Monday 9th December

Monday, 9 December 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Preston Church of England School has been named one of the best-run state schools in the country. Councillors have delayed a decision on plans to build 30 new homes in Keinton Mandeville. Original film footage of King Charles’s christening in 1948 is being offered for sale at auction in Chard...and more

A Yeovil primary school has been ranked one of the best-run state schools in the country. Preston Church of England School was named the second best in the South West and the 25th in England by The Sunday Times. The Parent Power Guide also named Countess Gytha Primary School in Queen Camel the region's third-best school, and the 47th best in England.

Councillors have delayed a decision on plans to build 30 new homes in Keinton Mandeville. Developers, Galion Homes, want to build the homes to the north of Church Street, with the demolition of an existing bungalow on the site to provide access. Members of Somerset Council’s Planning South Committee voted to defer a decision on the application after concerns were raised about over-development, road safety, and the loss of green space in the heart of the village.

Original film footage of King Charles’s christening is being offered for sale at auction in Chard. It shows King Charles being held by his mother, Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Queen Mary and King George the Sixth. Dated December 15th 1948 and described as in mint condition, it will go under the hammer at Courtyard Auctioneers in Chard, on Thursday, December 12th.

Seven newly qualified Wildcat helicopter aircrew have completed their training at RNAS Yeovilton's 825 Naval Air Squadron. The presentation of their Wings marked the culmination of weeks of study and practical assessments. The sailors are due to join 825's sister squadron, 815, on frontline operational tasks.

A number of local holiday businesses have been recognized in the 2024 Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards. Knowle Meadow Camping in Chard won gold in the New Tourism Business Awards category. Croftview – Hinton Park Holidays, Hinton St George, took silver in the Self Catering Accommodation of the Year category, with Hadspen Glamping of Castle Cary awarded Bronze in the Glamping Business of the Year category.

Radio Ninesprings has joined with local charity, Help for Homeless, to support their Christmas Shoebox Appeal. It asks for donations of essential items like warm socks, toiletries, and treats to give to men and women who, this Christmas, will sleep rough in Somerset. If you would like to donate to Help for Homeless, please put your items in a shoebox-size box and take it for collection to Dandelion Cotton in the Quedam or, the Gateway Church on Addlewell Lane in Yeovil.

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Friday 31st July

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service says July has been its busiest month ever for emergency calls. Police have recovered a 1970s Austin Mini pick-up stolen in Shepton Mallet. A specialist spinal injuries service at Yeovil Hospital has treated three hundred patients in its first year... and more
Thursday 30th July

The Environment Agency has declared a drought across Somerset as the hot weather takes its toll on the county's water supplies. Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic accident near Crewkerne. A bowls player from Yeovil has won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow...and more
Wednesday 29th July

Police have arrested two suspects in connection with a series of moped thefts in Chard. A combine harvester has been destroyed in a farm fire at Forton, near Chard. A bowls player from Yeovil has won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow... and more
Tuesday 28th July

The former Beales department store in Yeovil could be brought back into use as part of a wider masterplan for the future of the town. A yellow heat health alert is in place across Somerset from nine o’clock this morning until nine o’clock on Friday morning. A Somerset farmer says this year is the driest on his land since 1976... and more
Monday 27th July

Gooch and Housego, based in Ilminster and one of the town’s biggest employers, has been sold in a multi-million-pound deal to an American private equity firm. A father who shook his four-week-old baby to death at a house in Chard has been sentenced to life in prison. A doctor who works for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is one of five people to have jointly set a new world record for rowing around Great Britain... and more
Friday 24th July

Avon and Somerset Police are warning people to watch out for scammers posing as Amazon. The CEO of the company that provides Somerset's recycling is warning of a major incident if people continue to put used batteries in waste bins. A former Yeovil pub could be demolished to make way for a major hotel expansion.
Thursday 23rd July

The West Country is officially one step closer to being declared in drought. Somerset Council says it's remodelling its service after a children's home was closed following an inspection. A new McDonald's planned off the M5 at Bridgwater could create up to 120 local jobs... and more
Wednesday 22nd July

Two men have been jailed for stealing electrical items and cash from a property in Yeovil. Somerset Council has defended its use of Yeovil’s new performance area in The Triangle, in Lower Middle Street. Tintinhull Primary School, near Yeovil, has won a top national award for outdoor play... and more