Thursday 14th March

Thursday, 14 March 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A new campaign is urging people in Somerset to quit smoking as health experts estimate that around sixty thousand people still smoke cigarettes across the county. An Ilminster man caught driving while disqualified has been jailed for eight weeks. A Somerset couple are preparing to travel to Ukraine to deliver a vehicle for use on the frontline in the war against Russia...and more.

A new campaign's urging people in Somerset to quit smoking as health experts estimate around sixty thousand people still smoke cigarettes across the county. This week marks the 40th anniversary of No Smoking Day and the release of a new TV anti-smoking advert backed by Cancer Research UK.

An Ilminster man caught driving while disqualified has been jailed for eight weeks after breaching a court order. Morgan Freeman, aged 25, of Ile Court, in Ilminster, was appearing at Taunton Magistrates' Court for failing to comply with the requirements of a community order. The court was told that Freeman had failed to attend appointments as directed. Magistrates revoked the community order and sentenced him for the original offence of driving while disqualified.

Somerset Council is selling Petters House on Petters Way in Yeovil. The building was operated as a customer access point by South Somerset District Council before being transferred to the new Somerset Council in April 2023. A new customer access point will be introduced at Yeovil Library.

A fund has reopened to provide fresh support to veterans in Somerset injured during military service. Ex-service personnel can apply to the fund being administered by the charity Help for Heroes to get financial help with specialist equipment.

A Somerset couple are preparing to travel to Ukraine to deliver a vehicle for use on the frontline. Ed Chalmers and Katie Hines will travel the thirteen hundred miles over 3-days to Ukraine on behalf of the charity, Driving Ukraine, which so far has delivered seventy vehicles to the country to use in the war against Russia.

More from News

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