Local News Thursday 18th August

    Police have arrested a man in Martock in connection with a laser being shone at aircraft. Plans to build a new primary school in Chard have been put on hold. The waiting time for a driving test in Somerset is now more than six months, according to the Motor Schools Association and a Somerset cider producer has joined a national campaign calling for cider to be made up of a minimum of 50 percent apple fruit juice.

    Police have arrested a man in Martock in connection with a laser being shone at aircraft. It follows reports of pilots operating out of RNAS Yeovilton and Bristol Airport being targeted by a laser, while flying over the Martock area. The man has since been released under investigation, and enquiries are ongoing.

    Plans to build a new primary school in Chard have been put on hold. A site for a new school has been identified with the school needed to cater to the many hundreds more new homes being built in Chard. But Somerset County Council now says currently there is no requirement for Chard to have a new primary school provided and has cancelled borrowing of £5 million pounds to fund the project. The County Council says it will look again at building a new primary school in Chard in 3-years-time.

    The waiting time for a driving test in Somerset is now more than six months, according to the Motor Schools Association. Nationally, the problem is worse with over half-a-million people currently waiting for a date to take a test. 

    A Somerset cider producer has joined a national campaign calling for cider to be made up of a minimum of 50 percent apple fruit juice. Currently, the drink can have as little as 30 percent apple juice in it. John Lawrence, who runs Lawrence's Cider in Corton Denham, near Sherborne, says it would mean planting more trees which would be good for the environment.

    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

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Sunny

      High: 15°C | Low: 6°C

    • Chard

      Sunny

      High: 15°C | Low: 6°C

    • Crewkerne

      Sunny

      High: 15°C | Low: 6°C

    • Somerton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 17°C | Low: 4°C

    • Wincanton

      Sunny

      High: 15°C | Low: 7°C

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