Monday 7th April

Monday, 7 April 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

There’s been a setback in building a new multi-million-pound electric car battery factory in Somerset. A new bus service has started running between Yeovil and Bristol. A new project has been launched to support people living with dementia in Somerset. Wetherspoon's in Yeovil reopens to customers tomorrow following a £1.6 million refurbishment...and more

A setback has been made in building a new multi-million-pound electric car battery factory in Somerset. Jaguar Land Rover, which is building the plant alongside the M5 at Puriton near Bridgwater, says that due to a slowdown in electric vehicle sales, the factory will now be built smaller than was originally planned. The opening date for production to start has been delayed by a year to 2027.

A new bus service has started running from Yeovil to Bristol. The 376 service stops in Street and runs to Bristol daily.

Wetherspoon's in Yeovil reopens to customers tomorrow following a £1.6 million refurbishment. The William Dampier pub, on the corner of Central Street and Middle Street, has been closed since January. Weatherspoon's says the upgrade, including a new beer garden, has created 35 full and part-time jobs.

Somerset Council has closed the public toilets opposite Tesco in Ilminster. The Council shut the toilets last week, saying they could no longer afford to keep them open. Ilminster Town Council has been asked to take over running the toilets and is due to discuss the issue at a meeting on April 15th.

The Managing Director of Leonardo in Yeovil, Nigel Coleman, says this is a good time to be in the defence sector. It comes after the company was awarded a £165m contract to service and repair Merlin Helicopters.

A new project has been launched to support people living with dementia in Somerset. Run by Froglife, it aims to get people with memory loss outdoors and be more active.

Four boys at Hazelgrove School at Sparkford are planning a cycling marathon in aid of the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. Hambo Kane, Ed Hyland, Freddie Storey and Louis Plunkett, all aged under 12, plan to cycle the 125 miles from Cardinham in Cornwall to Sparkford over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

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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,