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

Monday 15th June

People in Somerset are being asked to take part in a new survey about alcohol use. Yeovil's MP Adam Dance will lead a debate in Parliament today on NHS dentistry. A Yeovil runner has been selected to represent England at a national endurance championship... and more
Friday 12th June

It's claimed the increasing availability of drugs such as ketamine and cocaine has normalised drug use among young people in Somerset. The trial of a man accused of killing his one-month-old son in Chard begins today at Bristol Crown Court. A stone pillar outside the Langport Arms Hotel in Langport has been replaced after it was destroyed in a car crash... and more
Thursday 11th June

Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to the three aircrew from RNAS Yeovilton who died in last week's helicopter crash in Devon. Two men have been arrested and stolen vehicles seized following a major multi-agency operation in South Somerset. An event highlighting opportunities for women in the aerospace industry has been held in Yeovil... and more
Wednesday 10th June

The public will be consulted on how best to spend fifty million pounds of government funding to tackle flooding in Somerset. Avon and Somerset Police are backing a new road safety campaign aimed at reducing motorcycle fatalities. New welcome signs have been installed at entrances to the Mendip Hills National Landscape... and more
Tuesday 9th June

The government has announced a £50 million investment to strengthen Somerset’s flood defences. A woman from Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been banned from driving for 14 months after admitting drink-driving. Somerset Council has been told it must improve its adult social care services... and more
Monday 8th June

Plans for a new railway station in Langport remain stalled in Whitehall, according to Somerset Council. Plans to build 50 new homes in Broadway, near Ilminster, have been refused. The new water fountains in Yeovil’s Triangle, in Lower Middle Street, are being switched off during very hot weather because of safety concerns... and more.
Friday 5th June

A new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne says it won’t start operating at full capacity until July due to staff shortages. Somerset Council says it has no plans to show England matches in the World Cup on the Big Screen in Yeovil town centre due to safety concerns. A Somerset family has been thanked after completing a 73-mile walk raising money for a third world charity... and more
Thursday 4th June

An investigation continues today into the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter, based at RNAS Yeovilton, in which all three aircrew were killed. Somerset Council has confirmed that a new operator will take over several leisure centres across the county. The new live-action Masters of the Universe movie, filmed in Somerset, is released this week...and more