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.

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