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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Friday 12th December

The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.
Thursday 11th December

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Wednesday 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 9th December

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Monday 8th December

Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Friday 5th December

Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
Thursday 4th December

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Wednesday 3rd December

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,