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.

More from News

Friday 12th June

It's claimed the increasing availability of drugs such as ketamine and cocaine has normalised drug use among young people in Somerset. The trial of a man accused of killing his one-month-old son in Chard begins today at Bristol Crown Court. A stone pillar outside the Langport Arms Hotel in Langport has been replaced after it was destroyed in a car crash... and more
Thursday 11th June

Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to the three aircrew from RNAS Yeovilton who died in last week's helicopter crash in Devon. Two men have been arrested and stolen vehicles seized following a major multi-agency operation in South Somerset. An event highlighting opportunities for women in the aerospace industry has been held in Yeovil... and more
Wednesday 10th June

The public will be consulted on how best to spend fifty million pounds of government funding to tackle flooding in Somerset. Avon and Somerset Police are backing a new road safety campaign aimed at reducing motorcycle fatalities. New welcome signs have been installed at entrances to the Mendip Hills National Landscape... and more
Tuesday 9th June

The government has announced a £50 million investment to strengthen Somerset’s flood defences. A woman from Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been banned from driving for 14 months after admitting drink-driving. Somerset Council has been told it must improve its adult social care services... and more
Monday 8th June

Plans for a new railway station in Langport remain stalled in Whitehall, according to Somerset Council. Plans to build 50 new homes in Broadway, near Ilminster, have been refused. The new water fountains in Yeovil’s Triangle, in Lower Middle Street, are being switched off during very hot weather because of safety concerns... and more.
Friday 5th June

A new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne says it won’t start operating at full capacity until July due to staff shortages. Somerset Council says it has no plans to show England matches in the World Cup on the Big Screen in Yeovil town centre due to safety concerns. A Somerset family has been thanked after completing a 73-mile walk raising money for a third world charity... and more
Thursday 4th June

An investigation continues today into the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter, based at RNAS Yeovilton, in which all three aircrew were killed. Somerset Council has confirmed that a new operator will take over several leisure centres across the county. The new live-action Masters of the Universe movie, filmed in Somerset, is released this week...and more
Wednesday 3rd June

A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with assaulting three police officers. Somerset Council has begun legal action to recover more than £320,000 owed by housing developers. The line-up has been announced for this year’s Ilminster Midsummer Experience...and more