Thursday 13th March

Thursday, 13 March 2025 05:00

By Steve Haigh

A new campaign has been launched to persuade people in Somerset to stop smoking. Four people have been arrested in Chard in connection with the supply of Class A drugs. A dog from Yeovil has won the title of ‘best in breed’ at Crufts...and more.

NHS Somerset has launched a new campaign to persuade people in Somerset to stop smoking. Data shows that around 60,000 people smoke in Somerset. The Smokefree initiative targets those in high-risk groups, where smoking rates are higher or where cigarettes pose a health concern.

Four people have been arrested in Chard in connection with the supply of Class A drugs. South Somerset Neighbourhood Policing Team seized items relating to drug supply during a raid on a property in the town. Avon and Somerset Police say their enquiries remain ongoing.

Police are seeking witnesses to a two-vehicle collision in Chard. The crash, involving a grey BMW 520D and a grey VW Golf, happened in Church Street at around 5.30 pm on Monday, March 10th. A woman in the Golf was treated for her injuries at the scene. Police say their enquiries are ongoing and ask that anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage to please call the non-emergency number 101.

A Yeovil woman has appeared in court charged with using threatening and abusive language towards a family member. Pleading guilty to the charge at Yeovil magistrates court, Dorothy Isaacs, aged 76 of Orchard Close in Yeovil Marsh was fined £120 with £40 costs.

Blackdown Acapella made up of over 30 women singers who live in the Blackdowns, are to compete in the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers Convention. The event, being held in Harrogate in October, will allow the group to win national recognition for its work.

A dog from Yeovil has won the title of ‘best in breed’ at Crufts. Manu, a Finnish Lapphund, was singled out by the judging panel for having a ‘delightful head and expression’. His owner, Edward Forsey, has described Manu as a ‘once-in-a-lifetime dog’.

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Thursday 17th September

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18,000 shoplifting offences have been recorded in the Avon and Somerset Police area in the last financial year. A Chard man has been sentenced for assaulting a police officer. Forefront Community Centre in Chard is celebrating 20 years of bringing people together in the town... and more
Wednesday 16th September

A pilot with the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance says there will be 'catastrophic' consequences if laser pointers continue to be pointed at their aircraft. Plans to build forty new homes in the village of Curry Rivel have been given the go ahead. The owner of a ram called Rambo in Keinton Mandeville has thanked firefighters for rescuing him after he got stuck in a concrete pipe... and more
Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more