Tuesday 10th June

Tuesday, 10 June 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A mother from Chard says schools need to do more to identify students with dyslexia. A fire in a van that caught alight at Stoke-sub-Hamdon is being treated as accidental. A former Yeovil-based police officer, who made it appear he was working when he wasn’t, has been barred from policing...and more

A mother from Chard says schools need to do more to identify students with dyslexia so they can receive help earlier. Carinna Parsons had to fight for years to get a diagnosis for her daughter. She was one of the contributors to a programme about Dyslexia presented by Jamie Oliver and broadcast last night on Channel Four.

A fire in a van that started when a can of petrol caught alight at Stoke-sub-Hamdon is being treated as accidental. Onlookers reported hearing an explosion as the fire took hold within the vehicle at the top of Windsor Lane. The van was completely burnt out. No one was hurt.

A former Yeovil-based police officer, who deliberately held down the keys on his laptop to make it appear he was working when he wasn’t, has been barred from the police force. PC Liam Reakes was found to have committed gross misconduct at a misconduct hearing, having held down the keys on his laptop between June and September of last year, resulting in the loss of more than 100 hours of police work time.

An architect behind plans to build a tidal lagoon in the Bristol Channel says it could provide up to 3% of the country’s electricity needs. The Severn Estuary Commission has carried out research and states that a lagoon in the Bristol Channel would significantly contribute to meeting the UK's electricity demand, which is expected to double over the next 25 years.

Police have charged a woman from Chard with carrying out two burglaries in Winsham. Bianca Rocha, aged 31, is accused of breaking into two properties last Saturday. She is also accused of one count of assaulting an emergency worker.

Bonners the Butchers have been named winners of the business section of this year’s Ilminster scarecrow competition. Milford and Dormer Solicitors were second. The Chair Ladies came third.

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