Local News Wednesday 16th August

Wednesday, 16 August 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Two people have been charged in connection with a burglary at a school in Yeovil. Somerset Council's facing a legal challenge over plans to build new houses in Chilthorne Domer. The Somerset charity Re-Engage is appealing for volunteers. A Somerset winemaker says 2023 could be a vintage year for local producers...and more.

Two people have been charged in connection with a burglary at a school in Yeovil. Tyler Singer, aged 21, of Shepton Mallet, faces a charge of non-dwelling burglary, taking a vehicle without the owner's consent and driving without insurance. Grace Brownhill, aged 18, also from Shepton Mallet, faces a charge of non-dwelling burglary and being a passenger in a stolen vehicle. The charges relate to a break-in at Westfield Academy School in Yeovil on Sunday, June 11th.

Somerset Council is facing a legal challenge over a delay in deciding a planning application. Developers, Land Allocation Ltd applied to build seventy-three new homes in Chilthorne Domer in August 2020 but neither South Somerset District Council nor its successor Somerset Council has yet made a decision on the application. Land Allocation Ltd has lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate on the grounds of non-determination, meaning Somerset Council has failed to come to a decision in a reasonable period.

A Somerset teacher says schools should be encouraging more pupils to take up music. Data shows a twelve per cent decline in the take up of music in schools last year. The appeal comes from Nicola Thompson, a Senior Teacher at Somerset Music, which is part of Somerset Council's Support Services for Education.

The Somerset charity Re-Engage is appealing for volunteers to become phone companions for older people. According to Office of National Statistics data, there are around twenty-five thousand people aged sixty and over living alone in Somerset, desperate for companionship.

Somerset winemakers say it could be an exceptional year for grapes with production at record levels. Guy Smith from the Smith and Evans Vineyard near Langport says the mixed summer weather has not affected his crops but is hoping for a dry September.

Green Flags have been awarded to three council-run open spaces in South Somerset. The scheme gives green flag status to public spaces with high environmental standards. In the latest round of awards, Green Flags were given to Yeovil Country Park, Ham Hill Country Park, and Chard Reservoir Nature Reserve.

More from News

Thursday 30th April

More than 4,500 people have expressed interest in joining a new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne. Somerset Council says a long-term solution is needed to make Hendford Hill in Yeovil fully safe for motorists. A Somerset man has won first prize at the World Marmalade Awards... and more
Wednesday 29th April

Somerset Council says Hendford Hill in Yeovil should be fully reopened to traffic by the end of May. Plans have been approved to build 40 new homes in Crewkerne. A huge pile of illegally dumped rubbish in Glastonbury has been cleared... and more
Tuesday 28th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision at Rimpton. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in South Petherton. Former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson has been retained as first-team manager of Taunton Town for next season... and more
Monday 27th April

A former school in Sherborne has been badly damaged by fire. A care home in Yeovil has been rated outstanding. ublic spaces in West Coker owned by Somerset Council are being handed over to the parish council. Mendip Golf Club has presented a cheque for £12,000 to Mind in Somerset... and more
Friday 24th April

Plans have been submitted to turn a property on Preston Road in Yeovil into a House in Multiple Occupation. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has been recalled to the England Red Roses starting line-up for tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations game against Wales. Three sisters from Yeovil will be running the London Marathon this weekend in support of Guide Dogs UK... and more
Thursday 23rd April

Helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton have completed six weeks of sorties, protecting Cyprus from attacks by Iran. People in Somerset who use domestic heating oil are calling on the government to regulate the oil supply industry. Patients are being invited to register at a new NHS dentist in Crewkerne... and more
Wednesday 22nd April

Expectant mothers are using Yeovil Hospital once again to give birth following the reopening of the maternity unit. A Yeovil man has been jailed for four years for committing sexual offences against two young girls. Plans have been approved to convert a pub in Milborne Port into housing... and more
Tuesday 21st April

NHS Somerset has delayed closing the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. A former Avon and Somerset Police officer has been jailed for making indecent images of children. A Somerset man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild animal with dogs... and more