Tuesday 24th October

Tuesday, 24 October 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Council says it's not going to let go of ten million pounds of government funding to upgrade Yeovil's Octagon Theatre despite the costs of the project having risen above thirty million pounds. A woman from Templecombe, whose husband was killed while on holiday in Greece has launched a GoFundMe appeal to help pay for a new round of legal costs. A set of autographs on a blank cheque by the original members of the Rolling Stones in 1963 have been put up for sale at auction in Chard...and more.

The Deputy Liberal Democrat Leader of Somerset Council, Liz Leyshon, says they are not going to let go of the opportunity to spend ten million pounds of government funding up-grading Yeovil's Octagon Theatre. Her comments follow the decision by Somerset Council to pause the planned thirty-million-pound redevelopment of the Octagon due to increased building costs and higher interest rates.

A woman from Templecombe, whose husband was killed while on holiday in Greece has launched a GoFundMe appeal to help pay for a new round of legal costs. Charlotte Jeffery is planning to return to court in Zante, where her husband Matthew was attacked by two men in 2019 and later died after one of the men found guilty of causing Mr Jeffery’s death was granted an Appeal. Mrs Jeffery, who is planning to attend the hearing, faces a legal bill of £20,000 for hiring a solicitor to represent her at the re-trial.

Avon and Somerset Police are reminding drivers that speed kills as part of a campaign to get more motorists to respect speed limits on Somerset's roads. Police say they’ve caught some drivers at night travelling over one hundred miles per hour on local roads.

This year's been a bumper harvest for grapes according to vineyards owners in Somerset. The combination of dry and wet weather throughout late spring and summer has helped provide many growers with their best year ever in terms of fruit yield.

A set of autographs by the original members of the Rolling Stones have been put up for sale at auction in Chard. The signatures from 1963 written on the back of a blank cheque include those of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts and the late Brian Jones. The auction takes place at Stuart Bull Auctions at 10, Fore Street, in Chard, on Thursday, November 16th.

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.