The Chair of the NFU has repeated calls for a longer-term plan to tackle bluetongue, Three men have been jailed for their involvement in car key burglaries in Somerset. Police say they’re treating a fire in Norton Fitzwarren as suspicious... and more.
The Chair of the National Famers Union, Tom Bradshaw, has repeated calls for a longer-term plan to tackle bluetongue, a disease that predominantly affects sheep and cattle and is spread by midges. It’s reported that there are currently over 300 cases on Exmoor, with another two thousand being investigated nationally. With bluetongue’s spread made worse by the recent hot weather, DEFRA has said they are looking at bringing more testing sites online, and have denied there are any vaccine shortages.
Three men have been jailed for their involvement in car key burglaries in Somerset. Dylan Morgan, 23, of Dickenson Road, Weston-super-Mare, Thomas Maguire, 19, of Bristol Road, Tarnock, and George Ruja, 19, of Church Street, Highbridge, were sentenced at Taunton Crown Court on Friday 14th August. The charges relate to several reported incidents in locations including Burnham-on-Sea, Weston-super-Mare and Glastonbury between March and May.
Police say they’re treating a fire in Norton Fitzwarren as suspicious. Crews were called to a large field fire on Friday afternoon with six fire appliances tackling the blaze. Avon and Somerset Police are appealing for witnesses and asking anyone with information to contact them on 101.
The Quedam Centre’s former Iceland store could be repurposed as a family entertainment centre, following a planning application to South Somerset District Council. High Score Arcades Ltd. have proposed rebuilding the business units with arcade and skill-based games, saying the new attraction could bring visitors back to the town centre, provide local jobs and support surrounding businesses.
The annual Seagull Screeching Contest returned to Weston-super-Mare this weekend. It’s the second time the event has been held in the town.12 year old Cooper Wallace, the two-time European Seagull Screeching Champion was the head judge.
Adam Dance MP has added his voice to those criticising this week’s Channel 4 documentary on ADHD. Visitors can now explore more of Ham Hill with a new off-road mobility scooter hiring scheme. Young people are being encouraged to join the Ilminster Carnival children’s procession... and more.
Castle Cary railway station’s makeover has been officially unveiled. A new 18 million pound diagnostic centre in Bridgwater has opened. A Crewkerne teenager has been named ‘coach of the year’ for his work with Bristol City.... and more.
The fire service in Somerset has issued a plea for the public to take every precaution to prevent wildfires. Plans have been approved for Numatic International to install one-thousand solar panels on roof of their Chard factory. Somerset fast bowler, Jake Ball, has signed a new one-year contract that will keep him at the club for the 2027 season... and more
People across Somerset are banned from today from using hosepipes to water gardens, clean windows or cars, or fill swimming and paddling pools. More cases of the potentially deadly livestock disease Bluetongue have been confirmed in Somerset. Work is underway to improve disabled access at Holyrood Academy in Chard... and more
Wessex Water, who supplies almost all homes and businesses in Somerset, has introduced a hosepipe ban effective from midnight tonight. A sinkhole on Station Road in Castle Cary has been repaired, two years after it was first discovered. A Wildcat helicopter from RNAS Yeovilton has taken part in the annual passing-out parade at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth... and more
Police are investigating an incident in which obscene words were scratched onto the World War One memorial at Ham Hill. Yeovil MP Adam Dance has repeated his call for the upgrade of the town’s police station to include a custody suite. A Somerset carnival club is building a specially adapted float to allow a wheelchair user and her assistance dog to take part in this year’s carnival circuit...and more
An Ilminster family is celebrating after winning one million pounds on the National Lottery. Police have released a picture of a man they want to speak to in connection with suspected frauds in Somerset. Somerset Council has opened a tendering process to find a main contractor for the £15 million upgrade of Yeovil’s Octagon theatre... and more
Experts say with good visibility forecast for this evening, people across Somerset should have some of the best views of the solar eclipse anywhere in the UK. A Somerset councillor is calling for the Stop Line cycle route between Chard and Ilminster to be better supported. It's 40-years ago this week since a Lynx helicopter built in Yeovil set a new World Helicopter Speed Record... and more
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