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

Thursday 1st May

There’s been a call for the Somerset Levels to be designated a National Landscape. A Yeovil man has raised £2,000 for a new school minibus at Fairmead School in Yeovil by running the London Marathon. Exmoor Ales, which provides cask ales across the region and beyond, is closing its Somerset brewery and moving the business to Surrey...and more.
Wednesday 30th April

The long-awaited refurbishment of Yeovil police station is finally to get underway this summer. Plans have been approved to build 185 new homes off Bunford Lane in Yeovil. Police have arrested three men in Yeovil for being involved in the supply of Class A drugs. A Somerset jockey has been named Champion Conditional Jockey of 2025...and more.
Tuesday 29th April

New figures have shown that registering as a new patient with an NHS dentist in Somerset is still just as difficult as it was six months ago. The go-ahead has been given to build 160 new houses on Station Road in Castle Cary. A sailor from South Petherton has been chosen to lead a team in the round-the-world Clipper Race...and more.
Monday 28th April

Somerset Council is being criticised for taking too long to re-open Yeovil's Octagon Theatre. The Liberal Democrats have won a seat on Chard Town Council by one vote. Dates have been announced for this year’s illuminated carnival processions in South Somerset...and more.
Friday 25th April

Police are investigating the theft of a motorbike in Ilminster. Tributes have been paid to the former Yeovil Town player-manager, Cecil Irwin, who has died aged 83. Town criers from across the South West will be in Yeovil tomorrow competing for the loudest voice in the Yeovil Town Crier Competition 2025...and more
Thursday 24th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident in which a child was struck by a car in Yeovil. This week, a planning inquiry is being held into plans to turn a Somerset shopping centre into a retirement complex. A Somerset woman is planning to walk the 70-miles of Hadrian's Wall to mark her 90th birthday...and more.
Wednesday 23rd April

Tourism bosses in Somerset say they feel confident the County will have a good summer for visitors this year. A group representing care providers in Somerset is warning that some residential homes are at risk of going out of business due to rising costs. A Somerset animal charity has taken into care, three orphaned badger cubs...and more.
Tuesday 22nd April

The Care Quality Commission has given two GP practices in Yeovil a 'good' overall rating. According to insurers, AXA, thefts at commercial premises in Somerset are on the rise. Bus users in Somerset could see changes to the frequency of services when the new West of England mayor takes office. Martock is to host its first Pride event in June...and more.