Local News Tuesday 6th June

Tuesday, 6 June 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The Attorney General’s office says the jail sentence given to a Yeovil man who crashed a stolen car into three pedestrians in Mosterton will not be increased. The fire service is asking people not to light bonfires and barbecues in the countryside to avoid the risk of wildfires. Plans have been submitted to convert a disused church in Langport into a house...and more.

The Attorney General’s office says the jail term given to a Yeovil man who crashed a stolen car into three pedestrians in Mosterton, killing one of them and seriously injuring the two others, will not be increased. Shane Bovey was jailed for fourteen years at Bournemouth Crown Court in May after pleading guilty to dangerous driving.

Devon and Somerset Fire Service is asking people not to light bonfires and barbecues in the countryside in the warm weather to avoid the risk of fire. It follows parts of the county being put at the second highest level of wildfires breaking out on the Fire Severity Index.

Tourism businesses in Somerset say they're feeling cautiously optimistic ahead of the summer season. It follows a successful May half-term with outdoor attractions benefiting from the good weather. But the CEO of Visit Somerset, John Turner says despite the upturn, some tourism businesses continue to struggle.

Advice sessions are being held in West Camel, Podimore and North Cadbury for people whose homes and businesses were affected by last month’s major flood event. The drop-in events, which have been organised by Somerset Council and the Environment Agency, are being held at the Davis Hall in West Camel tomorrow, Wednesday, 7th June, The Podimore Inn at Podimore on Thursday, June 8th, and at North Cadbury Village Hill next Monday, June 12th.

A ‘plant swap’ is being held in Yeovil tomorrow. Take along a plant from your own garden and exchange it for another plant. Organised by Yeovil In Bloom with two thousand plants to give away, it’s taking place in the grounds of St John’s Church in Yeovil.

Plans have been submitted to convert a disused church in Langport into a house. The application is to connect the former United Reform Church building on Bow Street to the property next door, to create one large house. The building was closed as a church in May 2021.

More from News

Monday 15th June

People in Somerset are being asked to take part in a new survey about alcohol use. Yeovil's MP Adam Dance will lead a debate in Parliament today on NHS dentistry. A Yeovil runner has been selected to represent England at a national endurance championship... and more
Friday 12th June

It's claimed the increasing availability of drugs such as ketamine and cocaine has normalised drug use among young people in Somerset. The trial of a man accused of killing his one-month-old son in Chard begins today at Bristol Crown Court. A stone pillar outside the Langport Arms Hotel in Langport has been replaced after it was destroyed in a car crash... and more
Thursday 11th June

Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to the three aircrew from RNAS Yeovilton who died in last week's helicopter crash in Devon. Two men have been arrested and stolen vehicles seized following a major multi-agency operation in South Somerset. An event highlighting opportunities for women in the aerospace industry has been held in Yeovil... and more
Wednesday 10th June

The public will be consulted on how best to spend fifty million pounds of government funding to tackle flooding in Somerset. Avon and Somerset Police are backing a new road safety campaign aimed at reducing motorcycle fatalities. New welcome signs have been installed at entrances to the Mendip Hills National Landscape... and more
Tuesday 9th June

The government has announced a £50 million investment to strengthen Somerset’s flood defences. A woman from Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been banned from driving for 14 months after admitting drink-driving. Somerset Council has been told it must improve its adult social care services... and more
Monday 8th June

Plans for a new railway station in Langport remain stalled in Whitehall, according to Somerset Council. Plans to build 50 new homes in Broadway, near Ilminster, have been refused. The new water fountains in Yeovil’s Triangle, in Lower Middle Street, are being switched off during very hot weather because of safety concerns... and more.
Friday 5th June

A new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne says it won’t start operating at full capacity until July due to staff shortages. Somerset Council says it has no plans to show England matches in the World Cup on the Big Screen in Yeovil town centre due to safety concerns. A Somerset family has been thanked after completing a 73-mile walk raising money for a third world charity... and more
Thursday 4th June

An investigation continues today into the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter, based at RNAS Yeovilton, in which all three aircrew were killed. Somerset Council has confirmed that a new operator will take over several leisure centres across the county. The new live-action Masters of the Universe movie, filmed in Somerset, is released this week...and more