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.

More from News

Friday 26th July

Somerset Olympic Rower, Helen Glover, will be carrying the Team GB flag, together with diver Tom Daley, at this evening's opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. Work has been completed building a new mental health ward in Yeovil. Martock Library is reducing its opening hours after losing funding from the Parish Council...and more.
Thursday 25th July

A crowdfunding appeal has been launched raising money to help find a Chard man missing for almost two weeks in Sardinia. Somerset Council is to sell off some of its buildings to help balance the books. Building work on the UK's biggest electric vehicle battery factory near Bridgwater will begin next month...and more.
Wednesday 24th July

Drivers at Buses for Somerset are involved in a second day of strike action today. Police in Yeovil confiscated a motorbike that was being ridden without insurance. This year’s Charter Fair in Crewkerne will take place over three days from the 6th to the 8th of September. The main road through the cliffs at Cheddar Gorge is closed again today for filming...and more.
Tuesday 23rd July

A sub-postmistress from Wells, falsely accused of stealing by the Post Office, is celebrating after finally being paid compensation. An amateur jockey from near Sherborne is in hospital after sustaining a serious back injury in a fall. A man who became violent towards staff at Hollywood Bowl in Yeovil has been jailed...and more.
Monday 22nd July

The RSPCA in Somerset has reported a big increase in cases of animal cruelty. The mother of a Chard man, missing for more than a week in Sardinia, has launched a desperate plea to find him. A book detailing the life of one of Stalbridge’s most famous sons, the author Douglas Adams, has been gifted to Stalbridge Town Council...and more.
Friday 19th July

Glovers Walk shopping centre in Yeovil is to be demolished. The Rock and Ribs music festival starts at Wincanton racecourse today. A mobile clinic, part of the UK’s largest-ever health research programme, is coming to Chard and Yeovil. A new community magazine has been launched in Sparkford...and more.
Thursday 18th July

Plans have been submitted to build 650 new houses in Wincanton. Farmers in Somerset have criticised Avon and Somerset Police for re-deploying four officers from the rural crime team. Glastonbury and Somerton MP, Sarah Dyke, has written to the new Transport Secretary asking for a meeting about restoring a rail link between Langport and Somerton...and more.
Wednesday 17th July

Work to upgrade the gas network on Preston Road in Yeovil begins later this month. Somerset Council has been given the go-ahead to deliver the final phase of the Yeovil Refresh project. The wet weather is being blamed for a big drop in visitor numbers to Somerset this summer...and more.