Local News Thursday 10th March

Thursday, 10 March 2022 06:00

Chard residents against quarry expansion.

People in South Chard have started a petition to stop the expansion of a local quarry. Police are searching for a teenage girl who’s gone missing from her home in Somerton. A home for unwanted cats and dogs in Somerset is warning of a rise in pets being brought to them as strays. A Langport man has been jailed for six years for sexual offences committed against three boys in Yeovil in the 1980s...and more.

People in South Chard have started a petition to stop the expansion of a local quarry. Aggregate Industries UK operates Chard Junction Quarry near Tatworth and has applied to extract an extra 830,000 tonnes of sand and gravel over seven years. Local residents claim the expansion will create more noise and pollution and increase lorry journeys in the area.

Police are searching for a teenage girl who’s gone missing from her home in Somerton. Jayden, who’s 15 was last seen by her family on Sunday. She’s described as 5ft 8in, of slim build with long black hair. Police believe she may have caught a train to London at Yeovil Junction station on Sunday. If you can help, please call the police non-emergency number 101.

A home for unwanted cats and dogs in Somerset is warning of a rise in pets being brought to them as strays. The organisation says as well as animals being lost or running away, owners are struggling to meet the rising costs of caring for their animals and decide to abandon them instead.

A Langport man has been jailed for six years for sexual offences committed against three boys in Yeovil in the 1980s. David Byrne was convicted of six counts of indecent assault following a trial. Byrne was previously jailed for six years in 2018 after being convicted of four counts of indecent assault.

If you live in the Chard area and have items to donate to Ukriane you’re asked to take them to the Polish Shop, in Howard Row, off Fore Street, in Chard. People in Ilminster with items to donate should take them to house number 25, Donyatt Hill in Donyatt. Tesco in Chard has also set up a collection box for donated items for Ukraine.

A popular Somerset pub has been put up for sale. The Bull Inn at Ilchester, which has a skittle alley and three-bedroom owner's flat, is advertised at £475,000.

More from News

Friday 12th December

The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.
Thursday 11th December

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Wednesday 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 9th December

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Monday 8th December

Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Friday 5th December

Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
Thursday 4th December

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Wednesday 3rd December

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,