Local News Wednesday 26th January

    A senior council employee at South Somerset District Council has been dismissed. Police have described as ‘extremely dangerous’ an incident at Sherborne railway station. Cash grants are being offered to shop owners in Chard to improve the look of their premises. Plans have been turned down to build forty-eight new homes on land off Fore Street, Tatworth near Chard...and more.

    A senior council employee at South Somerset District Council has been dismissed for allegedly using council staff to carry out work at a wine-growing business that she owned. An independent investigation said council workers had built glamping pods, laid turf, and removed a dead pig from the vineyard in North Dorset that Clare Pestell ran alongside her full-time job at the district council. 

    Police have described as ‘extremely dangerous’ an incident at Sherborne railway station in which young people were caught playing around the train tracks. Police were called after the youngsters were spotted playing with supermarket trolleys on the platform and around the level crossing. Police say the station was operational at the time and that it was fortunate no one was hurt.

    Cash grants are being offered to shop owners in Chard to improve the look of their premises. South Somerset District Council says business owners can claim up to 70 percent of the cost of repairing and putting up new signage on shop fronts. The scheme is part of efforts to regenerate Chard town centre and attract more shoppers to the town.

    The wife of a Royal Marine in Somerset has been speaking about how the Forces Employment Charity R-F-E-A, helped her get back into the workplace. Jenny Monaghan says it can be difficult for military partners to have careers when they are re-stationed every 2-years and is grateful for the help that she was given in finding employment.

    Plans have been turned down to build forty-eight new homes on land off Fore Street, Tatworth near Chard. Members of South Somerset District Council’s Area West Committee rejected the application on the grounds the houses represented ‘over-development’ and would have impacted adversely on the local environment.

    More from News

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    • Wednesday 30th April

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    • Tuesday 29th April

      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.

    • Monday 28th April

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    • Friday 25th April

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    •  Thursday 24th April

      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.

    • Wednesday 23rd April

      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.

    • Tuesday 22nd April

      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.

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Sunny intervals

      High: 27°C | Low: 11°C

    • Chard

      Sunny intervals

      High: 25°C | Low: 10°C

    • Crewkerne

      Sunny intervals

      High: 25°C | Low: 10°C

    • Somerton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 27°C | Low: 11°C

    • Wincanton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 27°C | Low: 11°C

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