The village of Thornford near Sherborne has unofficially twinned with Ukraine. Businesses in Chard say ongoing road works in the town are putting people off coming into their shops. Plans have been submitted for temporary permission to extend a stone quarry near Chard. Verbal abuse shouted at rugby referees is on the increase in Somerset and boulders are being put on the road leading to Glastonbury Tor to stop people parking.
The village of Thornford near Sherborne has unofficially twinned with Ukraine. To show solidarity with the people of Ukraine against Russian forces, locals in Thornford have put up a sign at the entrance to the village stating ‘Thornford Twinned with Ukraine’.
Businesses in Chard say ongoing road works in the town are putting people off coming into their shops. The work is part of a regeneration programme and includes introducing more trees and seating areas. But it's led to large areas of on-street parking being inaccessible. South Somerset District Council say it's been liaising with local shops to minimise disruption and has launched a grant scheme for those businesses that wish to renovate their shop fronts
Plans have been submitted for temporary permission to extend a stone quarry near Chard. A decision on the application to extend the Chard Junction Quarry at Westford Park Farm is due to be made by South Somerset District Council within the next three months.
Verbal abuse shouted at rugby referees is on the increase in Somerset. The Somerset Rugby Referees Society says the behaviour of fans, coaches, and players in recent months has grown to unacceptable levels. They claim the bad behaviour often starts with spectators and coaches and then causes a reaction from the players, making it difficult for referees to manage the game. The Rugby Referees Society is appealing for everyone at matches, to show referees more respect.
Boulders are being put on the road leading to Glastonbury Tor to stop people parking. Police say parking on the double yellow lines around the base of The Tor blocks farm traffic and emergency vehicles. Work putting the boulders in place has started and will last for three weeks. Police say blue badge holders will still be able to park in the designated spaces around The Tor.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.