Local News Thursday 27th May

Thursday, 27 May 2021 06:00

South Somerset District Council has confirmed that it still wants to buy Huish Park. Help is being stepped up in Chard for people about to lose their jobs with the shutdown of the Oscar Mayer factory. A woman in her 20’s has been attacked in a so-called hate crime incident in Yeovil. It happened in the early hours of Monday. Police have been dealing with a spate of catalytic converter thefts in Castle Cary, Sparkford, North Cadbury and Bruton...and more.

South Somerset District Council has confirmed that it still wants to buy Huish Park, the home of Yeovil Town Football Club. Their announcement comes after a six-month moratorium period that allowed other parties to bid for the stadium. However, no competing bid has been made. South Somerset District Council will not own or be a shareholder of the football club. Instead, Yeovil Town FC will be a tenant of the council in the same way as other companies who are commercial tenants of the council.

Help is being stepped up in Chard for people about to lose their jobs with the shutdown of the Oscar Mayer factory. The site, which produces supermarket ready-meals, will close in three months' time with 800 people losing their jobs. Now, a project called ‘Fresh Start Chard’ has been launched to provide support to those affected by the closure

A woman in her 20’s has been attacked in a so-called hate crime incident in Yeovil. It happened in the early hours of Monday. The woman was walking towards the Pen Mill trading estate when three men shouted homophobic abuse at her. They chased her into Vale Road where she was assaulted and lost consciousness. When she came round she called a friend who alerted police before being taken to hospital. Police are asking anyone with information to call the non-emergency number 101.

Police have been dealing with a spate of catalytic converter thefts in Castle Cary, Sparkford, North Cadbury and Bruton. They say seven vehicles were targeted between 10 pm on Sunday (22-05) and lunchtime on Monday. Anyone with information that would help the police is asked to call the non-emergency number 101. If you discover your catalytic converter has been stolen, you should not drive your car but contact your insurance provider to arrange a repair.

Tributes have been paid to the sportswriter, David Foot, who has died aged 92. Born in East Coker, he was well known for his cricket reporting and was a keen follower of Somerset county cricket club. Known as Footie, he was also a prolific novelist and published author.

More from News

Thursday 1st May

There’s been a call for the Somerset Levels to be designated a National Landscape. A Yeovil man has raised £2,000 for a new school minibus at Fairmead School in Yeovil by running the London Marathon. Exmoor Ales, which provides cask ales across the region and beyond, is closing its Somerset brewery and moving the business to Surrey...and more.
Wednesday 30th April

The long-awaited refurbishment of Yeovil police station is finally to get underway this summer. Plans have been approved to build 185 new homes off Bunford Lane in Yeovil. Police have arrested three men in Yeovil for being involved in the supply of Class A drugs. A Somerset jockey has been named Champion Conditional Jockey of 2025...and more.
Tuesday 29th April

New figures have shown that registering as a new patient with an NHS dentist in Somerset is still just as difficult as it was six months ago. The go-ahead has been given to build 160 new houses on Station Road in Castle Cary. A sailor from South Petherton has been chosen to lead a team in the round-the-world Clipper Race...and more.
Monday 28th April

Somerset Council is being criticised for taking too long to re-open Yeovil's Octagon Theatre. The Liberal Democrats have won a seat on Chard Town Council by one vote. Dates have been announced for this year’s illuminated carnival processions in South Somerset...and more.
Friday 25th April

Police are investigating the theft of a motorbike in Ilminster. Tributes have been paid to the former Yeovil Town player-manager, Cecil Irwin, who has died aged 83. Town criers from across the South West will be in Yeovil tomorrow competing for the loudest voice in the Yeovil Town Crier Competition 2025...and more
Thursday 24th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident in which a child was struck by a car in Yeovil. This week, a planning inquiry is being held into plans to turn a Somerset shopping centre into a retirement complex. A Somerset woman is planning to walk the 70-miles of Hadrian's Wall to mark her 90th birthday...and more.
Wednesday 23rd April

Tourism bosses in Somerset say they feel confident the County will have a good summer for visitors this year. A group representing care providers in Somerset is warning that some residential homes are at risk of going out of business due to rising costs. A Somerset animal charity has taken into care, three orphaned badger cubs...and more.
Tuesday 22nd April

The Care Quality Commission has given two GP practices in Yeovil a 'good' overall rating. According to insurers, AXA, thefts at commercial premises in Somerset are on the rise. Bus users in Somerset could see changes to the frequency of services when the new West of England mayor takes office. Martock is to host its first Pride event in June...and more.