Monday 22nd July

Monday, 22 July 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The RSPCA in Somerset has reported a big increase in cases of animal cruelty. The mother of a Chard man, missing for more than a week in Sardinia, has launched a desperate plea to find him. A book detailing the life of one of Stalbridge’s most famous sons, the author Douglas Adams, has been gifted to Stalbridge Town Council...and more.

The RSPCA has reported a big increase in cases of animal cruelty in Somerset. The charity logged more than 800 incidents of animal cruelty in the last 12 months.

The mother of a Chard man, missing for more than a week in Sardinia, has launched a desperate plea to find him. Michael Frison, aged 25, was in Sardina and was last seen on the evening of Saturday, July 13th in the town of Luras while taking part in a volunteering project. The Foreign Office says it’s supporting the family and is in contact with the local authorities in Sardina.

Police are still trying to find a man wanted on prison recall who’s believed to be in Somerset. Joseph Bushnell, who’s 34, has links to IIlminster and Crewkerne. Anyone who knows of his whereabouts should call 999.

Plans have been submitted to extend the petrol filling station at Morrisons in Wincanton. The supermarket says to make space for the single-storey extension, the car wash will be demolished.

Lib Dem MPs in Somerset are calling on the new Labour government to hold an emergency health and social care budget. It comes as care home providers say the sector is in intensive care and in need of an urgent cash injection. The government says it is going to grip the social care crisis by delivering a new deal for care workers and creating a National Care Service.

A book detailing the life of one of Stalbridge’s most famous sons, the writer Douglas Adams, has been gifted to Stalbridge Town Council. Douglas Adams, author of the world-famous ‘Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’ credited living at the family home in Grove Lane in Stalbridge for inspiring him to write the book.

Castle Garden Centre in Sherborne has won a top prize for innovation. Castle Gardens, who also run the Brimsmore Garden Centre in Yeovil, won first prize for commercial innovation and creativity at the Midlands, Wales and West Garden Centre Association Awards.

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