Local News Thursday 5th August

    An inquest into the death of Yeovil Town captain, Lee Collins, has been told the footballer took his own life. There’s been a doubling in the number of people in the South West helping with medical research into the Covid pandemic. A decision to remove waste bins at Ham Hill country park near Yeovil has proved to be a real winner. Chard Carnival is set to go ahead this year but not on the grand scale of previous years.

    An inquest into the death of Yeovil Town captain, Lee Collins, has been told the footballer took his own life. Mr. Collins, who was 32, was found dead in a hotel bedroom in West Coker on March 31st. Colleagues said he’d struggled with depression and had an alcohol addiction. And, when the football season was cancelled due to coronavirus, had worried about money and resorted to drug-taking. Somerset Coroner, Tony Williams, recorded a verdict of suicide.

    There’s been a doubling in the number of people in the South West helping with medical research into the Covid pandemic. The National Institute for Health Research says people taking part in a recovery trial has helped save 20,000 lives. 

    A decision to remove waste bins at Ham Hill country park near Yeovil has proved to be a real winner. In a bid to stop anti-social littering, South Somerset District Council took away all litter bins at Ham Hill and put up signs asking people to take their litter home for recycling. The Council claims it’s led to an 80 percent reduction in littering at Ham Hill and has thanked visitors for contributing to the wellbeing of the country park and its wildlife.

    Chard Carnival is set to go ahead this year but not on the grand scale of previous years. With clubs not building new floats due to a lack of funds, it’s been decided that they should use their old costumes and props to stage a shorter ‘Celebration of Carnival Parade’. The parade will be held on Saturday 9th October starting at 7 pm.

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    • Wednesday 29th October

      Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.

    • Tuesday 28th October

      Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more

    • Monday 27th October

      The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more

    • Friday 24th October

      New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more

    • Thursday 23rd October

      Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more

    • Wednesday 22nd October

      A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more .

    • Tuesday 21st October

      Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid out compensation of £23 million for claims related to birth injuries. A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre...and more

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Low-level cloud

      High: 13°C | Low: 12°C

    • Chard

      Heavy Rain

      High: 14°C | Low: 12°C

    • Crewkerne

      Heavy Rain

      High: 14°C | Low: 12°C

    • Somerton

      Medium-level cloud

      High: 14°C | Low: 12°C

    • Wincanton

      Low-level cloud

      High: 13°C | Low: 12°C

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