Local News Monday 10th May

Monday, 10 May 2021 07:30

Mark Shelford for the Conservatives has been elected the new Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset. A South Petherton man, charged with the murder of a man in Yeovil, has appeared in court to deny the charge. A Yeovil man has launched a challenge to raise money to get oxygen to hospitals in India. A Langport man has appeared in court charged with theft. People in South Somerset are being encouraged to do two-minute litter picks to help keep the local countryside clean.

Mark Shelford for the Conservatives has been elected the new Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset. Mr Shelford, a former officer in the British Army and Deputy Leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council, polled just over 161,000 votes in last Thursday’s local elections. Kerry Barker for Labour was in second place. Cleo Lake for the Green’s came third, and Heather Shearer for the Lib Dems fourth. Independent candidate, John Smith, was in fifth place.
In other results from last Thursday’s local elections: Claire Brown for the Liberal Democrats was elected to Chard Town Council.
Teresa Bond for the Conservatives and Alice Samuel for Liberal Democrats were elected to the Crewkerne Town Council.
Neil Anderton, Samantha Atherton, Claudia Cole, Howard Ellard, Emma Hix, Dawn Old were elected to Wincanton Town Council.
Kara Storey was elected to South Petherton Parish Council and Simon Jones was elected to Kingsbury Episcopi Parish Council.

A South Petherton man, charged with the murder of a man in Yeovil, has appeared in court to deny the charge. Matthew Sheridan who was appearing via a video link at Exeter Crown Court. Sheridan is accused of the fatal stabbing of Louis Bednall in Hendford Hill in Yeovil on December 12th last year. Sheridan will now face a jury trial, beginning on July 26th.

A Yeovil man has launched a challenge to raise money to get oxygen to hospitals in India, where the death toll from Covid 19 has risen above 200,000. Josh Tuck is aiming to walk 100 kilometres during May for the emergency appeal started by the British Asian Trust.

A Langport man has appeared in court charged with theft. Richard Wash of Cheapside in the town pleaded guilty at Yeovil Magistrates to stealing a bank card and making an unauthorized withdrawal. A community order was made against Wash who was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £95 and £85 costs.

People in South Somerset are being encouraged to do two-minute litter picks to help keep the local countryside clean. New litter pick stations have been installed at Yeovil Country Park and Chard Reservoir, equipped with litter pickers and reusable bags for people to use.

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Thursday 30th October

Bird flu has been found at a nature reserve in Somerset, closing part of it down. St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset is calling for the hospice sector to be given more central funding. The Barrington Boar in Barrington has been placed 12th in The Good Food Guide’s list of 100 best pubs in Britain... and more
Wednesday 29th October

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.
Tuesday 28th October

Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more
Monday 27th October

The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more
Friday 24th October

New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more
Thursday 23rd October

Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more
Wednesday 22nd October

A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more .
Tuesday 21st October

Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid out compensation of £23 million for claims related to birth injuries. A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre...and more