Local News Wednesday 26th January

Wednesday, 26 January 2022 06:00

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.

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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