Local News Friday 21st October

Friday, 21 October 2022 at 06:00

People in Somerset are being offered extra help to keep warm this winter. Councillors have been told that a private developer is being lined up to take-over ownership of Boden Mill in Chard. A shoplifter has been jailed for stealing from supermarkets in Yeovil. Work has re-started building a new seventy-four-bed care home in Wincanton. A new report says it may be another two years before work starts building the planned Chard Eastern Relief Road...and more.

People in Somerset are being offered extra help to keep warm this winter. County Councillors have voted through a 700 thousand pound package including providing warm places where people can meet like libraries and schools, help with food banks and more mental health support.

Councillors have been told that a private developer is being lined up to take-over ownership of Boden Mill in Chard. South Somerset District Council had planned to upgrade the Grade II listed building as part of the Chard regeneration scheme but was forced to scrap the plan due to a lack of funding. The district council says it’s in discussions with a private developer about taking over the site.

A shoplifter has been jailed for stealing from supermarkets in Yeovil. Billy Chapman, of no fixed address, received a one-year prison sentence at Yeovil Magistrates Court. The court was told that on four occasions during September and October, Chapman had stolen cleaning products and alcohol from two stores in Yeovil.

Work has re-started building a new seventy-four-bed care home in Wincanton. Work stopped in February building the Cornerstone Healthcare Care Home following construction firm Midas going into administration. The Markey Group successfully tendered to take over the project. Once completed, the care home will create up to 140 new jobs in Wincanton.

A new report says it may be another two years before works starts building the planned Chard Eastern Relief Road. The need for the road was first highlighted in the Chard Local Plan seven years ago but despite new housing developments in Chard work on the road has yet to start. The relief road that will stretch from the A358 Tatworth Road to the A30 Crewkerne Road, taking pressure off the existing ‘Convent Link’ junction.

Next year's Taunton Marathon and Half Marathon have been cancelled. Organisers say they’ve been struggling to attract enough runners to cover their costs and that the event is no longer viable.

More from News

Friday 30th October

Wells Cathedral says it's having to get creative to bring in more money as financial pressures continue to grow. A convenience store in Martock has been allowed to keep its alcohol licence despite an employee working there illegally. Police have seized an illegally ridden e-scooter in Yeovil in response to concerns from local residents... and more
Thursday 29th October

A Yeovil man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for attacking his mother with a knife. People in Chard are being reminded that it’s unlawful to attach flags to lamp posts and street furniture. Wincanton Racecourse has called off its 'Badger Chase Day' because the ground is too firm... and more
Wednesday 28th October

Leweston School near Sherborne has announced that it is closing with immediate effect. NHS Somerset could merge with neighbours in Bath and North-East Somerset and Dorset to cut costs. Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant has launched a campaign to get more people nominated for national honours... and more
Tuesday 27th October

Work has started building a new six-million-pound flood defence scheme in Taunton. Plans have been submitted to build a new church hall in Martock. People are being asked to donate gifts to this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal... and more
Monday 26th October

Eligible groups in Somerset are being encouraged to get their flu jabs. There’s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside Avon & Somerset Police’s control room. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, has visited Yeovil... and more.
Friday 23rd October

Somerset is the 11th most challenging place in England to be a child according to a report. Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire could have its own elected ‘Wessex Mayor’ by 2028. Cricketer, Ian Botham returns to the county this weekend... and more.
Thursday 22nd October

The NFU says that testing for the virus Bluetongue needs to be sped up. Construction of new flats on Yeovil’s Grimsby Corner site will officially begin next year. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind tomorrow... and more.
Wednesday 21st October

The owner of campsite in Somerset says a two-thousand-seven-hundred percent increase in business rates will be 'catastrophic' for his business. Plans to build nearly 300 new homes on the outskirts of Chard have been given the go ahead. Yeovil Town are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Leatherhead 5-2 at Huish Park last night... and more