Thursday 14th August

Thursday, 14 August 2025 06:00

Yeovil residents are being asked whether they would pay for part of the Octagon Theatre refurbishment. Spending on buses in Somerset is the lowest per head in the region, according to the county's bus partnership. A Yeovil fraudster has been jailed for almost three years...and more.

Yeovil residents are being asked whether they would be willing to pay part of the bill for the refurbishment of the Octagon Theatre. It's been closed for two years while plans are made for the theatre, but the town council wants to raise its council tax precept by more than three per cent to cover a £3,000,000 loan. Leader of the council, Andy Soughton, says if residents reject the plans, it’s back to the drawing board.

Spending on buses in Somerset is the lowest per head in the region, according to the county's bus partnership. It comes after a major parliamentary report into services around England, which suggests a number of improvements to support rural communities. The Somerset Bus Partnership submitted evidence to the Transport Select Committee's report.

A Yeovil fraudster who stole thousands of pounds in so-called romance scams has been jailed for almost three years. Ben Millin fabricated stories of dying relatives, health conditions and job interviews to defraud four women out of an estimated £30,000 to £40,000. A proportion of the money helped fund his gambling habits.

Somerset Council say that around £1,000,000 could be saved if residents recycled all of their food waste, instead of binning it. Following the authority’s collaboration with SUEZ’s food waste recycling service, they say that the process is a cheaper and greener way to dispose of food waste compared to the process used with general waste bins. Whilst 7 out of 10 households in the county regularly put their food waste out for recycling, it is estimated that 16,000 tonnes a year is still going into the rubbish bin – that’s three meals a week, per household. Residents who need a new or replacement kitchen caddy or food waste bin can request it online at www.somerset.gov.uk/order-bins

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Thursday 30th April

More than 4,500 people have expressed interest in joining a new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne. Somerset Council says a long-term solution is needed to make Hendford Hill in Yeovil fully safe for motorists. A Somerset man has won first prize at the World Marmalade Awards... and more
Wednesday 29th April

Somerset Council says Hendford Hill in Yeovil should be fully reopened to traffic by the end of May. Plans have been approved to build 40 new homes in Crewkerne. A huge pile of illegally dumped rubbish in Glastonbury has been cleared... and more
Tuesday 28th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision at Rimpton. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in South Petherton. Former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson has been retained as first-team manager of Taunton Town for next season... and more
Monday 27th April

A former school in Sherborne has been badly damaged by fire. A care home in Yeovil has been rated outstanding. ublic spaces in West Coker owned by Somerset Council are being handed over to the parish council. Mendip Golf Club has presented a cheque for £12,000 to Mind in Somerset... and more
Friday 24th April

Plans have been submitted to turn a property on Preston Road in Yeovil into a House in Multiple Occupation. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has been recalled to the England Red Roses starting line-up for tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations game against Wales. Three sisters from Yeovil will be running the London Marathon this weekend in support of Guide Dogs UK... and more
Thursday 23rd April

Helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton have completed six weeks of sorties, protecting Cyprus from attacks by Iran. People in Somerset who use domestic heating oil are calling on the government to regulate the oil supply industry. Patients are being invited to register at a new NHS dentist in Crewkerne... and more
Wednesday 22nd April

Expectant mothers are using Yeovil Hospital once again to give birth following the reopening of the maternity unit. A Yeovil man has been jailed for four years for committing sexual offences against two young girls. Plans have been approved to convert a pub in Milborne Port into housing... and more
Tuesday 21st April

NHS Somerset has delayed closing the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. A former Avon and Somerset Police officer has been jailed for making indecent images of children. A Somerset man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild animal with dogs... and more