Local News Thursday 31st August

Thursday, 31 August 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Engineers have concluded that the weather rather than work laying a new pavement in the High Street in Yeovil has caused the War Memorial to lean. The UK's first artificial sports pitch made entirely from corn was laid at Preston School in Yeovil. Yeovil Town Council is appealing for help finding a time capsule...and more.

Structural engineers have concluded that the weather rather than work laying a new pavement in the High Street in Yeovil has caused the War Memorial to lean. Concerns were raised about the structure's safety shortly after work began in The Borough laying new pavement slabs. In a report, engineers say hydration within the stonework is the most likely reason why the upper section has developed a slight lean.

The UK's first artificial sports pitch made entirely out of corn has been laid at Preston School in Yeovil. It has cost nearly seven hundred thousand pounds and comes ahead of an expected ban in Europe on traditional 3G pitches that use microplastics.

A Somerset housing developer has welcomed plans to ease water pollution restrictions for new developments. Up to one hundred thousand new homes could be built by 2030 if EU rules around house building near waterways are loosened. Environmental groups have described the move as "disgraceful" but housing developer, Chris Winter, says the current regulations need to be changed.

The Somerset Building Preservation Trust has outlined plans to restore the old courthouse building in Chard. The Trust bought the lease to Number Nine Fore Street in May this year and through a programme of tailored repairs will give the building a new communal purpose.

Yeovil Town Council is trying to trace a time capsule believed to be buried under the Millennium Clock in Yeovil town centre. The capsule, containing items of Yeovil history, is thought to have been deposited in the clock's foundations when it was erected in 1999. The Town Council would like to hear from anyone who can shed light on the capsule's existence or anyone with photographs of the ceremony held to mark the capsule’s burial.

A date has been announced to open a new McDonald’s near Ilminster. The restaurant and drive-thru at the Southfields Enterprise Park off the A303 will open from Thursday, September 20th and has created sixty-five new jobs.

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Friday 12th June

It's claimed the increasing availability of drugs such as ketamine and cocaine has normalised drug use among young people in Somerset. The trial of a man accused of killing his one-month-old son in Chard begins today at Bristol Crown Court. A stone pillar outside the Langport Arms Hotel in Langport has been replaced after it was destroyed in a car crash... and more
Thursday 11th June

Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to the three aircrew from RNAS Yeovilton who died in last week's helicopter crash in Devon. Two men have been arrested and stolen vehicles seized following a major multi-agency operation in South Somerset. An event highlighting opportunities for women in the aerospace industry has been held in Yeovil... and more
Wednesday 10th June

The public will be consulted on how best to spend fifty million pounds of government funding to tackle flooding in Somerset. Avon and Somerset Police are backing a new road safety campaign aimed at reducing motorcycle fatalities. New welcome signs have been installed at entrances to the Mendip Hills National Landscape... and more
Tuesday 9th June

The government has announced a £50 million investment to strengthen Somerset’s flood defences. A woman from Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been banned from driving for 14 months after admitting drink-driving. Somerset Council has been told it must improve its adult social care services... and more
Monday 8th June

Plans for a new railway station in Langport remain stalled in Whitehall, according to Somerset Council. Plans to build 50 new homes in Broadway, near Ilminster, have been refused. The new water fountains in Yeovil’s Triangle, in Lower Middle Street, are being switched off during very hot weather because of safety concerns... and more.
Friday 5th June

A new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne says it won’t start operating at full capacity until July due to staff shortages. Somerset Council says it has no plans to show England matches in the World Cup on the Big Screen in Yeovil town centre due to safety concerns. A Somerset family has been thanked after completing a 73-mile walk raising money for a third world charity... and more
Thursday 4th June

An investigation continues today into the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter, based at RNAS Yeovilton, in which all three aircrew were killed. Somerset Council has confirmed that a new operator will take over several leisure centres across the county. The new live-action Masters of the Universe movie, filmed in Somerset, is released this week...and more
Wednesday 3rd June

A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with assaulting three police officers. Somerset Council has begun legal action to recover more than £320,000 owed by housing developers. The line-up has been announced for this year’s Ilminster Midsummer Experience...and more