Tuesday 11th June

Tuesday, 11 June 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Around one in ten cats in Somerset still aren't microchipped despite a new law making it compulsory. A survey has ranked Somerset among the UK's top destinations to visit by camper van. Members of Yeovil Freewheelers have completed a one thousand-mile fundraising trip from Land’s End to John O’Groats... and more.

Around one in ten cats in Somerset still aren't microchipped making it difficult to reunite them with their owners if they go missing. A new law, that has taken effect this week, means owners could be fined five hundred pounds if their cat is found without a microchip.

A survey has ranked Somerset among the UK's top destinations to visit by camper van. Somerset was measured on the number of motorhome parks it provides, attractions to visit, and several online searches for campervan hire in Somerset. The County was ranked sixth with a score of 6.67 out of 10, thanks to its beaches, walking trails, and available activities.

A Somerset woman has set up a charity to help young girls leaving the care system. Louise Allen grew up in care and has started the charity ‘Spark Sisterhood’ inviting young girls leaving or who have left the care system, to call her if they need help and support.

A Yeovil man who raised more than £3,500 after his mum died of a brain tumour has sponsored a day of research in her memory. Simon Ross lost his mother, Denise Ross, in 2018 at the age of 60. Simon, with other family members, spent a day at the Centre of Excellence at the University of Plymouth seeing how their fundraising is supporting scientists researching low-grade brain tumours.

An art gallery in Somerton is putting on a display of an embroidered dress that for the past 14 years has been touring the world. The dress has been created by people in fifty-one countries, expressing their identity and culture through embroidery.

Members of Yeovil Freewheelers, who supply medical items to local hospitals, have completed a fundraising trip from Land’s End to John O’Groats. The bikers took just 24 hours to finish the 1,000-mile journey.

More from News

Friday 13th March

The first of the new medium lift helicopters being built by Leonardo in Yeovil for the RAF will be delivered in 2031. Somerset Council has launched a public consultation on planned new charges at its two hundred public car parks. More women in Somerset are said to be taking up walking football... and more
Thursday 12th March

A Yeovil headteacher says he’s concerned about plans to stop giving school holiday food vouchers to families on low incomes. The owner of Yeovil Town is calling on fans to be patient as he continues his overhaul of the National League side. A high voltage fault is being blamed for plunging 1700 homes into darkness in the Ilminster area... and more
Wednesday 11th March

Plans have been submitted to convert two properties in Yeovil into houses of multiple occupation. A new court date has been announced for a Yeovil man charged with attempted murder. An engineer who has worked at the Leonardo factory in Yeovil for 40-years has won a top industry award... and more
Tuesday 10th March

Police say a fire at the former Oscar Mayer food factory in Chard was started deliberately. Yeovil College says it would have been adversely affected had Leonardo not won the contract to build new medium-lift helicopters. A seven-foot dragon will be visiting towns and villages in our area during the next few weeks to promote Somerset Day... and more
Monday 9th March

Two Wildcat helicopters from 815 Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton have arrived in Cyprus to help protect RAF Akrotiri from further Iranian drone strikes. New figures show that 40 people were killed on Avon and Somerset’s roads in the last 12-months. A Somerset man has been recalling the day 60-years ago when he was a passenger on the last train on the Somerset and Dorset Railway... and more
Friday 6th March

Defence Minister Luke Pollard has been explaining why it took the government so long to confirm a contract for the Leonardo in Yeovil to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. Police are investigating a break in at a pet shop in Ilminster. Somerset Council is to stop using red ink on council tax reminder letters... and more
Thursday 5th March

Two military helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton are being sent to Cyprus to help bolster UK’s defences amid the US-Israel war with Iran. Yeovil Town Council is seeking legal advice over the closure of the hyper acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. Flood warnings have been lifted on the Somerset Levels... and more
Wednesday 4th March

A man has died in a fire in Wincanton. Somerset Council is planning further cuts of twenty-one million pounds to help balance its books. A campaign to raise £30,000 for a minibus has been launched in Chard... and more