Thursday 25th July

Thursday, 25 July 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A crowdfunding appeal has been launched raising money to help find a Chard man missing for almost two weeks in Sardinia. Somerset Council is to sell off some of its buildings to help balance the books. Building work on the UK's biggest electric vehicle battery factory near Bridgwater will begin next month...and more.

A crowdfunding appeal has been launched to raise money for a Chard man missing in Sardinia. The appeal has so far raised £2,200, which will be used to pay for a group of volunteers to travel to Sardinia to help find Michael Frison. It’s now almost two weeks since Michael was last seen.

A local man is part of a group taking a bank to the High Court over excessive mortgage repayments. David Riley bought a house in Yeovil in 2006 with a mortgage from Northern Rock, which then collapsed a year later. He and thousands of others were left trapped with excessive mortgage repayments they couldn't get out of.

Avon and Somerset Police have increased checks on detainees held in custody after concerns they were at risk of self-harm. It follows a report that found detainees were sometimes left undressed in cells after having their clothing removed. Avon and Somerset Chief Constable, Sarah Crew, says more regular checks on detainees are now being made.

Members of Somerset Council have voted to sell off some of the council’s most iconic buildings to help balance the books. It's part of plans by the council to save tens of millions of pounds by cutting jobs and transferring the delivery of non-statutory services to town and parish councils.

Building work on the UK's biggest electric vehicle battery factory near Bridgwater will begin next month. Piling work on Building One will begin first and run until spring next year. Quieter work will be done at night and around two hundred lorry movements are expected every day at the peak of construction work. The global battery business, Agratas, says it'll try to mitigate the impact on local people and promises to deliver on its 'local first' commitment to jobs and skill.

A Chard mother has started a podcast for other mothers to share their stories on parenting. Annie Tombs describes herself as a stay-at-home mum to her three-year-old son Eli and previously worked in special needs education. Last year, she started a Facebook group called Mums and Munchkins that now has more than 500 members, offering advice to mothers, together with children’s items for sale, and quick and easy children’s meal recipes.

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