Tuesday 12th December

Tuesday, 12 December 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

South Western Ambulance say they have more staff and vehicles at their disposal going into this winter, than they did going into the previous two winters. The rail line between Yeovil and Exeter remains closed again today following last week's landslip near Crewkerne Tunnel. A decision is expected before Christmas on whether a new football stadium will be built in Chard...and more.

South Western Ambulance say they have more staff and vehicles at their disposal going into this winter, than they did going into the previous two winters. To help with the expected higher demand, they’re asking people to only dial 999 in life-threatening situations.

Nearly a week after bad weather caused a landslip at the entrance to Crewkerne Tunnel the rail line between Yeovil and Exeter remains closed. It follows delays caused by the wet conditions removing around 300 tonnes of debris from near the tunnel. The line between Yeovil and Salisbury reopened yesterday but the section between Yeovil and Exeter isn’t expected to reopen until tomorrow.

A decision is expected before Christmas on whether a new football stadium and nearly 300 new homes should be built in Chard. The development, including a new ground for Chard Town Football Club, would be built on land between Thorndun Park Drive and Crimchard, on the northern edge of Chard. Access to the homes and stadium would be from Thorndun Park Drive, with existing footpaths, including the link around Chard Bowls Club, being enhanced. Somerset Council's Planning Committee South is due to meet to discuss the plans on Tuesday, December 19th.

The mother of Tobias Turley from Street, who won the ITV series 'Mamma Mia I Have a Dream' says her son winning the competition has been an incredible achievement. Tobias, who’s 23, will now play the lead role of Sky, alongside fellow winner Stevie Doc, who'll play Sophie in the West End production of the ABBA musical.

Money is being raised to build a heritage centre in Ilminster. The town’s History Society which gathers information and documents about Ilminster’s history is looking for a permanent place to store its collection. It’s planning several events to raise the £10,000 needed to fund the project.

Members of 1st Ilminster Scouts have been learning about the workings of local government as part of UK Parliament Week. During a visit to Ilminster Town Council, the scouts took part in a mock council meeting, acting in the role of councillors, with the Mayor, Councillor Leanne Taylor, and the Town Clerk, Mark Tredwin, overseeing the proceedings.

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A new website has been launched to support people in Somerset with mental health issues. One of Yeovil’s oldest pubs has been sold. Artwork on the theme of aviation produced by students at Yeovil College has gone on display at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil.A pupil at Tatworth Primary School near Chard has won a prize in a national competition for writing a book review...and more
Thursday 16th May

Work laying a gas main on the A37 Dorchester Road near the Quicksilver Mail roundabout in Yeovil is to continue for a further two months. Somerset Council says the public toilets in Yeovil bus station will close at the end of the month but the waiting room will stay open temporarily. Former Yeovil Town Captain, Josh Staunton, has set up in business as a professional gardener...and more.
Wednesday 15th May

Somerset Council seeking to save £40 million by cutting one thousand jobs says 201 employees have so far applied to leave the authority based on voluntary redundancy. East Somerset Railway near Shepton Mallet has been used for filming the TV adaptation of Jilly Cooper's novel Rivals. An old-style red phone box in Castle Cary is being turned into Somerset's smallest museum...and more
Tuesday 14th May

Somerset's Chief Medical Officer says GP surgeries using healthcare professionals alongside doctors to provide treatments has freed up GP appointments. A farmer has been fined £15,000 for polluting a household water supply. Avon and Somerset’s new Police and Crime Commissioner has officially started work in the role. Chard Post Office is closed today for the handover of the business to new owners...and more.
Monday 13th May

Health inspectors have criticised Somerset's maternity services, including those at Yeovil Hospital. Somerset Council says re-opening Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre in its original form could cost up to £200,000 if a multi-million-pound upgrade of the building falls through. A film made by a Yeovil man on a budget of just five thousand pounds was screened at the prestigious British Independent Film Festival...and more.
Friday 10th May

The Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard says it needs an immediate injection of £100,000 to keep going. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has returned to Yeovil Rugby Club where she began her rugby career 20 years ago. Twenty-five Town criers from across the South will be in Ilminster tomorrow competing in the annual Ilminster Town Criers' Competition...and more.
Thursday 9th May

Train services through Somerset are again being disrupted today due to continued strike action by the train driver’s union ALSEF. A campaign has been launched in Somerset aimed at stopping people overdosing on opioids. A Somerset business is raising a smile with its name.‘Top Of The Clops’, a tack shop near Taunton has won a place in the top ten of the UK’s funniest business names...and more.
Wednesday 8th May

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