Local News Thursday 26th January

Thursday, 26 January 2023 at 06:00

St Margaret's Hospice has admitted to losing one-million pounds in a failed business venture. A Yeovil shop owner is asking to be compensated for the loss of customers that she claims is due to the disruption caused by the improvement works to the town centre. A Somerset mother has set up a website to help other parents protect children when they're on their phones... and more.

St Margaret's Hospice has admitted to losing one-million pounds in a failed business venture. The Somerset-based charity bought into a franchise, opening funeral shops and offering funeral plans but after 5-years of trading the business closed after running up huge debts.

A Yeovil shop owner is asking to be compensated for the loss of customers that she claims is due to the disruption caused by the improvement works to the town centre. Speaking to members of South Somerset District Council, Rachel Charles, who owns Sports of Bond Street, described the Yeovil Refresh Project as a “terrible disaster” and asked the council to compensate her and other independent businesses for the loss of trade. Portfolio holder for Yeovil Refresh, Councillor Peter Gubbins, said no money was available within the Refresh budget to compensate businesses and claimed the drop in footfall could be due to other factors and not just the disruption caused by the town centre improvements.

A Somerset mother has set up a website to help other parents protect children when they're on their phones. Miranda Wilson was shocked by what she was hearing from friends about online abuse and decided to act.

Somerset Community Foundation says donations to its Surviving Winter Appeal have risen to £150,000, taking the total donated since the appeal launched in 2010 to over one million pounds. Money is donated to the Appeal by people who receive the government’s Winter Fuel Allowance and who feel they don’t need the payment.

A group of Yeovil Town supporters has launched an appeal to pay for the headstone on the grave of former player Johnny Hayward to be restored. Johnny Hayward holds the record for being Yeovil’s highest goal scorer, having netted 548 times during his 20-year career with the Glovers.

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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