Local News Thursday 8th December

Thursday, 8 December 2022 06:00

Local councils and charity organisations in Somerset have activated their cold weather plans. A Wincanton man has been jailed for breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Avon and Somerset Police have made 110 arrests so far as part of their Christmas crackdown on drink and drug drivers. There’s been a sharp rise in the number of people who smoke cigarettes in South Somerset...and more.

Local councils and charity organisations in Somerset have activated their cold weather plans to ensure that no one is left sleeping rough over the next few days, as temperatures are forecast to drop below freezing. Cecil Weir runs the homeless charity Julian House in Somerset. He’s asking the public to inform their local council if they see anyone sleeping rough so they can be offered a place to sleep.

A Wincanton man has been jailed for breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Appearing at Taunton Crown Court, Nicholas Edgell, aged 74, pleaded guilty to three breaches of his SHPO and also possessing indecent images of children. Edgell was jailed for two-and-a-half years but due to the time he has spent in custody will serve only a further nine months before being released.

Avon and Somerset Police have made 110 arrests so far as part of their Christmas crackdown on drink and drug drivers. People say members of the public should call 999 if they believe someone is driving or is about to drive a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

There’s been a sharp rise in the number of people who smoke cigarettes in South Somerset. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show the estimated percentage number of smokers in the district rose to 13.6 percent in 2021 compared to 11 percent in 2020. The district with the highest percentage increase was Somerset West and Taunton with the number of people smoking cigarettes up from 10.0 percent in 2020 to 17.3 percent in 2021.

A road near Langport will be partially closed today for re-surfacing. Work to re-lay the road surface in Vessies Lane in Pitney is due to be completed by 5 pm.

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Wednesday 29th October

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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