Tuesday 20th August

Tuesday, 20 August 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Cameras connected to artificial intelligence that catch law-breaking drivers are being introduced on Somerset's roads. Police patrols have been stepped up at Millennium Wood in Castle Cary. A Somerset man has written a book about his father's role in the Battle of Arnhem in 1944...and more.

Cameras connected to artificial intelligence that catch law-breaking drivers are being introduced on Somerset's roads. It follows trials in Devon and Cornwall in which 117 mobile phone offences and 180 seat belt offences were detected within the first 72 hours of the system being switched on. Two cameras are used to take high-speed front-facing and overhead images of vehicles with AI detecting potential offences. The images are then verified by a real person to determine whether an offence has taken place.

Police patrols have been stepped up at Millennium Wood in Castle Cary after bird boxes and a memorial bench seat were vandalised. Police are treating the incident as criminal damage and ask that anyone with information, call the non-emergency number 101.

A Somerset insect expert says while there haven't been a lot of bugs around this summer, that's likely to change. Entemologist, Dee Patel says for the time of year, the combination of rainfall and heat has meant more ants, wasps, mosquitoes and slugs are now surfacing.

Young people struggling with their mental health are being offered extra support over the summer. Somerset MIND is running an out of hours youth safe space service for 13-to-25 year olds. Vicky Pool from Somerset MIND says it's teaching young people de-escalation techniques to reduce anxiety and stress.

A Somerset man has written a book based on his father's role in the Battle of Arnhem in 1944. Frank Hughes was part of Operation Market Garden in the Glider Pilot Regiment, where he silently flew behind enemy lines. ‘Veteran’ by Tan Hughes a month ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem.

A Chard woman's planning a skydive to raise much-needed cash for the Ferne Animal Sanctuary at Wambrook. Jackie Dennis, who describes herself as a devoted animal lover, will descend the 15,000 feet from the skies over Somerset on September 20th.

Yeovil Town have a game tonight. They take on Ebbsfleet United in a National League fixture at Huish Park, kick-off at 7.45 pm.

More from News

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.
Friday 5th June

A new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne says it won’t start operating at full capacity until July due to staff shortages. Somerset Council says it has no plans to show England matches in the World Cup on the Big Screen in Yeovil town centre due to safety concerns. A Somerset family has been thanked after completing a 73-mile walk raising money for a third world charity... and more
Thursday 4th June

An investigation continues today into the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter, based at RNAS Yeovilton, in which all three aircrew were killed. Somerset Council has confirmed that a new operator will take over several leisure centres across the county. The new live-action Masters of the Universe movie, filmed in Somerset, is released this week...and more