Local News Wednesday 14th September

Wednesday, 14 September 2022 06:00

A Yeovil man has been jailed for seven years for sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl. A Somerset couple has returned from visiting London where they laid seventy bouquets of flowers outside the gates of Buckingham Palace. South Western Railway has welcomed the decision by trade unions to suspend strike action this weekend. Traffic was disrupted for a time near Wincanton yesterday when a car caught fire. Manor Court Community Primary School in Chard has been presented with an Artsmark Gold Award...and more.

A Yeovil man has been jailed for seven years for sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl. Taunton Crown Court was told that Paul Morgan (pictured) had carried out 'an extensive campaign' of grooming and manipulation on the girl. Morgan, who pleaded guilty to all charges against him, was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life.

A Somerset couple has returned from visiting London where they laid seventy bouquets of flowers outside the gates of Buckingham Palace. Russell and his partner Gemma say the seventy floral tributes were to mark each of the seventy years of the Queen’s reign.

South Western Railway, which runs trains through Yeovil Junction station, has welcomed the decision by trade unions to suspend strike action following the death of Queen Elizabeth. The action was due to take place this week on Thursday and Saturday. SWR says it will be reinstating normal service for the days which would have been affected by the strikes.

Traffic was disrupted for a time near Wincanton yesterday when a car caught fire. It happened just after 9 am at the Holbrook roundabout. A section of the road was closed to motorists while firefighters extinguished the blaze.

Manor Court Community Primary School in Chard has been presented with an Artsmark Gold Award. The award is in recognition of the school has put creativity at the heart of the curriculum. It has provided pupils with a variety of creative experiences, including putting on art exhibitions and variety shows and participating in community projects such as Culturally Chard and Chard Carnival.

A Martock business is waiting to see if it will be granted new Royal Warrants following the death of the Queen. Warrants are awarded to companies to show they provide goods or services to the Royal Family with SFM Technology in Martock having supplied fruit harvesting and spraying machinery to Her Majesty. However, warrants automatically expire on the death of the royal who granted them, and firms have two years in which to remove the Royal coat of arms from their products, vehicles, and stationery or hope the new Monarch, King Charles The Third, will re-issue the warrant. At the request of SFM Technologies, we confirm that the information contained in this story was not provided by the company, and the company was not approached for a comment.

More from News

Wednesday 28th January

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has announced plans to develop a new operational base on the Leonardo airfield in Yeovil. Several people have been rescued from their homes in Ilminster due to flooding. An £800,000 project is underway to restore two staircases at Montecute House...and more
Tuesday 27th January

Last week was the wettest seven-day period in Somerset for twelve years. NHS Somerset says it’s working towards making access to dental care fairer for all. A scout leader in Somerset has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to Young People...and more
Monday 26th January

A new group has been formed to challenge plans to build 100 new homes in Keinton Mandeville. Bridgwater Town Council has voted to increase its share of the Council Tax by 5%. Organisers of Yeovil in Bloom are appealing for young people to get involved in this year’s competition...and more
Friday 23rd January

New data shows that South Western Ambulance is one of the worst-performing ambulance trusts in England. Plans to introduce improved accessibility at Yeovil Junction station have moved a step closer. A community centre in Street is providing vulnerable people with a warm, safe place to meet...and more.
Thursday 22nd January

A new NHS diagnostic centre has opened in Yeovil. The go-ahead has been given to build a replacement school for Milford Junior School in Yeovil. A new 500-bed hotel-style campus is being planned to accommodate workers at the new Agratas car battery factory near Bridgwater...and more
Wednesday 21st January

Councillors have approved controversial plans to build four large carnival club sheds near Ilminster. Somerset Council says there's an increasing gap between the cost of education and the amount the government provides to run local schools. The Bridgwater Tidal Barrier, aimed at protecting homes and businesses from flooding, has been reduced in size...and more
Tuesday 20th January

Citizens Advice says thousands of people in Somerset have lost some or all of their council tax discount. The UK's first autonomous full-size helicopter, manufactured by Leonardo in Yeovil, has successfully completed its maiden flight. A new pharmacy has opened in Wincanton...and more
Monday 19th January

The government is facing increasing pressure to clarify whether it will order new medium-lift helicopters from Leonardo in Yeovil. Somerset Council is spending £5 million on new laptops. A new singing group is being set up in Yeovil for people living with dementia...and more