to struggle with the cost of living. Some of England’s loudest voices will be heard in Yeovil later this month when the town's annual town crier competition takes place...and more,
Wednesday 10th April

A former sub-postmaster from Wincanton says she's having to work a 70-hour week to pay off debts she incurred due to the Post Office IT scandal. Two people have been fined for illegal fishing in Yeovil. Images of wildlife taken by a photographer in Somerton have been chosen to feature on a new set of charity cards...and more.
Tuesday 9th April

Lloyds Bank is being asked to reconsider closing its branch in Ilminster, leaving the town without a bank. A stretch of the A303 will close later this month as part of dualling the road between Sparkford and Podimore. A dragon parade is to be held in Chard later this month to mark St George’s Day...and more.