Thursday 30th January

Thursday, 30 January 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Lloyds bank is closing its branch in Chard. A Sherborne man has been jailed after defrauding a Yeovil woman of £40,000. A volunteer group in Chard is urging people to sign up to a flood victims register. A councillor in Shepton Mallet has become the first Reform UK member on Somerset Council... and more

Lloyds bank is closing its branch in Chard. It says it’s due to increasing numbers of customers using digital channels for their day-to-day banking. Lloyds plans to shut the Chard branch by March of next year.

A Sherborne man has been sentenced to two years imprisonment after defrauding and manipulating a Yeovil woman telling her that he worked in a bomb disposal role for the US Military. Appearing at Taunton Crown Court, James Starr of Gas House Hill in Sherborne pleaded guilty to coercive and controlling behaviour, and to another charge of fraud against his victim.

Somerset Council has sold 71 million pounds worth of commercial property assets to help stabilise its finances. The buildings, including shops and offices, were originally bought as investments by Somerset’s former district councils, including South Somerset District Council.

A volunteer group in Chard is urging people to sign up to a flood victims register to ensure they can access help more quickly should the town become flooded in the future. Over 100 people had to be evacuated from their homes earlier this week when flash floods hit Chard. Meanwhile, Sainsbury’s in Chard has re-opened after being forced to close when the store flooded.

A 31-year-old man from Street has been jailed for 13 months for causing the death of a woman by careless driving. Beryl Howard, aged 83, died after being struck by a van being reversed out of a driveway by Reece McKinven. He was found in possession of half a gram of cannabis and charged with causing death by careless driving, driving without a licence or insurance and possessing a class B drug. McKinven, who had pleaded guilty to all charges at an earlier hearing, was appearing at Taunton Crown Court for sentencing and was also banned from driving for two-and-a-half years.

A councillor in Shepton Mallet has become the first Reform UK member of Somerset Council. Bente Height has defected to Reform UK after previously being a member of the Conservative group on Somerset Council.

More from News

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
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more