Monday 23rd June

Monday, 23 June 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Artist's impression of amenity building within new services on the A303 at Cartgate near Yeovil

Plans have been submitted to build a motorway-style service station at Cartgate on the A303. Police are asking for the public’s help in tracing those responsible for two house break-ins in Yeovil. A Community Champion at Tesco in Chard has been rewarded for her work supporting the local community...and more.

Plans have been submitted to build a motorway-style service station at Cartgate on the A303 on the outskirts of Yeovil. Welcome Break Services Ltd wants to use land to the west of the existing Cartgate services area to build food outlets, including a McDonald's, a Starbucks, and a KFC. A public seating area, toilets and parking for 145 vehicles would also be provided. Somerset Council is expected to decide on the plans before the end of the year.

Police are asking for the public’s help in connection with two house burglaries in Yeovil. Car keys were taken when homes on Summerleaze Park and Ilchester Road were broken into last Friday. A grey Audi was stolen from one house. Police are asking anyone with relevant doorbell footage to please call the non-emergency number 101.

A man has pleaded not guilty to murdering his one-month-old son in Chard. Tony Bartlett, aged 38, from Axminster, denied killing Atticus Bartlett in Chard in July 2022, when he appeared at Bristol Crown Court. A provisional date was set for June 2026 for Mr Bartlett to stand trial.

Three-way traffic lights will be operating at various locations in Ilminster from today. It’s to allow National Grid to put up poles ready for cabling work to begin. The places where the lights will operate are by the Shrubbery Hotel on Station Road, The Butts and Winterhay Lane.

Nicky Male, a Community Champion at Tesco in Chard, has been rewarded for supporting the local community with an invitation to a Buckingham Palace garden party. Nicky, who has worked at Tesco in Chard for 23 years, and her husband David, spent an afternoon at Buckingham Palace in the company of the King and Queen, describing the experience as being ‘unforgettable’.

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,