Local News Wednesday 15th March

Wednesday, 15 March 2023 06:00

New road signs are being put up to advertise Yeovil as the “home of British helicopters”. Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard is closing for two weeks from next week for improvement works. A man’s been jailed after admitting to a number of shoplifting offences in Yeovil. National Highways will discuss the dualling of the A303 between Sparkford and Ilchester at a series of open events later this month...and more.

New road signs are being put up to advertise Yeovil as the “home of British helicopters”. South Somerset District Council has approved a request by Leonardo Helicopters to install the new signs on three of the main roads leading into the town. Leonardo says it will be paying for the signs to be installed and for their upkeep.

Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard is closing for two weeks from next week for improvement works. The centre is being upgraded to make it more accessible and wheelchair friendly.

A man’s been jailed after admitting to a number of shoplifting offences in Yeovil. Taunton Crown Court was told that David Bailey stole products, including cosmetics and electrical items, from shops in Yeovil on several occasions. Bailey pleaded guilty to four shoplifting offences, to taking a motor vehicle without consent and driving while disqualified, He was jailed for 18 weeks.

Another dental practice in Chard is closing. Chard House Dental Practice, on Leach Road, will shut at the end of April and has blamed the decision on a shortage of clinicians. It follows the announcement that MyDentist in Fore Street in Chard will close at the end of this month.

People in Chard have until next week to take part in a survey about shaping the town’s future. A Community Plan was launched last month to identify issues of importance to Chard residents, in particular, new ways to make the town greener and more attractive to shoppers. To comment on the plan go to the South Somerset website.

National Highways will discuss dualling the A303 between Sparkford and Ilchester at a series of open events later this month. Members of the Project Team will be at Haynes Motor Museum on Tuesday, March 28th and Friday, March 31st. Also, at Teals Farm Shop on Wednesday, March 29th and Thursday, March 30th to answer questions from residents and businesses who have been affected by the road widening scheme.

More from News

Friday 13th March

The first of the new medium lift helicopters being built by Leonardo in Yeovil for the RAF will be delivered in 2031. Somerset Council has launched a public consultation on planned new charges at its two hundred public car parks. More women in Somerset are said to be taking up walking football... and more
Thursday 12th March

A Yeovil headteacher says he’s concerned about plans to stop giving school holiday food vouchers to families on low incomes. The owner of Yeovil Town is calling on fans to be patient as he continues his overhaul of the National League side. A high voltage fault is being blamed for plunging 1700 homes into darkness in the Ilminster area... and more
Wednesday 11th March

Plans have been submitted to convert two properties in Yeovil into houses of multiple occupation. A new court date has been announced for a Yeovil man charged with attempted murder. An engineer who has worked at the Leonardo factory in Yeovil for 40-years has won a top industry award... and more
Tuesday 10th March

Police say a fire at the former Oscar Mayer food factory in Chard was started deliberately. Yeovil College says it would have been adversely affected had Leonardo not won the contract to build new medium-lift helicopters. A seven-foot dragon will be visiting towns and villages in our area during the next few weeks to promote Somerset Day... and more
Monday 9th March

Two Wildcat helicopters from 815 Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton have arrived in Cyprus to help protect RAF Akrotiri from further Iranian drone strikes. New figures show that 40 people were killed on Avon and Somerset’s roads in the last 12-months. A Somerset man has been recalling the day 60-years ago when he was a passenger on the last train on the Somerset and Dorset Railway... and more
Friday 6th March

Defence Minister Luke Pollard has been explaining why it took the government so long to confirm a contract for the Leonardo in Yeovil to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. Police are investigating a break in at a pet shop in Ilminster. Somerset Council is to stop using red ink on council tax reminder letters... and more
Thursday 5th March

Two military helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton are being sent to Cyprus to help bolster UK’s defences amid the US-Israel war with Iran. Yeovil Town Council is seeking legal advice over the closure of the hyper acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. Flood warnings have been lifted on the Somerset Levels... and more
Wednesday 4th March

A man has died in a fire in Wincanton. Somerset Council is planning further cuts of twenty-one million pounds to help balance its books. A campaign to raise £30,000 for a minibus has been launched in Chard... and more