Tuesday 19th September

Tuesday, 19 September 2023 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Police are investigating an attack on an elderly man in Ilton. Sixty-five local jobs have been created with the opening of a new McDonalds near Ilminster. A recruitment campaign has been launched for gritter drivers, to keep Somerset’s roads safe this winter...and more.

Police are investigating an attack on an elderly man in Ilton. It happened in Ilton Play Park off Copse Lane on Wednesday, August 23rd but has only now been made public. The man, in his seventies, was treated in hospital after falling onto play equipment when he was pushed to the ground by a youth said to be aged seventeen, white, six foot tall, of slim build with short dark hair, and wearing a black T-shirt. Anyone who witnessed the attack or who can help the police with information is asked to call the non-emergency number 101.

A man from Somerset - whose mother took her own life when he was just fifteen - says more conversations about mental health need to be had to prevent young people from considering suicide. Guy Locke is preparing to run the southwest coastal path next month in memory of his mother and to raise money for the suicide prevention charity Papyrus.

Sixty-five local jobs have been created with the opening this week of a new McDonalds near Ilminster. The restaurant and drive-through on the Southfields Enterprise Park off the A303 starts serving customers on Thursday at 11 a.m.

People in Somerset are being urged to check their electoral registration details or risk losing their chance to vote. Letters are being sent to all households as part of the annual canvass by Somerset Council to keep the register up-to-date and identify those at risk of losing their voice at elections.

A recruitment campaign’s been launched for gritter drivers to keep Somerset’s roads safe this winter. Drivers will be offered temporary contracts to cover the winter maintenance season, starting in November. Applicants should have a valid winter maintenance qualification or experience.

Yeovil disabled athlete, Jules Allen, has won both bronze and silver in wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby at the Invictus Games. Jules says this will be his last Invictus and is looking for a new role to stay involved with the event.

More from News

Friday 30th October

Wells Cathedral says it's having to get creative to bring in more money as financial pressures continue to grow. A convenience store in Martock has been allowed to keep its alcohol licence despite an employee working there illegally. Police have seized an illegally ridden e-scooter in Yeovil in response to concerns from local residents... and more
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