Local News Friday 28th July

Friday, 28 July 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A local man has been given a four-month suspended prison sentence and a one-year driving ban after being found guilty of causing death by careless driving. The go-ahead has been given to convert a former pub in Chard into a guesthouse. The South West is one of the most competitive regions in England for renting a home...and more.

A Merriott man, found guilty of causing death by careless driving, has been given a four-month suspended prison sentence and a one-year driving ban. Christopher Banke was appearing for sentencing at Bournemouth Crown Court after earlier being found guilty of causing the death of motorcyclist, Adrian Saunders, on the A3066 at Beaminster in October 2021. Banke, who had pleaded not guilty to the careless driving charge, was ordered to pay court costs of three-and-a-half thousand pounds.

People are being encouraged to book their holiday accommodation and tourist attractions in Somerset using a new app called the Somerset Reward Card. It's to avoid commissions being paid to online travel agents and offers rewards to those who use it.

The go-ahead has been given to convert a former pub in Chard into a guesthouse. The Golden Fleece on Perry Street closed in 2020 due to poor sales. Somerset Council’s approved the change of use subject to the character of the building being retained.

The RSPCA says there were three-hundred-and-sixty reports of cat cruelty in Somerset last year. Nationally, the number is almost eighteen thousand.

The South West is one of the most competitive regions in England for the housing rental market, according to the property website Rightmove. Its figures suggest average requests for viewings per rental property stands at twenty-seven in our area.

Details have been announced of this year’s Ham Hill Dog Show. The event was cancelled last year due to the death of the Queen and takes place on Sunday, August 13th. All monies raised will go to the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard and the Friends of Ham Hill.

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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