Local News Friday 5th March 

    Yeovil's Octagon Theatre Auditorium

    Ten-million pounds of government money is being given to extend Yeovil's Octagon Theatre. A Langport man has pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence of drugs. Police are using drones and thermal imaging to tackle growing incidents of hare coursing in South Somerset. Leonardo in Yeovil are warning of noise disturbance when test flights are held at their airfield this weekend.

    Ten-million pounds of government money is being given to extend Yeovil's Octagon Theatre. The funding was announced in Wednesday’s Budget with Yeovil just one of a handful of places to be given support. The cash will go towards the venue's expansion project, estimated at costing £23 million. Meanwhile, South Somerset is one of six South West areas identified to receive part of the government’s £220 million community renewal fund. Each of the 100 places selected will receive £20,000 each. The funds are to be used to support communities’ pilot local programmes.

    A Langport man has pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence of drugs. Luke Birchley, of Stoney Ridge in the town, was caught by Police on the M5 in April last year. He was fined £240 with costs of £85. Birchley was fined a further £120 for driving without insurance.

    Police are using drones and thermal imaging to tackle growing incidents of hare coursing in South Somerset. That's where criminal gangs set dogs to chase hares, often betting large amounts of money. 

    People have until the end of March to apply for jobs at the new ‘Home Bargains’ in Chard, due to open this summer. The store, which will be on the old Lidl site on Boden Street, is advertising for a store manager, assistant manager and store supervisor, as well as team members. For details of all the jobs go to the Home Bargains website.

    Leonardo in Yeovil are warning of noise disturbance when test flights are held at their airfield this weekend. The test flights are due to take place on Sunday morning.

    More from News

    • Friday 13th March

      The first of the new medium lift helicopters being built by Leonardo in Yeovil for the RAF will be delivered in 2031. Somerset Council has launched a public consultation on planned new charges at its two hundred public car parks. More women in Somerset are said to be taking up walking football... and more

    • Thursday 12th March

      A Yeovil headteacher says he’s concerned about plans to stop giving school holiday food vouchers to families on low incomes. The owner of Yeovil Town is calling on fans to be patient as he continues his overhaul of the National League side. A high voltage fault is being blamed for plunging 1700 homes into darkness in the Ilminster area... and more

    • Wednesday 11th March

      Plans have been submitted to convert two properties in Yeovil into houses of multiple occupation. A new court date has been announced for a Yeovil man charged with attempted murder. An engineer who has worked at the Leonardo factory in Yeovil for 40-years has won a top industry award... and more

    • Tuesday 10th March

      Police say a fire at the former Oscar Mayer food factory in Chard was started deliberately. Yeovil College says it would have been adversely affected had Leonardo not won the contract to build new medium-lift helicopters. A seven-foot dragon will be visiting towns and villages in our area during the next few weeks to promote Somerset Day... and more

    • Monday 9th March 

      Two Wildcat helicopters from 815 Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton have arrived in Cyprus to help protect RAF Akrotiri from further Iranian drone strikes. New figures show that 40 people were killed on Avon and Somerset’s roads in the last 12-months. A Somerset man has been recalling the day 60-years ago when he was a passenger on the last train on the Somerset and Dorset Railway... and more

    • Friday 6th March

      Defence Minister Luke Pollard has been explaining why it took the government so long to confirm a contract for the Leonardo in Yeovil to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. Police are investigating a break in at a pet shop in Ilminster. Somerset Council is to stop using red ink on council tax reminder letters... and more

    • Thursday 5th March

      Two military helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton are being sent to Cyprus to help bolster UK’s defences amid the US-Israel war with Iran. Yeovil Town Council is seeking legal advice over the closure of the hyper acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. Flood warnings have been lifted on the Somerset Levels... and more

    • Wednesday 4th March

      A man has died in a fire in Wincanton. Somerset Council is planning further cuts of twenty-one million pounds to help balance its books. A campaign to raise £30,000 for a minibus has been launched in Chard... and more

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Medium-level cloud

      High: 11°C | Low: 8°C

    • Chard

      Medium-level cloud

      High: 11°C | Low: 8°C

    • Crewkerne

      Medium-level cloud

      High: 11°C | Low: 8°C

    • Somerton

      Medium-level cloud

      High: 12°C | Low: 9°C

    • Wincanton

      Medium-level cloud

      High: 11°C | Low: 8°C

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