Demolition work at Yeovil’s Glovers Walk has been held up after two colonies of bees were discovered. Refurbishment of the town’s Dunelm store is underway. A teenager from Crewkerne has represented his country, winning a gold medal in a national boxing competition... and more.
Demolition work at Yeovil’s Glovers Walk has been held up after two colonies of bees were discovered in the wall cavities. Somerset Council have described a number of attempts to rid the building of the insects, including enticing the bees into a roof-based hive but with the help of an expert beekeeper, two queens have been captured alongside around 70,000 bees.
Meanwhile, refurbishment of the town’s Dunelm store at the Quedam Shopping Centre is underway, nearly a year after the major fire that forced its closure. We’ve been told strides have been taken towards a reopening, although a specific date hasn’t been set yet.
As part of Rural Housing Week, Somerset Council is highlighting the importance of affordable housing in rural communities. They say that a lack of affordable housing means residents, especially those who are younger, are less likely to remain local. With 111 affordable homes built in country locations in Somerset during 2024, there are hopes that the work will continue to service the needs of low-income families, young professionals and elderly residents in the area.
A teenager from Crewkerne has represented his country, winning a gold medal in a national boxing competition. Moken Mills, who's 15, was asked to represent his country after a series of boxing development days. He's already won 19 gold medals - 10 in international competitions and nine national titles - and 51 of 60 competitive bouts in boxing. Moken said the whole experience was incredible.
Bird flu has been found at a nature reserve in Somerset, closing part of it down. St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset is calling for the hospice sector to be given more central funding. The Barrington Boar in Barrington has been placed 12th in The Good Food Guide’s list of 100 best pubs in Britain... and more
Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.
Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more
The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more
New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more
Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more
A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more
.
Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid out compensation of £23 million for claims related to birth injuries. A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre...and more