Local News Monday 6th September

Monday, 6 September 2021 06:00

More bus routes will be running across South Somerset from today. The partner of the former Yeovil Town club captain Lee Collins has repeated her criticisms of the Professional Footballers Association. It’s been revealed that only one in five licensed taxis in South Somerset are wheelchair friendly. An empty bungalow in East Lambrook near South Petherton has been damaged by fire...and more.

More bus routes will be running across South Somerset from today (06-09). Buses of Somerset have introduced a new timetable to coincide with schools going back after the summer break and an easing of coronavirus restrictions. Meanwhile, limits on using concessionary bus passes will restart from today with an end to free bus travel before 9:30 am.

The partner of the former Yeovil Town club captain Lee Collins has repeated her criticisms of the Professional Footballers Association for not giving professional players enough support at moments of crisis. Lee took his own life earlier this year after being treated for an addiction to alcohol and gambling. Rachel Gibbon says PFA needs to give a higher priority to help players suffering from mental health issues.

It’s been revealed that only one in five licensed taxis in South Somerset are wheelchair friendly. The figures from the Department for Transport show that of the 246 taxis operating in South Somerset only 48, around 20% of all vehicles, can be used by people in wheelchairs. The disability charity, Scope, says the lack of accessible public transport is robbing disabled people of their independence.

An empty bungalow in East Lambrook near South Petherton has been damaged by fire. Crews from Ilminster, Crewkerne and Somerton were brought in to tackle the blaze at the property on Owl Street.

A motorist in Marston Magna has been fined £230 for exceeding the speed limit on the A303 in South Somerset. Richard Norman pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle with a trailer at 79mph on the A303 east of Sparkford in June of this year.

A chef in South Somerset has won through to the semi-finals of a competition to find Britain's Best Young Chef. 28-year-old Ben Champkin works at The Newt, near Bruton. Ben says due to his age this will be his last chance of winning the title.

A Yeovil man is attempting to complete eight marathons in eight days for charity. Neil Rhodes is running 189 miles across North Yorkshire in aid of The Brain Charity. So far, Neil, who suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2003, has already completed three marathons since embarking on the challenge on Saturday.

More from News

Monday 16th March

Drivers are being told that it could take several more weeks yet before Hendford Hill in Yeovil reopens to traffic. A new bus service between Glastonbury and Castle Cary railway station is to start on a trial basis. Children in Chard are being given free reading books as part of a scheme founded by Dolly Parton... and more
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