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.

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Tuesday 16th June

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Monday 15th June

People in Somerset are being asked to take part in a new survey about alcohol use. Yeovil's MP Adam Dance will lead a debate in Parliament today on NHS dentistry. A Yeovil runner has been selected to represent England at a national endurance championship... and more
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.