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.

More from News

Friday 12th June

It's claimed the increasing availability of drugs such as ketamine and cocaine has normalised drug use among young people in Somerset. The trial of a man accused of killing his one-month-old son in Chard begins today at Bristol Crown Court. A stone pillar outside the Langport Arms Hotel in Langport has been replaced after it was destroyed in a car crash... and more
Thursday 11th June

Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to the three aircrew from RNAS Yeovilton who died in last week's helicopter crash in Devon. Two men have been arrested and stolen vehicles seized following a major multi-agency operation in South Somerset. An event highlighting opportunities for women in the aerospace industry has been held in Yeovil... and more
Wednesday 10th June

The public will be consulted on how best to spend fifty million pounds of government funding to tackle flooding in Somerset. Avon and Somerset Police are backing a new road safety campaign aimed at reducing motorcycle fatalities. New welcome signs have been installed at entrances to the Mendip Hills National Landscape... and more
Tuesday 9th June

The government has announced a £50 million investment to strengthen Somerset’s flood defences. A woman from Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been banned from driving for 14 months after admitting drink-driving. Somerset Council has been told it must improve its adult social care services... and more
Monday 8th June

Plans for a new railway station in Langport remain stalled in Whitehall, according to Somerset Council. Plans to build 50 new homes in Broadway, near Ilminster, have been refused. The new water fountains in Yeovil’s Triangle, in Lower Middle Street, are being switched off during very hot weather because of safety concerns... and more.
Friday 5th June

A new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne says it won’t start operating at full capacity until July due to staff shortages. Somerset Council says it has no plans to show England matches in the World Cup on the Big Screen in Yeovil town centre due to safety concerns. A Somerset family has been thanked after completing a 73-mile walk raising money for a third world charity... and more
Thursday 4th June

An investigation continues today into the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter, based at RNAS Yeovilton, in which all three aircrew were killed. Somerset Council has confirmed that a new operator will take over several leisure centres across the county. The new live-action Masters of the Universe movie, filmed in Somerset, is released this week...and more
Wednesday 3rd June

A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with assaulting three police officers. Somerset Council has begun legal action to recover more than £320,000 owed by housing developers. The line-up has been announced for this year’s Ilminster Midsummer Experience...and more