Local News Monday 16th August

    The Oscar Mayer food factory site in Chard that closed at the weekend has been bought by Numatic. Police are expected today to name the two people killed when their light aircraft crashed at Buckland St Mary near Chard. An appeal's been launched to find volunteers to support victims of modern slavery in Somerset. Land is being sought to create a new woodland in Ilminster. An office building in Yeovil could be converted into flats.

    The Oscar Mayer food factory site in Chard that closed at the weekend has been bought by Numatic, the company famous for making the 'Henry' vacuum cleaner. Numatic, based in Chard, say they need the site to meet demand. Meanwhile, the Mayor of Chard, Jason Baker, has praised Oscar Mayer for the way in which they have handled the factory closure. He says a majority of the eight hundred workers who worked there have been found new jobs. 

    Police are expected today to name the two people killed when their light aircraft crashed at Buckland St Mary near Chard. The crash happened last Thursday on farmland and the area remains closed as the Air Accidents Investigation Branch carries out an investigation.

    An appeal's been launched to find volunteers to support victims of modern slavery in Somerset. The pilot project called ‘Hidden Voices’ is an initiative by the Diocese of Bath and Wells. It's one of the first projects of its kind in the country with funding provided by the Home Office. 

    Land is being sought to create a new woodland in Ilminster. The woodland’s being planted to mark the Queen's Platinum jubilee next year as part of the Green Canopy Project, launched by Prince Charles. 

    An office building in Yeovil could be converted into flats. Plans for a ‘change of use’ on Brunel House on the Houndstone Business Park have been submitted to South Somerset District Council. If approved, the two-storey building would be transformed into 8 one-bed and 16 two-bed flats.

    More from News

    • Friday 29th August

      The Assistant Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says she wants to instil trust in the force. Chard businesses are voicing their concerns after major roadworks started in the town. A farmer who produces potatoes for the crisp industry says the rainfall is welcome but yields will be down... and more.

    • Thursday 28th August

      A Marston Magna man who fell ill on holiday has died. A film of Yeovil’s fundraiser for famine relief is being screened tonight, forty years on. A South Somerset contestant has been ranked fifth place at the World’s Strongest Man (Natural) contest...and more.

    • Wednesday 27th August

      Concerns are being raised over the maintenance of the River Cary, following reports of planned cutbacks. It could be an earlier harvest for Somerset cider growers this autumn after a warm summer. The Teals Farm Shop has revealed plans to broaden its services...and more.

    • Tuesday 26th August

      An investigation is underway after a man was found seriously injured in the Queensway Place area of Yeovil . A man has been charged with murder following an incident in South Petherton. Yeovil Town FC have confirmed that Mark Cooper has been relieved of his duties... and more.

    • Friday 22nd August

      Six hundred parking spaces could be lost in Yeovil town centre if plans to build new homes on public car parks go ahead. The Environment Agency is to stop maintaining some rivers and streams in Somerset to save money. People in Somerset are being warned about a scam involving fake communications from the tax authorities...and more

    • Thursday 21st August

      Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, says families and hospital staff should be given more information about re-opening maternity services at Yeovil Hospital. Yeovil’s renal unit on the Lynx West Trading Estate has been told it must improve on safety. Organisers of a Live Aid concert held in Yeovil 40 years ago are trying to contact the bands that played at the event for a reunion...and more.

    • Wednesday 20th August

      The NHS says twenty-six thousand people in the South West signed up to stop smoking in the past twelve months. A teenager from Yeovil has raised more than four thousand pounds for a new dialysis machine at Bristol Children's Hospital. Yeovil Town take on Brackley Town in a National League fixture this evening, kick off at Huish Park is 7.45...and more

    • Tuesday 19th August

      Families struggling to pay for their children to have breakfast over the summer holidays are being offered free breakfast bags at a church in Chard. Police are appealing for information after a sentimental gold pocket watch was stolen in North Petherton. A Bridgwater man sets off today on a 200-mile cycle ride to Barnstaple and Exeter, raising money for Kidney Research UK...and more.

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Medium-level cloud

      High: 19°C | Low: 13°C

    • Chard

      Sunny intervals

      High: 18°C | Low: 12°C

    • Crewkerne

      Sunny intervals

      High: 18°C | Low: 12°C

    • Somerton

      Light rain

      High: 19°C | Low: 12°C

    • Wincanton

      Heavy rain shower

      High: 19°C | Low: 12°C

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