Monday 10th June

Monday, 10 June 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Nominations have closed for candidates standing in the general election in the Yeovil parliamentary constituency. A new rural bus hub is being developed in Somerton at a cost of half a million pounds. Organisers of the Shindig Festival are trying to find the owner of a car that's been left behind, two weeks after the event at Dillington House ended...and more.

Nominations have closed for candidates standing in the general election in the Yeovil parliamentary constituency on Thursday, July 4th. The five candidates standing in Yeovil are:

Laura Bailhache, Reform UK
Adam Dance, Liberal Democrat
Marcus Fysh, Conservative
Rebecca Montacute, Labour
Serena Wootton, Green

In the new Glastonbury and Somerton parliamentary constituency the candidates standing are:

Tom Carter, Reform UK
Jon Cousins, Green Party
Sarah Dyke, Liberal Democrat
Hal Hooberman, Labour
Faye Purbrick, Conservative

The deadline to register to vote in the general election is 5 pm on Tuesday, June 18th. The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5 pm on Wednesday, June 19th. The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5 pm on Wednesday, June 26th.

More than half a million pounds has been allocated to build a rural Somerton bus hub. The funding comes from the government's 'bus back better' initiative and aims to improve bus services in the Somerton area and rural parts of Yeovil. The investment follows the success of a trial in which travellers could book bus journeys online.

Government funding is being provided to improve access for disabled passengers travelling by train, with Yeovil Junction one of the stations getting some of the cash. A feasibility study into how the project will proceed is now underway at Yeovil Junction station.

Bridgwater Town Council is facing a budget overspend of nearly half a million pounds this financial year which it blames on a computer error. It comes after the Town Council agreed to take on services from Somerset Council. Bridgwater Town Council says it'll be using reserves to balance the books after having already fixed its share of council tax for the coming financial year.

Organisers of the Shindig Festival in Ilminster are trying to find the owner a car that's been left behind, two weeks after the event at Dillington House ended. Police say it's not stolen but they'll tow the red Audi if nobody comes forward. The beginning of the car's registration is OE57.

A Somerset woman who took part in a charity wing walk has thanked everyone for their generous donations. Esther Hussey, who’s 81, took on the challenge at Henstridge Airfield and had planned to raise £200 for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, but ended up raising more than £1000.

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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,