Monday 3rd February

Monday, 3 February 2025 05:00

By Steve Haigh

Five men have appeared in court charged with the murder of a man in Yeovil. A 16-year-old is the second person to be arrested in connection with a stabbing in Yeovil. Yeovil’s new outdoor entertainment space in Lower Middle Street has been officially opened by the town’s MP... and more.

Five men have appeared in court charged with the murder of a man in Yeovil. The body of Michael Wheeler was found at Yarlington, one month after he was reported missing. Appearing at Bristol Crown Court, Mark Roberts, aged 38, Angus Warner, aged 32, Reuben Clare, aged 18, David Garland, aged 39, and Jack Rance, aged 28, each pleaded not guilty to murder. They also denied a charge of conspiracy to murder Mr Wheeler between August 1 and August 25 last year. All five were remanded into custody ahead of their trial, set for April 28th.

Data shows that around 350 people who attended A&E at Yeovil Hospital and Taunton’s Musgrove Park Hospital in December had to wait more than 12 hours to be seen. NHS Somerset says it was due to bed blocking, where no follow-on care was available to discharge patients, and also a higher number of people being unwell in December, and requiring hospital treatment.

Yeovil’s new outdoor entertainment space in the Triangle in Lower Middle Street has been officially opened by the town’s MP, Adam Dance. The area, which includes seating for 100, a water feature and a big TV screen, is part of the £24 million Yeovil Refresh Project, aimed at smartening up the look of the town centre and attracting new investment.

Longleat on the Somerset/Wiltshire border will be joining in with celebrations to mark the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birthday this year. It’s thought Jane Austen visited the estate and that some scenes described in her books may have been inspired by the visit.

A 16-year-old is the second person to be arrested after two people were stabbed in Yeovil. Police say the teenager has been arrested on suspicion of affray and being in possession of a bladed article in a public place. It follows an incident in Raglan Terrace last Wednesday when a man in his 50s, and a teenage boy were taken to hospital after suffering stab wounds. A 15-year-old boy was also arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent and affray.

The Village Agents scheme in Somerset says the decision by the government to cut winter fuel payments has hit people really hard in Somerset. They say hundreds of people have been in touch asking for help with paying their heating bills.

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Wednesday 28th January

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has announced plans to develop a new operational base on the Leonardo airfield in Yeovil. Several people have been rescued from their homes in Ilminster due to flooding. An £800,000 project is underway to restore two staircases at Montecute House...and more
Tuesday 27th January

Last week was the wettest seven-day period in Somerset for twelve years. NHS Somerset says it’s working towards making access to dental care fairer for all. A scout leader in Somerset has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to Young People...and more
Monday 26th January

A new group has been formed to challenge plans to build 100 new homes in Keinton Mandeville. Bridgwater Town Council has voted to increase its share of the Council Tax by 5%. Organisers of Yeovil in Bloom are appealing for young people to get involved in this year’s competition...and more
Friday 23rd January

New data shows that South Western Ambulance is one of the worst-performing ambulance trusts in England. Plans to introduce improved accessibility at Yeovil Junction station have moved a step closer. A community centre in Street is providing vulnerable people with a warm, safe place to meet...and more.
Thursday 22nd January

A new NHS diagnostic centre has opened in Yeovil. The go-ahead has been given to build a replacement school for Milford Junior School in Yeovil. A new 500-bed hotel-style campus is being planned to accommodate workers at the new Agratas car battery factory near Bridgwater...and more
Wednesday 21st January

Councillors have approved controversial plans to build four large carnival club sheds near Ilminster. Somerset Council says there's an increasing gap between the cost of education and the amount the government provides to run local schools. The Bridgwater Tidal Barrier, aimed at protecting homes and businesses from flooding, has been reduced in size...and more
Tuesday 20th January

Citizens Advice says thousands of people in Somerset have lost some or all of their council tax discount. The UK's first autonomous full-size helicopter, manufactured by Leonardo in Yeovil, has successfully completed its maiden flight. A new pharmacy has opened in Wincanton...and more
Monday 19th January

The government is facing increasing pressure to clarify whether it will order new medium-lift helicopters from Leonardo in Yeovil. Somerset Council is spending £5 million on new laptops. A new singing group is being set up in Yeovil for people living with dementia...and more