Thursday 16th May

Thursday, 16 May 2024 07:00

By Steve Haigh

Work laying a gas main on the A37 Dorchester Road near the Quicksilver Mail roundabout in Yeovil is to continue for a further two months. Somerset Council says the public toilets in Yeovil bus station will close at the end of the month but the waiting room will stay open temporarily. Former Yeovil Town Captain, Josh Staunton, has set up in business as a professional gardener...and more.

Work laying a gas main on the A37 Dorchester Road by the Quicksilver Mail roundabout in Yeovil will continue for another two months. Wales and West Utilities say temporary traffic lights on Dorchester Road and Hendford Hill will remain until the end of May. After that, temporary lights and a one-way system will operate on Hendford Hill until early August, causing delays to traffic.

Somerset Council says the public toilets in Yeovil bus station will close at the end of the month but the waiting room will stay open temporarily. The Council says it can’t afford the £70,000 needed to keep the toilets open and they will shut on May 31st. The Council says a deal struck with Somerset Bus Partnership and First Bus will keep the waiting room open for a few more months. Meanwhile, Yeovil Town Council is to take on the running of more services from cash-strapped Somerset Council. Yeovil Town Council has already agreed to take over running the Westlands Entertainment Venue, Octagon Theatre, Ninesprings Country Park and Yeovil Rec, adding around one million pounds to its share of the Council tax. Now, it will run open spaces in Yeovil, including play parks and Yeovil in Bloom, at an annual cost of £350,000.

Former Yeovil Town Captain, Josh Staunton, has started a business as a gardener. Josh, who was released by the Glovers last season, says he always planned to start a business when his time ended as a full-time professional footballer.

The number of Bitterns on the Somerset Levels has reached record numbers. Somerset Wildlife Trust says it recently recorded 41 male bitterns on their nature reserves in the Avalon Marshes.

Three sisters are planning to walk from Crewkerne to Lyme Regis raising funds for St Margaret’s Hospice in memory of their late mother. Sisters, Annabel Gray, Laura Tucker, and Sophie Blatchford will set off on the nineteen-mile Liberty Trail to Lyme Regis on Saturday, June 1st, in memory of Caroline Taylor, who died last September.

More from News

Wednesday 26th November

Workers at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil, belonging to the Unite union, have accepted a new pay offer of 8% over two years. Yeovil Town has appointed a new first-team Manager. A new NHS dental practice is due to open in Chard next month...and more
Tuesday 25th November

Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, is calling on the Chancellor to deliver ‘real economic growth’ for Yeovil in her budget tomorrow. The government has given Yeovil College £2 million to upgrade its engineering facilities. A Chard-based charity has sent 7,000 boxes filled with Christmas gifts to Ukraine...and more.
Monday 24th November

A church leader has warned that “irrevocable damage” will be caused to town centres if Somerset Council starts charging for Sunday parking. Fifty new homes are to be built in Castle Cary following a successful planning appeal. A call has been made for a memorial to the victims who died in a plane crash on the Blackdown Hills 80 years ago...and more.
Friday 21st November

A public inquiry is being held into plans to build a large solar farm in the village of Wayford. Fire crews have put out a small blaze at Tesco in Ilminster. Canadian firm KDC One is closing its Wellington factory, putting dozens of jobs at risk. It's Ilminster's turn to switch on the Christmas lights tonight... and more.
Thursday 20th November

Taunton Town Council has agreed to provide funding for five years to support the town's Brewhouse Theatre. The Environment Agency is warning that Somerset could experience a drought next spring if this winter is drier than usual. We’re being asked to look out for rough sleepers during the current cold snap...and more
Wednesday 19th November

Yeovil MP Adam Dance is calling for stronger preventative measures to stop sewage discharges into local waterways. Somerset Council is to provide three new children's homes across the County. Street Football Club has appointed a father-and-son team to manage the club... and more.
Tuesday 18th November

Somerset Council has set up a task force to help identify land for a permanent traveller’s site in the county. Police are appealing for information after a charity shop in Martock was targeted by burglars. A Somerset woman is seeking individuals with a connection to the armed forces to join a new amateur rowing club...and more.
Monday 17th November

Workers belonging to the Unite union at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil are threatening further strike action. Dunelm says its Yeovil store in the Quedam will reopen on Tuesday, December 16th. A nurse working at Yeovil Hospital has won a place in the final of Miss England...and more.