Tuesday 1st April

Tuesday, 1 April 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Police are investigating the cause of a suspicious fire at the former Oscar Mayer site in Chard. Yeovil Town owner, Martin Hellier, has stepped down as club chairman. According to the website, Property Solvers, Martock has the slowest housing market in Somerset. A new Head Teacher has been appointed to run Sexeys School in Bruton...and more

Police are investigating the cause of a fire at the former Oscar Mayer site in Chard. On Sunday afternoon, smoke was spotted coming from one of the buildings. The fire service says they’re treating the blaze as suspicious, and the Police are investigating.

Somerset Council is setting up special educational needs units in 15 schools. The Council says creating the SEND places in mainstream schools could save £ 17 million over five years.

Martin Hellier, the owner of Yeovil Town, has stepped down as the club chairman. The move comes just days after Mr Hellier announced he was selling the club. He will remain as a director, but his son Jack Hellier has resigned his directorship. Stuart Robins, a director since May 2022, will act as Chairman until a buyer for the club is found.

The MP for Somerton and Glastonbury, Sarah Dyke, has criticized the Chancellor Rachel Reeves for not addressing the issue of the family farm tax in her Spring Statement last week. Speaking in the Commons, Ms Dyke said the Labour government was out of touch with the needs of rural communities, and claimed more farmers will leave the sector.

According to the website, Property Solvers, Martock has the slowest housing market in Somerset. It says selling a house in Martock took on average 160 days in the year March 2024 to February this year. The fastest housing market in Somerset was Somerton, where properties took just 121 days to sell.

A new Head Teacher has been appointed to run Sexeys School in Bruton. He’s Steve Clayson takes over in charge of the state-run boarding and day school following 17 years working in senior leadership roles in secondary and sixth form education.

The NHS in Somerset says it is now taking bookings for its spring Covid booster rollout. Appointments will be available from today, with more than 100-thousand people invited to come forward and get the vaccine. The booster is available to anyone over 75, care home residents, and those with a weakened immune system.

More from News

Friday 12th December

The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.
Thursday 11th December

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Wednesday 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 9th December

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Monday 8th December

Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Friday 5th December

Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
Thursday 4th December

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Wednesday 3rd December

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,