Monday 8th January

Monday, 8 January 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Council says it needs to raise council tax by ten per cent to prevent it from bankruptcy. Two local men have been jailed after admitting to dealing in stolen farm machinery. A Chard woman has set a new personal best by completing four marathons in as many days....and more.

Somerset Council says it needs to raise council tax by ten per cent to prevent it from going bankrupt. The Council’s ruling Lib Dem Executive meets on January 15th to agree on a savings plan that includes closing recycling centres, visitor centres and reducing subsidies to local theatres. Nevertheless, even after making these cuts, the Council says it will still have a shortfall in its budget starting in April of tens of millions of pounds.

Two local men have been jailed after admitting to dealing in stolen farm machinery. Harry Hollowell of Jellicoe Road, in Yeovil, and Vincent Bruce, of Bearley Lane, in Tintinhull, were appearing for sentencing at Bristol Crown Court. Hollowell was sentenced to three years and two months imprisonment and Bruce to one year and four months, suspended for two years.

A Somerset family has given up attempting to cross halfway around the world without flying. Shannon Coggins, Theo Simon and their daughter Rosa left East Pennard in August to travel the 10,000 miles to Australia by land and sea only. But Theo says at the halfway point, they had to concede that flying was their only way of making it to Australia.

Thatcher’s Cider is giving away five hundred apple trees to local community groups. The cider maker says it wants to see the creation of community orchards in rural and inner city areas to support those in greatest need.

A Chard woman has set a personal best by completing four marathons in as many days. Lisa White who works at the 1610 gym in Chard completed each marathon in around four and a half hours, covering a total distance of 104.8 miles.

Yeovil Town have moved to 10 points clear at the top of National League South after their win against local rivals Bath City by 2 goals to nil at Huish Park on Saturday. Yeovil are next in action tomorrow night when they play away against Taunton Town at Wordsworth Drive. Kick-off is 7.45 pm.

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Thursday 30th October

Bird flu has been found at a nature reserve in Somerset, closing part of it down. St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset is calling for the hospice sector to be given more central funding. The Barrington Boar in Barrington has been placed 12th in The Good Food Guide’s list of 100 best pubs in Britain... and more
Wednesday 29th October

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.
Tuesday 28th October

Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more
Monday 27th October

The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more
Friday 24th October

New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more
Thursday 23rd October

Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more
Wednesday 22nd October

A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more .
Tuesday 21st October

Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid out compensation of £23 million for claims related to birth injuries. A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre...and more