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

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