Monday 10th February

Monday, 10 February 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Photo shows RSPCA Inspector Kim Walters who found Daisy

A dog, stolen in Norfolk seven years ago, has been found 200 miles away safe and well in Somerset. A man who lives in Seavington St Michael near Ilminster has been jailed after driving a car at police officers. One hundred new affordable homes could be built near Langport...and more

A dog stolen in Norfolk seven years ago has been found 200 miles away, safe and well, in Somerset. Daisy, the Labrador, was identified by an RSPCA inspector through her microchip. Her owner, Rita Potter, aged 80, says she'd kept a photograph of Daisy on her wall and never gave up hope of finding her.

A man who lives in Seavington St Michael near Ilminster has been jailed after driving a car at police officers and ramming the car into police vehicles. It happened when police attended Matthew Reyland's property to carry out unrelated enquiries into a missing person. No one was injured in the incident when the 38-year-old tried to flee the scene in his car. Appearing at Taunton Crown Court, Reyland was given a 16-month prison sentence and a three-year driving ban, after pleading guilty to multiple offences.

The Lib Dem MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, Sarah Dyke, is calling on the government to act decisively to minimise the flood risk in her constituency. Speaking in the House of Commons, Ms Dyke, said she was worried about farms being flooded and the impact on food security. She said the government needed to do more to ensure a flood management plan was in place to protect farms.

One hundred new affordable homes could be built near Langport if a revised planning application is approved. Social housing provider, Abri, wants to build the properties on Somerton Road in Huish Episcopi with 56 of the homes offered for rent to local people and 44 sold on the basis of shared ownership.

Somerset Council has been given half a million pounds by the government to plant 700 trees in open spaces across the County including in Castle Cary and Yeovil. The fruit and non-native varieties already stand three meters tall.

A Somerset charity is inviting people to get involved in its Earn a Bike scheme. ‘On Your Bike’ runs a course where participants strip down and rebuild a donated second-hand bicycle, and then get to keep the bike at the end of the course.

More from News

Thursday 29th January

Somerset Council has warned that more homes are likely to flood with further heavy rain forecast to end the week. Discount retailer, The Original Factory Shop, which has an outlet in Crewkerne, has gone into administration. A Barista at Costa Coffee in Ilminster has won a place in the finals of a national competition...and more
Wednesday 28th January

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has announced plans to develop a new operational base on the Leonardo airfield in Yeovil. Several people have been rescued from their homes in Ilminster due to flooding. An £800,000 project is underway to restore two staircases at Montecute House...and more
Tuesday 27th January

Last week was the wettest seven-day period in Somerset for twelve years. NHS Somerset says it’s working towards making access to dental care fairer for all. A scout leader in Somerset has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to Young People...and more
Monday 26th January

A new group has been formed to challenge plans to build 100 new homes in Keinton Mandeville. Bridgwater Town Council has voted to increase its share of the Council Tax by 5%. Organisers of Yeovil in Bloom are appealing for young people to get involved in this year’s competition...and more
Friday 23rd January

New data shows that South Western Ambulance is one of the worst-performing ambulance trusts in England. Plans to introduce improved accessibility at Yeovil Junction station have moved a step closer. A community centre in Street is providing vulnerable people with a warm, safe place to meet...and more.
Thursday 22nd January

A new NHS diagnostic centre has opened in Yeovil. The go-ahead has been given to build a replacement school for Milford Junior School in Yeovil. A new 500-bed hotel-style campus is being planned to accommodate workers at the new Agratas car battery factory near Bridgwater...and more
Wednesday 21st January

Councillors have approved controversial plans to build four large carnival club sheds near Ilminster. Somerset Council says there's an increasing gap between the cost of education and the amount the government provides to run local schools. The Bridgwater Tidal Barrier, aimed at protecting homes and businesses from flooding, has been reduced in size...and more
Tuesday 20th January

Citizens Advice says thousands of people in Somerset have lost some or all of their council tax discount. The UK's first autonomous full-size helicopter, manufactured by Leonardo in Yeovil, has successfully completed its maiden flight. A new pharmacy has opened in Wincanton...and more