Tuesday 16th January

Tuesday, 16 January 2024 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Residents in Castle Cary and Crewkerne could lose their local recycling centres as part of planned spending cuts at Somerset Council. Final approval has been given to build three hundred and sixty new homes in Ilminster. A new warm space has opened to the public in Ilminster...and more

Residents in Castle Cary and Crewkerne could lose their local recycling centres as part of planned spending cuts at Somerset Council. Five recycling centres in the County are at risk of closure due to the Council needing to save one hundred million pounds by April to avoid bankruptcy. A final decision will be made on the closures at a full Council meeting on February 20th.

Final approval has been given to build three hundred and sixty new homes in Ilminster. They’ll be built on land off Canal Way by developers Persimmon Homes South West. Local people had raised concerns about the high number of new houses being planned but Somerset Council says the developers will be making a financial contribution to help mitigate local concerns.

A new warm space has opened to the public in Ilminster. Local Quakers and members of the Women's Institute have teamed up with Abri and Tesco to provide free food, drinks and company every Sunday during January and February at Muchelney House in Ilminster.

A new Dean has been appointed at Wells Cathedral. He’s the Reverend Canon Toby Wright, Team Rector of Witney in Oxfordshire and also Honorary Canon of Christ Church in Oxford.

A Chard woman who became the first-ever female government minister more than one hundred years ago is being remembered at an event in the town. Margaret Bondfield, who was born and educated in Chard and as the Labour MP for Northampton worked as parliamentary secretary at the Ministry of Labour in Ramsey McDonald's government in 1924. Local historian, Sue Dockett, will tell the story of Margaret Bondfield’s life at Chard Guildhall on Thursday, January 25th.

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Friday 30th October

Wells Cathedral says it's having to get creative to bring in more money as financial pressures continue to grow. A convenience store in Martock has been allowed to keep its alcohol licence despite an employee working there illegally. Police have seized an illegally ridden e-scooter in Yeovil in response to concerns from local residents... and more
Thursday 29th October

A Yeovil man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for attacking his mother with a knife. People in Chard are being reminded that it’s unlawful to attach flags to lamp posts and street furniture. Wincanton Racecourse has called off its 'Badger Chase Day' because the ground is too firm... and more
Wednesday 28th October

Leweston School near Sherborne has announced that it is closing with immediate effect. NHS Somerset could merge with neighbours in Bath and North-East Somerset and Dorset to cut costs. Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant has launched a campaign to get more people nominated for national honours... and more
Tuesday 27th October

Work has started building a new six-million-pound flood defence scheme in Taunton. Plans have been submitted to build a new church hall in Martock. People are being asked to donate gifts to this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal... and more
Monday 26th October

Eligible groups in Somerset are being encouraged to get their flu jabs. There’s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside Avon & Somerset Police’s control room. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, has visited Yeovil... and more.
Friday 23rd October

Somerset is the 11th most challenging place in England to be a child according to a report. Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire could have its own elected ‘Wessex Mayor’ by 2028. Cricketer, Ian Botham returns to the county this weekend... and more.
Thursday 22nd October

The NFU says that testing for the virus Bluetongue needs to be sped up. Construction of new flats on Yeovil’s Grimsby Corner site will officially begin next year. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind tomorrow... and more.
Wednesday 21st October

The owner of campsite in Somerset says a two-thousand-seven-hundred percent increase in business rates will be 'catastrophic' for his business. Plans to build nearly 300 new homes on the outskirts of Chard have been given the go ahead. Yeovil Town are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Leatherhead 5-2 at Huish Park last night... and more