Local News Wednesday 27th July

Wednesday, 27 July 2022 06:00

A box of old family photographs from the 1950s has been found in a store room at Pen Mill railway station in Yeovil during a clearout. Protesters are continuing to occupy a giant historic oak tree near Sparkford to stop it from being cut down as part of work to dual the A303. Rail passengers in Somerset are being advised not to travel today unless it’s absolutely necessary. Police are continuing their investigation into the death of a one-month-old baby in Chard...and more.

A box of old family photographs from the 1950s has been found in a store room at Pen Mill railway station in Yeovil during a clearout, and now Great Western Railway would like to return them to their rightful owner. A number of the photos show a young girl wearing the uniform of Westfield County Junior School, together with several handwritten notes. GWR regional manager, Alex Hills says considering the items have been hidden in a damp storeroom for 70 years, they are in very good condition.

Protesters are continuing to occupy a giant historic oak tree near Sparkford to stop it from being cut down as part of work to dual the A303. National Highways say the tree has to go to make room for a new slip road connecting the dual carriageway to Hazlegrove Prep School. Protesters, who claim the tree is 600 years old, have set up tents underneath the tree, and are occupying some of its branches.

Rail passengers in Somerset are being advised not to travel today unless it’s absolutely necessary. A one-day strike is being staged by the RMT Union over pay, jobs, and terms and conditions. As a result, GWR, South Western Railway, and Cross Country in Somerset are not running trains or running much-reduced services. Meanwhile, GWR says they have to adapt to the way passengers use the railway now, and will use it in the future.

Police are continuing their investigation into the death of a one-month-old baby in Chard. Police were called to Helliers Road in Chard on Saturday, July 16th after reports that a baby was critically ill. The infant died a week later in hospital. A 35-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and released on bail.

Police are appealing for witnesses to an attack on a 14-year-old boy in Pageant Gardens in Sherborne. It happened at around 5.30 pm on Friday, July 15th. Four teenagers have been arrested in connection with the incident. If you can assist the police, please call the non-emergency number 101.

More from News

Friday 27 March

There's been a big improvement in ambulance response times in Somerset. Three local people have been charged with offences linked to the theft and supply of prescription-only drugs. A fragment of a jawbone found in a cave in Cheddar Gorge appears to show that humans kept dogs as pets as far back as 5,000 years ago... and more
Thursday 26th March

Somerset Council is offering food vouchers during the school easter holidays to families whose children receive free school meals. A local man has been charged in connection with an incident involving a firearm in Yeovil. The Environment Agency says it could take up to 10 years to protect homes at Holway House Park and Home Farm Park in Ilminster from flooding...and more.
Wednesday 25th March

Yeovil MP Adam Dance has raised concerns in the House of Commons about the planned closure of Yeovil Hospital’s hyper-acute stroke unit. Police in Yeovil are appealing for information after a man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm. A 13-year-old terrier named Mole has been rescued after becoming trapped underground...and more
Tuesday 24th March

Yeovil College has received a glowing report following an Ofsted inspection. The main road between Chard and Ilminster is to be better protected from flooding. A six-thousand-year-old wooden walkway has been uncovered on the Somerset Levels... and more
Monday 23rd March

A wildcat helicopter belonging 815 Squadron based at RNAS Yeovilton has been in action tracking two Russian ships in the English Channel. People living in Somerset will have to pay to use Dorset’s household waste recycling centres from today. A road in Ilminster has closed to traffic today and will stay shut for the next ten days... and more
Friday 20th March

Police are appealing for witnesses to a three-vehicle crash in Sherborne. The jobs of housing maintenance staff at Somerset Council could be outsourced to a private contractor. A pie throwing event is taking place in Chard today for Red Nose Day ... and more
Thursday 19th March

Farmers in Somerset say they're struggling after a doubling in the price of red diesel. Yeovil MP Adam Dance has criticised Donald Trump over his comments about people with learning disabilities. A Somerset woman whose father was killed in a crash on the M5 is running the London Marathon to raise money for South West Ambulance...and more
Wednesday 18th March

The murder of a two-week-old baby by his father at Yeovil Hospital could not have been predicted, according to a new report. A road in Ilminster is to close to traffic for eleven days later this month. A new Post Office counter is to open in Somerton... and more