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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Bird flu has been found at a nature reserve in Somerset, closing part of it down. St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset is calling for the hospice sector to be given more central funding. The Barrington Boar in Barrington has been placed 12th in The Good Food Guide’s list of 100 best pubs in Britain... and more
Wednesday 29th October

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.
Tuesday 28th October

Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more
Monday 27th October

The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more
Friday 24th October

New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more
Thursday 23rd October

Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more
Wednesday 22nd October

A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more .
Tuesday 21st October

Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid out compensation of £23 million for claims related to birth injuries. A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre...and more