Avon and Somerset Police are stepping up their efforts to cut knife crime. A driver who videoed himself admitting he was drunk at the wheel before killing a woman in a crash near Wincanton has had his prison sentence increased. Fundraising to support the family of a Somerset jockey who died earlier this month has topped 54 thousand pounds...and more
Avon and Somerset Police are stepping up their efforts to cut knife crime. Speaking at a Crime Commissioners Performance Board meeting, Chief Constable Sarah Crew said her officers would launch a high-profile proactive operation to tackle knife crime better. She added that the “unreasonable” use of stop and search powers was not the solution but rather tackling the root causes of why people carry knives, and the greater use of knife surrender bins.
A driver who videoed himself admitting he was drunk at the wheel before killing a woman in a crash near Wincanton has had his prison sentence increased. Anton Hull was jailed for six years at Taunton Crown Court in November last year for causing the death of Sarah Baker in August 2022. The Attorney General's Office referred his sentence to the Court of Appeal, claiming it was unduly lenient. At a hearing held in London, three appeal judges agreed, and increased Hull's sentence from six years to nine years and three months.
Fundraising to support the family of a Somerset jockey who died earlier this month has topped 54 thousand pounds. 25-year-old Keagan Kirkby was part of champion trainer Paul Nicholls' team and worked at his yard in Ditcheat, near Shepton Mallet. He was killed at a point-to-point, after being thrown from his horse.
Somerton Town Youth Football Club is running a boot swap scheme. The idea is to help parents buy boots for children who play football at grassroots level.
The Ferne Animal Sanctuary has opened a new store in Crewkerne. The outlet in Falkland Square will be officially opened on Friday, February 23rd at 11 am by local MP Marcus Fysh.
Bird flu has been found at a nature reserve in Somerset, closing part of it down. St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset is calling for the hospice sector to be given more central funding. The Barrington Boar in Barrington has been placed 12th in The Good Food Guide’s list of 100 best pubs in Britain... and more
Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.
Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more
The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more
New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more
Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more
A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more
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Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid out compensation of £23 million for claims related to birth injuries. A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre...and more
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