Monday 20th May

Monday, 20 May 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

There's been an eleven percent increase in burglaries in Somerset. Somerset Council say they're committed to buying the Glovers Walk shopping centre in Yeovil and protecting Yeovil bus station. The new public car park at Castle Cary railway station has opened permanently....and more.

Figures just out show there has been an eleven percent increase in burglaries in Somerset. According to Churchill Support Services, 1,653 burglaries were committed in Somerset between September 2022 and September 2023. That’s in the Avon and Somerset force area excluding Bristol. Avon and Somerset Police say while the number of burglaries has risen year-on-year, Somerset remains one of the lowest areas for burglaries across England, with the national average for burglaries being more than twice that for Somerset.

Somerset Council says it is committed to buying the Glovers Walk shopping centre in Yeovil and protecting the future of Yeovil bus station. The Council isn’t saying when the transfer of ownership will happen. In a statement, the Council says they will keep the bus station open as a key transport hub and bring Glovers Walk into public ownership as part of plans to redevelop the Lower Middle Street area.

The new public car park at Castle Cary railway station has opened on a permanent basis. It opened briefly in November and then closed in March for further work to be carried out. Spaces to park 193 vehicles and four electric charging bays are provided. The opening of the car park marks the start of a series of improvements at Castle Cary station, including installing a temporary footbridge for this year’s Glastonbury Festival.

A woman from South Petherton whose husband has dementia has praised a care group for providing the couple with much-needed support. Aileen Channer says without the social interaction provided by the Filo Project their lives would be very different.

A new bubble tea shop has opened in Yeovil. Bubble tea is a Taiwanese recipe which blends tea with milk, fruit and fruit juices. The shop can be found at 14 Wine Street in Yeovil town centre.

Yeovil Town has announced the departure of Rhys Murphy to National League South side, Dorking. Rhys, who returned to Huish Park for a second spell at the start of the 23/24 season, scored 15 goals in 30 games. Meanwhile, the Glovers will play a pre-season friendly against Exeter City at Huish Park on Friday, July 19th, kick-off is at 7.30 pm. A second pre-season friendly away against Weston-super-Mare will take place on Saturday, August 3rd.

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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,