Local News Thursday 10th August

Thursday, 10 August 2023 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A Crewkerne man who drove his car on the wrong side of the M5 crashing head-on with another car and seriously injuring a passenger has been sentenced. Somerset Council says its commercial investments are not providing any net income due to rising interest rates. Organisers of South Petherton Carnival are appealing for more entries for this year’s event...and more.

A Crewkerne man who drove his car on the wrong side of the M5 crashing head-on with another car and seriously injuring a passenger has been given a sixteen-month suspended prison sentence and banned from driving for two-and-a-half years. Ryan Physick, aged twenty-seven, of Langmead Road, Crewkerne, admitted causing injury by dangerous driving and having no insurance. Exeter Crown Court was told that Physick failed a roadside breath test and told officers he’d been drinking to celebrate his birthday.

Somerset Council says its commercial investments are not providing any net income due to rising interest rates. Somerset's former four district councils, including South Somerset and the County Council, spent two-hundred-and-ninety million pounds buying properties with the aim of using the rental income to fund public service. Somerset Council, who took over ownership of the properties in April, says the returns are now less than the original borrowings and are losing money rather than generating income. It says the value of the properties, which include the Wilko store and Marks and Spencer store in Yeovil, have dropped by twenty-five million to two-hundred-and-sixty-five million pounds.

Organisers of South Petherton Carnival are appealing for more floats for this year’s event. South Petherton is the first illuminated carnival on the South Somerset circuit and takes place on Saturday 9th September. It’s free to enter and details can be found on South Petherton Carnival Facebook page.

Station Road in Crewkerne will be closed for three days next week. Work to resurface the road starts on Monday and should be completed by Wednesday. Access for residents and businesses will be maintained with a diversion in operation.

Ilminster Town Council is appealing for the return of a waste bin that’s disappeared from the Shurdrick stream at Ladymeade. They that until the bin is returned, people in Ladymeade should take their litter home with them.

More from News

Friday 30th October

Wells Cathedral says it's having to get creative to bring in more money as financial pressures continue to grow. A convenience store in Martock has been allowed to keep its alcohol licence despite an employee working there illegally. Police have seized an illegally ridden e-scooter in Yeovil in response to concerns from local residents... and more
Thursday 29th October

A Yeovil man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for attacking his mother with a knife. People in Chard are being reminded that it’s unlawful to attach flags to lamp posts and street furniture. Wincanton Racecourse has called off its 'Badger Chase Day' because the ground is too firm... and more
Wednesday 28th October

Leweston School near Sherborne has announced that it is closing with immediate effect. NHS Somerset could merge with neighbours in Bath and North-East Somerset and Dorset to cut costs. Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant has launched a campaign to get more people nominated for national honours... and more
Tuesday 27th October

Work has started building a new six-million-pound flood defence scheme in Taunton. Plans have been submitted to build a new church hall in Martock. People are being asked to donate gifts to this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal... and more
Monday 26th October

Eligible groups in Somerset are being encouraged to get their flu jabs. There’s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside Avon & Somerset Police’s control room. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, has visited Yeovil... and more.
Friday 23rd October

Somerset is the 11th most challenging place in England to be a child according to a report. Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire could have its own elected ‘Wessex Mayor’ by 2028. Cricketer, Ian Botham returns to the county this weekend... and more.
Thursday 22nd October

The NFU says that testing for the virus Bluetongue needs to be sped up. Construction of new flats on Yeovil’s Grimsby Corner site will officially begin next year. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind tomorrow... and more.
Wednesday 21st October

The owner of campsite in Somerset says a two-thousand-seven-hundred percent increase in business rates will be 'catastrophic' for his business. Plans to build nearly 300 new homes on the outskirts of Chard have been given the go ahead. Yeovil Town are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Leatherhead 5-2 at Huish Park last night... and more