Local News Wednesday 3rd March

Wednesday, 3 March 2021 07:30

More than four-hundred-million-pounds of additional support for museums, galleries and theatres is expected to be announced in today’s budget. Court proceedings involving a South Petherton man, accused of murdering man in Yeovil, have been adjourned for a second time. Great Western Railway, who run trains through Castle Cary, will be operating more services from next Monday and more.....

More than four-hundred-million-pounds of additional support for museums, galleries and theatres is expected to be announced in today’s budget. The Octagon theatre in Yeovil was awarded £300,000 from the government’s Cultural Recovery Fund in October. Octagon Manager, Adam Burgen, is hoping that local theatres will benefit from today’s announcement.

Court proceedings involving a South Petherton man, accused of murdering man in Yeovil, have been adjourned for a second time. Matthew Sheridan is charged with the murder of Louis Bednall who was found with stab wounds at a flat on Hendford Hill in Yeovil on Saturday 12th December and died later in hospital. Sheridan was due to appear at Exeter Crown Court but refused to leave his prison cell where he’s being held on remand because he was suffering with Coronavirus. Judge Peter Johnson ordered that a new hearing be held. Sheridan has not yet entered a plea against the murder charge. (That story courtesy of Chard and Ilminster News).

The charity Mind in Somerset says it's helping a number of big employers to support their workers during the pandemic. It says poor mental health is costing businesses in the UK £45-billion every year.

Great Western Railway, who run trains through Castle Cary, will be operating more services from next Monday (March 8th) to coincide with schools and collages re-opening. GWR has been running at 60 per cent capacity since January due to fewer passengers using trains during the lockdown. Beginning from Monday, GWR will be operating a ‘near normal’ timetable.

Applications have opened to be a lifeguard on Somerset’s beaches this year. Those wanting to apply must hold a Beach Lifeguard qualification. The deadline to apply is April 4th.

More from News

Friday 12th December

The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.
Thursday 11th December

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Wednesday 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 9th December

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Monday 8th December

Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Friday 5th December

Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
Thursday 4th December

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Wednesday 3rd December

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,