Local News Wednesday 13th October

Wednesday, 13 October 2021 06:00

A ban on street drinking in Yeovil town centre is to be expanded. Police are investigating the theft of silver items from a church in Chard. A consortium of Yeovil Town supporters groups has called on the club’s owner to either invest more money in the club or to sell up. A new memorial is to be built in the village of Ilton to commemorate local members of the military who died defending Britain. A woman who came to Yeovil as a Ugandan refugee in 1972 is putting together an exhibition about her experiences.

A ban on street drinking in Yeovil town centre is to be expanded. The town centre has been covered by a public space protection order since October 2019 giving police and the local council powers to stop people drinking in public. The order will now be extended to cover the western side of Wyndham Hill, including parts of Yeovil Country Park, Newton Road, Ivel Court and Sherborne Road.

Police are investigating the theft of silver items from a church in Chard. Two solid silver plates and a silver pot with a lid were taken from St Mary's Church sometime between Sunday, October 3rd and Wednesday, October 6th. Police are keen to speak with a man and a woman seen acting suspiciously in the church at around 3 pm on Monday, October 4th. If you can help the police with their inquiries please call the non-emergency number 101.

A consortium of Yeovil Town supporters groups has called on the club’s owner to either invest more money in the club or to sell up. There's been increasing speculation that Scott Priestnall could be about to sell Yeovil Town to one of two groups interested in taking over but there's been no comment on the rumours from Mr. Priestnall. Members of Yeovil Town Supporters Alliance say they’re concerned about loans taken out by Mr. Priestnall and are asking for clarity on the club’s finances.

A new memorial is to be built in the village of Ilton to commemorate local members of the military who died defending Britain. Men from Ilton were lost in both world wars but the village has never remembered their names. Ilton Parish Council says the oak cross memorial will be in place on the village green in time for next month’s Remembrance Day commemorations.

A woman who came to Yeovil as a Ugandan refugee in 1972 is putting together an exhibition about her experiences. Pragna Hay and her family were accommodated at Houndstone Camp after fleeing Uganda under threat of persecution. Her exhibition will form part of events to mark the 50th anniversary next year of coming to Yeovil. Pragna says she will always be grateful to the people of Yeovil even though settling to a new life in the town was never easy.

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Friday 12th December

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Thursday 11th December

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Wednesday 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 9th December

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Monday 8th December

Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Friday 5th December

Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
Thursday 4th December

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more