Local News Thursday 16th September

Thursday, 16 September 2021 06:00

Former Leader of South Somerset District Council, Rick Pallister, has been giving evidence at his trial at Taunton Crown Court. Children aged 12-to-15 in Somerset are to be offered a coronavirus vaccine starting from next week. ASDA has submitted a planning application to redevelop part of their Yeovil store. Two men have appeared in court in connection with the supply of class A drugs in Yeovil...and more.

Former Leader of South Somerset District Council, Rick Pallister, has been giving evidence at his trial at Taunton Crown Court. Mr. Pallister, who denies 36 charges of alleged historic indecent assault and indecency with a child told the court he believed all contact with the alleged victims was "entirely consensual". He said he had no memory of some of the incidents described by the complainants taking place, and said several more did not take place "as described". He also flatly denied making any inappropriate contact with any of the complainants while they were under the age of 16. The case continues. (Story courtesy of Somerset Live).

Children aged 12-to-15 in Somerset are to be offered a coronavirus vaccine starting from next week. They will need the consent of their parents to receive the jab, which will be given at school. Pupils will also be able to receive a flu vaccine, in the form of a nasal spray, at the same time.

ASDA has submitted a planning application to redevelop part of their Yeovil store. The supermarket chain wants to add a new click and collect pod and drive-thru facility to the site on Preston Road. ASDA maintains the proposed changes would "have minimal impact on the visual effect of the building and on the scale of the site”. A decision on the application will now be made by South Somerset District Council.

Two men have appeared in court in connection with the supply of class A drugs in Yeovil. Lemel Plomer-Roberts from South Norwood in London and Shane Ricketts from Croydon are charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin. They were remanded in custody until their next court hearing at Taunton Crown Court on October 11th.

Events are taking place in Chard this week to celebrate the town’s proud history. ‘Heritage Week Chard’ includes an event about the town during the Second World War and the history of Chard Reservoir.

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Thursday 30th October

Bird flu has been found at a nature reserve in Somerset, closing part of it down. St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset is calling for the hospice sector to be given more central funding. The Barrington Boar in Barrington has been placed 12th in The Good Food Guide’s list of 100 best pubs in Britain... and more
Wednesday 29th October

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.
Tuesday 28th October

Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more
Monday 27th October

The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more
Friday 24th October

New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more
Thursday 23rd October

Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more
Wednesday 22nd October

A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more .
Tuesday 21st October

Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid out compensation of £23 million for claims related to birth injuries. A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre...and more