Local News Thursday 17th August

Thursday, 17 August 2023 at 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.

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Thursday 29th October

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Wednesday 28th October

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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