Monday 11th March

Monday, 11 March 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A man and a woman are due in court today charged with the murder of a baby boy at Yeovil Hospital. Somerset Council is to stop providing free sandbags to homeowners at times of major flooding. Students at Holyrood Academy in Chard have been invited to perform one of their shows at the Bristol Old Vic...and more

A man and a woman are due to appear at Bristol Crown Court in connection with the death of a baby boy during an incident at Yeovil Hospital. Brendon Staddon who was just two weeks old died in Yeovil Hospital last week. Daniel Gunter and Sophie Staddon both of no fixed address have been charged with his murder and of causing or allowing the death of a child.

Communities affected by flooding will no longer be given free sandbags by Somerset Council. The move is part of a raft of cost-cutting measures at Somerset Council, with homeowners being told that it’s their responsibility to protect their properties in the event of a flood.

It’s believed that a blaze in an empty property in Crewkerne was started deliberately. The three-storey derelict house on Abbey Street went up in flames last Wednesday. A short time earlier, Police received a call from a member of the public saying that a group of youths had broken into the property. Anyone who can help Police with enquiries is asked to call the non-emergency number 101.

Keeping Somerset's streets and public toilets clean could become the responsibility of town and parish councils as Somerset Council seeks to cut costs. The Council currently has contracts with IDVerde for street cleaning and grounds maintenance, which were inherited from the four district councils upon their abolition in April 2023. Rather than extending the agreements, Somerset Council plans to bring the services in-house as the contracts expire, saving between £200,000 and £300,000 a year. But the council believes it could save even more if the services are devolved to town and parish councils - something which could lead to further rises in local council tax bills.

A Somerset-based photographer is exhibiting her photos of the 'devastating' flooding of the Levels ten years on. Matilda Temperley's photos are on display until 19th May at the Somerset Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury. Alongside the exhibition, a programme of events and activities is taking take place supported by Somerset Rivers Authority.

A group of students at Holyrood Academy in Chard have been invited to perform one of their shows in Bristol later this month. The Year 10 to 13 students will stage their production of Kiss, Marry, Push off a cliff, at the Bristol Old Vic on Tuesday, March 19th.

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,