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.

More from News

Friday 12th June

It's claimed the increasing availability of drugs such as ketamine and cocaine has normalised drug use among young people in Somerset. The trial of a man accused of killing his one-month-old son in Chard begins today at Bristol Crown Court. A stone pillar outside the Langport Arms Hotel in Langport has been replaced after it was destroyed in a car crash... and more
Thursday 11th June

Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to the three aircrew from RNAS Yeovilton who died in last week's helicopter crash in Devon. Two men have been arrested and stolen vehicles seized following a major multi-agency operation in South Somerset. An event highlighting opportunities for women in the aerospace industry has been held in Yeovil... and more
Wednesday 10th June

The public will be consulted on how best to spend fifty million pounds of government funding to tackle flooding in Somerset. Avon and Somerset Police are backing a new road safety campaign aimed at reducing motorcycle fatalities. New welcome signs have been installed at entrances to the Mendip Hills National Landscape... and more
Tuesday 9th June

The government has announced a £50 million investment to strengthen Somerset’s flood defences. A woman from Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been banned from driving for 14 months after admitting drink-driving. Somerset Council has been told it must improve its adult social care services... and more
Monday 8th June

Plans for a new railway station in Langport remain stalled in Whitehall, according to Somerset Council. Plans to build 50 new homes in Broadway, near Ilminster, have been refused. The new water fountains in Yeovil’s Triangle, in Lower Middle Street, are being switched off during very hot weather because of safety concerns... and more.
Friday 5th June

A new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne says it won’t start operating at full capacity until July due to staff shortages. Somerset Council says it has no plans to show England matches in the World Cup on the Big Screen in Yeovil town centre due to safety concerns. A Somerset family has been thanked after completing a 73-mile walk raising money for a third world charity... and more
Thursday 4th June

An investigation continues today into the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter, based at RNAS Yeovilton, in which all three aircrew were killed. Somerset Council has confirmed that a new operator will take over several leisure centres across the county. The new live-action Masters of the Universe movie, filmed in Somerset, is released this week...and more
Wednesday 3rd June

A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with assaulting three police officers. Somerset Council has begun legal action to recover more than £320,000 owed by housing developers. The line-up has been announced for this year’s Ilminster Midsummer Experience...and more