Tuesday 23rd April

Tuesday, 23 April 2024 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Two teenage boys have admitted animal cruelty after filming themselves throwing a lamb down a stone staircase at Montacute. Somerset Council could lose around £5 million by selling the Marks and Spencer building in Yeovil. Chard, Wincanton, Castle Cary and Ansford are on a list of fifteen places in Somerset where new 20 mph speed limits could soon be introduced...and more.

Two teenage boys have admitted animal cruelty after filming themselves throwing a lamb down a stone staircase at Montacute, near Yeovil. In a video posted on social media, the lamb is seen tumbling down the steps of a spiral staircase inside St Michael's Hill Tower. In another video, they are seen throwing a lamb over a stone wall. The boys, who can’t be named for legal reasons, were each given a nine-month referral order after admitting animal cruelty, in a case brought by the RSPCA.

Somerset Council looks set to lose around £5 million on the sale of the Marks and Spencer building in Yeovil. The property at the top of Middle Street was transferred into the ownership of Somerset Council under local reorganisation in 2023 after the former South Somerset District Council bought it for £7.7 million as an investment. The building is currently advertised for sale at £2.8 million. Somerset Council says it has to sell most of the investment properties bought by former district councils to pay towards the running costs of providing statutory services like adult social care.

Chard, Wincanton, Castle Cary and Ansford are on a list of fifteen places in Somerset where new 20 mph speed limits could soon be introduced. It follows safety concerns expressed by local residents and Somerset Council offering to implement the lower limits if they are in line with Department for Transport criteria.

A Crewkerne man has been presented with an Honoured Citizens Award for long service with the Scouts. Crewkerne Town Council made the award to Dave Lumbard for the forty years he’s spent as Leader of First Crewkerne Scouts. Local resident, Annette Roffey, was also presented with an Honoured Citizen Award for her community work in Crewkerne.

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Wells Cathedral says it's having to get creative to bring in more money as financial pressures continue to grow. A convenience store in Martock has been allowed to keep its alcohol licence despite an employee working there illegally. Police have seized an illegally ridden e-scooter in Yeovil in response to concerns from local residents... and more
Thursday 29th October

A Yeovil man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for attacking his mother with a knife. People in Chard are being reminded that it’s unlawful to attach flags to lamp posts and street furniture. Wincanton Racecourse has called off its 'Badger Chase Day' because the ground is too firm... and more
Wednesday 28th October

Leweston School near Sherborne has announced that it is closing with immediate effect. NHS Somerset could merge with neighbours in Bath and North-East Somerset and Dorset to cut costs. Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant has launched a campaign to get more people nominated for national honours... and more
Tuesday 27th October

Work has started building a new six-million-pound flood defence scheme in Taunton. Plans have been submitted to build a new church hall in Martock. People are being asked to donate gifts to this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal... and more
Monday 26th October

Eligible groups in Somerset are being encouraged to get their flu jabs. There’s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside Avon & Somerset Police’s control room. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, has visited Yeovil... and more.
Friday 23rd October

Somerset is the 11th most challenging place in England to be a child according to a report. Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire could have its own elected ‘Wessex Mayor’ by 2028. Cricketer, Ian Botham returns to the county this weekend... and more.
Thursday 22nd October

The NFU says that testing for the virus Bluetongue needs to be sped up. Construction of new flats on Yeovil’s Grimsby Corner site will officially begin next year. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind tomorrow... and more.
Wednesday 21st October

The owner of campsite in Somerset says a two-thousand-seven-hundred percent increase in business rates will be 'catastrophic' for his business. Plans to build nearly 300 new homes on the outskirts of Chard have been given the go ahead. Yeovil Town are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Leatherhead 5-2 at Huish Park last night... and more