Tuesday 16th June

Tuesday, 16 June 2026 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal two-vehicle crash on the A358 near Ilminster. A man from Norton-sub-Hamdon has appeared in court charged with drink driving. An original Mr Blobby costume from the former Blobbyland theme park at Cricket St Thomas has been put up for sale... and more

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal two-vehicle crash on the A358 near Ilminster. The collision happened between the Southfields roundabout and the turn-off to Ashill at around 10 o’clock last Sunday morning. The driver of a van died at the scene. Officers are asking anyone who may have dashcam footage of traffic on the A358 around the time of the accident to contact them on the non-emergency number 101.

A man from Norton-sub-Hamdon has appeared in court charged with drink driving. Magistrates in Yeovil heard that 50-year-old Simon Orchard, of Great Street, was more than three-and-a-half times the legal alcohol limit when his car collided with stationary traffic on the A37 at Shepton Mallet. Orchard pleaded guilty and was handed a suspended prison sentence along with a 30-month driving ban.

Somerset Council is calling on the owners of a derelict former cinema in Bridgwater town centre to make the building safe. A formal notice attached to the property warns that rotten decking and joists in the canopy above a public walkway are likely to pose a danger to the public. The council says it’s awaiting a response from the owners and may take legal action to ensure repairs are carried out.

An original Mr Blobby costume from the former Blobbyland theme park at Cricket St Thomas near Chard is set to go under the hammer later this month. Described as a piece of pure British comedy history, the outfit is believed to be one of only three surviving original costumes and is expected to sell for between three and five thousand pounds at the British Comedy and Memorabilia Auction on June 29th.

At Holyrood Academy in Chard, science technician Belinda Burton has retired after 33 years at the school. Staff have paid tribute to her dedication, saying she brought science lessons to life and will be difficult to replace.

And in local football, Yeovil Town have completed the signing of defender Hayden Muller ahead of the new season. The 24-year-old joins the Glovers on a two-year deal from Sutton United, where he made 61 appearances. His arrival follows recent additions Johl Powell from Walton and Hersham and striker Stephen Walker from Scarborough as Yeovil continue to strengthen their squad.

More from News

Friday 31st July

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service says July has been its busiest month ever for emergency calls. Police have recovered a 1970s Austin Mini pick-up stolen in Shepton Mallet. A specialist spinal injuries service at Yeovil Hospital has treated three hundred patients in its first year... and more
Thursday 30th July

The Environment Agency has declared a drought across Somerset as the hot weather takes its toll on the county's water supplies. Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic accident near Crewkerne. A bowls player from Yeovil has won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow...and more
Wednesday 29th July

Police have arrested two suspects in connection with a series of moped thefts in Chard. A combine harvester has been destroyed in a farm fire at Forton, near Chard. A bowls player from Yeovil has won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow... and more
Tuesday 28th July

The former Beales department store in Yeovil could be brought back into use as part of a wider masterplan for the future of the town. A yellow heat health alert is in place across Somerset from nine o’clock this morning until nine o’clock on Friday morning. A Somerset farmer says this year is the driest on his land since 1976... and more
Monday 27th July

Gooch and Housego, based in Ilminster and one of the town’s biggest employers, has been sold in a multi-million-pound deal to an American private equity firm. A father who shook his four-week-old baby to death at a house in Chard has been sentenced to life in prison. A doctor who works for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is one of five people to have jointly set a new world record for rowing around Great Britain... and more
Friday 24th July

Avon and Somerset Police are warning people to watch out for scammers posing as Amazon. The CEO of the company that provides Somerset's recycling is warning of a major incident if people continue to put used batteries in waste bins. A former Yeovil pub could be demolished to make way for a major hotel expansion.
Thursday 23rd July

The West Country is officially one step closer to being declared in drought. Somerset Council says it's remodelling its service after a children's home was closed following an inspection. A new McDonald's planned off the M5 at Bridgwater could create up to 120 local jobs... and more
Wednesday 22nd July

Two men have been jailed for stealing electrical items and cash from a property in Yeovil. Somerset Council has defended its use of Yeovil’s new performance area in The Triangle, in Lower Middle Street. Tintinhull Primary School, near Yeovil, has won a top national award for outdoor play... and more