Local News Thursday 17th August

Thursday, 17 August 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh is blocking plans to divert five million pounds away from regenerating the former cattle market and Glovers Walk in Yeovil. A campaign’s been launched in Somerset to help hedgehogs get around more easily. The actor James Purefoy will switch on the Christmas Lights in Ilminster this year...and more.

Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh is blocking plans to divert five-million pounds of government funding away from regenerating the former cattle market and Glovers Walk in Yeovil. Somerset Council has asked the Department of Communities for the money to be re-allocated to the Yeovil Refresh Project which is four million pounds over budget with further investment needed to pay for unplanned works. Mr Fysh says the five-million pounds was given specifically to help with re-purposing the Cattle Market and Glovers Walk, and should be spent on those projects.

A campaign’s been launched in Somerset to make it easier for hedgehogs to get around more easily. Currently, they have difficulty moving between gardens due to fences blocking their way. Now, two animal charities have launched a campaign aimed at persuading fencing manufacturers to produce fences with hedgehog entry points to allow the animals to move about more freely.

The British Disabled Strongman and Strongwoman championships take place in Chard next weekend. Disabled athletes from across the UK will be in the town competing to be Britain’s strongest disabled man and woman. The event's being held at Holyrood Academy on the 26th and 27th of August.

This year’s Christmas lights in Ilminster will be switch-on by the actor James Purefoy. Organisers say a twenty-foot-high Christmas tree they plan for the town centre will be the tallest in Somerset.

Organisers of the village newsletter in Donyatt have been presented with a cheque for four hundred pounds. The money was raised by Donyatt Flower Club and will be used to pay the running costs of producing the newsletter.

More from News

Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more