Local News Friday 5th August

Friday, 5 August 2022 06:00

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

Friday 14th November

Yeovil Hospital has introduced a new system for handling patients at its A&E department aimed at cutting waiting times. It’s claimed that an Iron Age settlement preserved under Somerset's wetlands for 2,000 years is facing erosion due to climate change. Montacute Road in Tintinhull will be closed for five days next week for repairs to a gas main.
Thursday 13th November

Workers at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil are taking part in a second day of strike action in their dispute over pay. Lloyds Bank has closed its branch in Chard permanently. A week-long programme of tree planting will be held at Ham Hill later this month to mark National Tree Week...and more
Wednesday 12th November

Workers belonging to the Unite union at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil begin a two-day strike today. Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, has been speaking in a parliamentary debate on improving dyslexia support in schools. South Western Ambulance Service is inviting applications for positions on its governing council...and more
Tuesday 11th November

Somerset residents are being urged to get a flu jab as cases of flu continue to rise. Seven horse saddles have been stolen in a break-in at a riding school in Queen Camel. Donations of children’s toys are needed for this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal...and more
Monday 10th November

It’s claimed Somerset Council has lost nearly £5 million selling the Marks and Spencer building in Yeovil. A car has been set on fire in a suspected arson attack in Shepton Mallet. A Crewkerne man says night-time noise from the town's Waitrose store is causing him and his family "sleep disturbance" ... and more.
Friday 7th November

A man from Yeovil has been jailed for eight years after being convicted of three counts of rape. Smoking rates in Somerset remain higher than in many other parts of the UK. Students at three schools in Yeovil have created a new shoe design for Clarks.
Thursday 6th November

The Supreme Court has ruled that building thousands of homes in Somerset has been "unlawfully held up". The Head of Holyrood Academy in Chard has described the building of a new primary school in the town as an ‘incredible opportunity’. A pub near Chard has been named one of the best in Britain by The Good Food Guide...and more
Wednesday 5th November

Members of the Unite union at Leonardo in Yeovil have called off a planned strike for today. South Western Railway says trains on the West of England Line will start running normally again at the end of the month. A memorial post box has been placed at the entrance to Crewkerne cemetery...and more.