Monday 22nd April

Monday, 22 April 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The parents of a two-week-old baby boy, accused of his murder at Yeovil Hospital, are to stand trial. Protesters have splashed red paint across the front of County Hall in Taunton for a second time. A comedy film about the world of competitive marrow-growing and made in Shepton Mallet has opened in cinemas across the UK...and more.

The parents of a two-week-old baby, accused of his murder at Yeovil Hospital, are to stand trial. Daniel Gunter, aged 25, and Sophie Staddon, 20, have been charged with killing baby Brendon Staddon at Yeovil Hospital in March this year. Appearing at a pre-trial hearing at Bristol Crown Court, Gunter pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and causing or allowing the death of a child. Staddon did not enter pleas to the charges she faces. Both were remanded into custody, with their trial date set for early November. (Story courtesy of Chard and Ilminster News}.

Somerset Council says it’s doing all it can to engage with protesters who, for a second time, have splashed red paint across the front of County Hall in Taunton. They were protesting over Somerset Council’s ownership of a building in Bristol which they claim is occupied by a business supplying arms to Israel. Somerset Council says the building at Aztec West is up for sale.

A film made in Shepton Mallet has opened at cinemas across the UK. ‘Swede Caroline’ is a comedy about the cutthroat world of competitive marrow-growing.

Crewkerne-based Steatite Batteries has changed its name. The business on the Cropmead Industrial Estate that manufactures custom-built battery packs will be known in future as Custom Power, bringing it in line with its American sister company.

The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has been gifted fifteen thousand pounds by a former fundraiser. Jeremy Connell died in February after being a volunteer with the charity, raising thousands of pounds from collection boxes across Somerset. His widow, Anna Connell, was invited to spend a day at Henstridge airfield, where the air ambulance is based, as a thank you to her late husband.

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Wednesday 17th June

Avon and Somerset Police say they'll be carrying out enhanced patrols for drink and drug driving during and after England's opening World Cup game tonight. Somerset Chamber of Commerce is warning that the conflict in Iran is having a serious impact on local businesses. A master thatcher based in Ilminster says the traditional craft of thatching is under threat because of a lack of training opportunities...and more
Tuesday 16th June

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal two-vehicle crash on the A358 near Ilminster. A man from Norton-sub-Hamdon has appeared in court charged with drink driving. An original Mr Blobby costume from the former Blobbyland theme park at Cricket St Thomas has been put up for sale... and more
Monday 15th June

People in Somerset are being asked to take part in a new survey about alcohol use. Yeovil's MP Adam Dance will lead a debate in Parliament today on NHS dentistry. A Yeovil runner has been selected to represent England at a national endurance championship... and more
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.