Monday 25th March

Monday, 25 March 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Twenty-five new electric buses will soon start running on Somerset’s roads thanks to a £14.7 million Government investment in public transport. A record number of houses were sold in Chard last year making it one of the most popular towns in Somerset to live in. Yeovil's Marlie Packer won her 100th cap with the England Women’s Rugby team playing Italy in a Six Nations game yesterday...and more.

Twenty-five new electric buses are to be introduced on Somerset’s roads thanks to a £14.7 million investment in public transport by the government. The double-decker and single-decker buses are being paid for by a grant from the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission scheme. The electric buses will replace some of Buses of Somerset’s diesel fleet, and will each save up to 60 tonnes of tailpipe emissions every year.

The number of community food pantries operating in Somerset has risen to ten. Community food pantries give out food to those in the greatest need that has been donated by supermarkets that would otherwise be thrown away.

It seems Chard is a place where more and more people want to live. Figures from the property website Rightmove show that house sales in Chard last year more than doubled. Rightmove says that compared to 2022 the number of property sales in Chard rose by 123 per cent last year.

Yeovil-based solicitors Battens came away winners at the 2024 Somerset Business Awards, held in Weston-super-mare, at the weekend. Battens, who have offices in Princes Street in Yeovil, was presented with the ‘Investing in Somerset Award’ sponsored by Hinkley Point C.

Mill on the Brue at Bruton is asking for permission to install ninety-four solar panels at the outdoor activity centre. A planning application to Somerset Council says the panels will be sited near to the entrance, not far away from an existing bridleway.

Somerset is on a list of places to report UFO sightings. In their annual report, the research group UFO Identified says fifteen unexplained objects or lights were spotted in the skies over Somerset between January 2021 and December 2023. It brings to 193, the total number of UFO sightings across the South West in the last four years.

Yeovil's Marlie Packer won her 100th cap playing for the England Women’s Rugby team in a Six Nations game against Italy yesterday. The 34-year-old flanker and England Captain, who attended Bucker’s Mead Academy in Yeovil, made her debut for the Red Roses in 2008 and is only the seventh English women’s rugby player to win 100 caps playing for her country.

More from News

Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more