Local News Friday 5th August

    Plans to improve the look of Wyndham Street in Yeovil are to go ahead following a change of mind by members of South Somerset District Council. An investigation is being held into a fire near Ilminster in which two campervans were destroyed. Rising costs and staffing challenges are affecting small businesses in Somerset, according to the Federation of Small Businesses. Police are asking people in South Somerset to look out for a convicted drug offender...and more.

    Plans to improve the look of Wyndham Street in Yeovil are to go ahead following a change of mind by members of South Somerset District Council. The Council voted in June to abandon smartening up the pavement and changing the road layout in Wyndham Street at a cost of £770,000. Now, it’s been decided to spend £891,000 of council reserves to carry out the work. Meanwhile, at a meeting of the Council’s Executive, it was also decided to scale back on other aspects of the Yeovil Refresh programme to ensure improvements in Westminster Street, Lower Middle Street and The Borough are completed within the deadline of 2024 set by the government for payment of a £9.75 million grant from the High Steet Improvement Fund.

    An investigation is being held into a fire near Ilminster in which two campervans were destroyed. The blaze at Sea near Ilminster broke out late on Wednesday night. A barn, in which the vehicles were parked, was also destroyed. The fire service says at the moment the cause of the blaze is ‘undetermined’.

    Rising costs and staffing challenges are affecting small businesses in Somerset, according to the Federation of Small Businesses. In a new report, the Federation says business confidence is at its lowest level since the start of the pandemic. 

    Police are asking people in South Somerset to look out for a convicted drug offender. Merseyside Police have issued an appeal through Avon and Somerset Police to find Ellis Bala, who has connections with South Somerset and who is wanted on a recall to prison for breach of his license conditions. Bala, who’s 30, is described as Albanian, 6ft 1in tall, of heavy build, with dark brown shaved hair and brown eyes. If you can help the police, please call the non-emergency number 101

    Turkey producers in Somerset are warning that prices could rise this year because they're facing increasing production costs. Local turkey farmer, Colin Reasons, says a labour shortage is also adding to problems. 

    More from News

    • Tuesday 25th August

      Fire crews have been dealing with a fire in Ilchester which broke out yesterday afternoon. Somerset’s frontline health services say heatwaves and tourism are making their jobs more difficult. A Chard health store has been named Natural Lifestyle Retailer of the Year.. and more.

    • Monday 24th August

      The Chair of the NFU has repeated calls for a longer-term plan to tackle bluetongue, Three men have been jailed for their involvement in car key burglaries in Somerset. Police say they’re treating a fire in Norton Fitzwarren as suspicious... and more.

    • Friday 21st August

      Adam Dance MP has added his voice to those criticising this week’s Channel 4 documentary on ADHD. Visitors can now explore more of Ham Hill with a new off-road mobility scooter hiring scheme. Young people are being encouraged to join the Ilminster Carnival children’s procession... and more.

    • Thursday 20th August

      Castle Cary railway station’s makeover has been officially unveiled. A new 18 million pound diagnostic centre in Bridgwater has opened. A Crewkerne teenager has been named ‘coach of the year’ for his work with Bristol City.... and more.

    • Wednesday 19th August

      The fire service in Somerset has issued a plea for the public to take every precaution to prevent wildfires. Plans have been approved for Numatic International to install one-thousand solar panels on roof of their Chard factory. Somerset fast bowler, Jake Ball, has signed a new one-year contract that will keep him at the club for the 2027 season... and more

    • Tuesday 18th August

      People across Somerset are banned from today from using hosepipes to water gardens, clean windows or cars, or fill swimming and paddling pools. More cases of the potentially deadly livestock disease Bluetongue have been confirmed in Somerset. Work is underway to improve disabled access at Holyrood Academy in Chard... and more

    • Monday 17th August

      Wessex Water, who supplies almost all homes and businesses in Somerset, has introduced a hosepipe ban effective from midnight tonight. A sinkhole on Station Road in Castle Cary has been repaired, two years after it was first discovered. A Wildcat helicopter from RNAS Yeovilton has taken part in the annual passing-out parade at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth... and more

    • Friday 14th August

      Police are investigating an incident in which obscene words were scratched onto the World War One memorial at Ham Hill. Yeovil MP Adam Dance has repeated his call for the upgrade of the town’s police station to include a custody suite. A Somerset carnival club is building a specially adapted float to allow a wheelchair user and her assistance dog to take part in this year’s carnival circuit...and more

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Sunny intervals

      High: 25°C | Low: 14°C

    • Chard

      Sunny intervals

      High: 25°C | Low: 15°C

    • Crewkerne

      Sunny intervals

      High: 25°C | Low: 15°C

    • Somerton

      Light rain shower

      High: 26°C | Low: 14°C

    • Wincanton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 25°C | Low: 13°C

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