Local News Thursday 19th May

Thursday, 19 May 2022 at 06:00

Chris Hargreaves (Photo courtesy of Somerset Live)

Yeovil Town have announced that their new manager is Chris Hargreaves. It’s hoped new government legislation to bring empty shops back into use will help rejuvenate Somerset's high streets. An Ilminster man has appeared in court charged with ten offences. Somerset Wildlife Trust has teamed up with National Highways to help give more protection to Dormice. A pub in Somerton has won national recognition for its hospitality...and more.

Yeovil Town have announced that their new manager is Chris Hargreaves who joins the Glovers from Bristol Rovers where he was manager of the Youth Academy. Before that, he was Head Coach at Torquay United. Chris has signed a two-year contract with Yeovil and says he’s delighted to be joining a club that has such a proud history.

It’s hoped new government legislation to bring empty shops back into use will help rejuvenate Somerset's high streets. Roger Smith from Somerset Chamber of Commerce says the empty units in a town centre like Yeovil should be used for things other than retail.

An Ilminster man has appeared in court charged with ten offences. Matthew Barratt of Foundry Close was charged amongst others with two counts of burglary, taking a vehicle without consent, and assaulting an emergency worker, when he appeared at Yeovil Magistrates Court.

Somerset Wildlife Trust has teamed up with National Highways to help give more protection to Dormice. It’s part of the Dormouse Reconnected project that’s aimed at re-connecting populations of the rare hazel dormouse.

A pub in Somerton has won national recognition for its hospitality. The White Hart located in the historic market square in Somerton is described in the new edition of the Sawday’s good pubs guide as a ‘16th-century gem of an Inn’.

Two landscape designers from Bruton are going to this year’s Chelsea Flower Show to raise awareness of re-wilding. Adam Hunt’s and Lulu Urquhart’s entry will focus on beavers and their return to the wild after an absence of 400 years.

A day spa on the Dillington Estate near Ilminster has made it through to the finals of the Professional Beauty Awards. Transformations Hair and Beauty is on a list of six entries shortlisted for the ‘Boutique Salon of the Year’ award.

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Thursday 29th October

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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