Local News Friday 21st October

Friday, 21 October 2022 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

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