Thursday 5th December

Thursday, 5 December 2024 05:00

By Steve Haigh

Attacks on local ambulance crews have more than doubled in the past five years. The trial has begun of two Yeovil men, charged with murdering a neighbour. Somerset Council is due to make a decision early in the New Year on controversial plans to build 47 new homes at Horton, near Ilminster...and more.

According to data from the South West Ambulance Service, attacks on local ambulance crews have more than doubled in the past five years. The latest figures for 2023 recorded more than 3200 incidents which is the highest number for any ambulance service in the country.

The trial has begun of two Yeovil men, charged with murdering a neighbour in a row over rubbish. Martin Carty of Raglan Terrace and Mark Sothcott of Stiby Road are accused of killing Franklin Ingram at Mr Carty’s flat. Taunton Crown Court was told the attack, in June earlier this year, took place after Mr Ingram had complained about Mr Carty sweeping up rubbish and leaving it outside his flat. Both defendants deny murder, and the trial continues. (story courtesy of BBC Somerset).

Somerset Council is due to make a decision in the New Year on controversial plans to build new homes at Horton, near Ilminster. Developers, Blue Spruce Properties Ltd, have applied to build 47 homes on land between Paulls Lane and Pound Road in Horton, close to the western edge of Broadway. The application is facing opposition from local residents who claim Broadway is already overdeveloped.

EDF says it plans to start generating power from the newly installed nuclear reactor at Hinkley Point C by the end of the decade. Hinkley Point C is the first nuclear power station to be built in Britain for 30 years.

Yeovil MP Adam Dance says the government needs to 'wake up' on housing - not just by tackling the housing shortage but the shortage of skills needed to build the 1.5 million new homes over the next five years that the government has promised. Mr Dance says not only is the Labour government’s target over-ambitious but there aren’t enough people being trained as builders or planning staff available within local councils to handle the work.

Three of our local carnival clubs are celebrating after collecting top awards at the Somerset County Presentation. Rubilo Juvenile Carnival Club won both the Somerset County Juvenile Champions 2024 prize and the Most Original Juvenile Entry Champions 2024 prize. Jack Carnival Club clinched the title of Somerset County Single Adult Masquerader Champion. Little R was crowned Somerset County Single Juvenile Masquerader Champion.

Station Road in Ilminster will close tonight and for the next six nights.This is to allow the road to be resurfaced. It will shut between 6.30 and 11.30 each night until next Tuesday, December 10th.

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A fire that damaged two vehicles in Chaffcombe near Chard is being treated as deliberate. A road in Hardington Mandeville is set to re-open today after being closed for three days. Friends, family and colleagues of a Royal Navy officer based at RNAS Yeovilton are taking on a 630-mile coastal challenge in her memory... and more
Thursday 14th May

Somerset Council has defended spending nineteen million pounds on consultants over the past three years. A new clinic specialising in sexual health has opened in Yeovil. RNAS Yeovilton has been in the TV spotlight this week after featuring on Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr...and more
Wednesday 13th May

Concern's been expressed that too many of the 580 new council homes being built in Somerset will be clustered around Taunton and Bridgwater. Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman died following a crash on the M5. Haynes Motor Museum has been awarded £180,000 by The National Lottery to transform its Red Room gallery... and more
Tuesday 12th May

A member of Yeovil Town Council has appeared in court charged with two counts of assault. Health professionals in Somerset are urging people to take up the offer of a free NHS health check. Organisers of Somerset Day have welcomed the name Dunkery given to the dragon on the county flag...and more
Monday 11th May

New figures show a sharp increase in reports of drones interfering with critical air ambulance missions. The Liberal Democrats have retained the Mendip Hills seat on Somerset Council following a by-election. A woman from Chard has been recognised for her contribution to the community with an invitation to the King’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace... and more
Friday 8th May

Police investigating a fire in Shepton Mallet are appealing for help to identify two people. Yeovil MP Adam Dance has called for more government support for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service. This weekend sees the start of the Great Gardening Show at The Newt near Bruton...and more
Thursday 7th May

A disabled man has taken his case to the High Court, arguing that Somerset Council’s council tax reduction scheme is discriminatory. Bristol Airport says travellers planning summer holidays should not change their plans. Chard and Ilminster Amateur Boxing Club has launched a fundraising appeal,..and more
Wednesday 6th May

Pharmacists in Somerset say it's becoming difficult to get hold of some medications. The building used as Club Neo in Stars Lane in Yeovil has been put up for sale. Free gym memberships are being offered to people living with Parkinson's in Somerset...and more