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

Wednesday 29th April

Somerset Council says Hendford Hill in Yeovil should be fully reopened to traffic by the end of May. Plans have been approved to build 40 new homes in Crewkerne. A huge pile of illegally dumped rubbish in Glastonbury has been cleared... and more
Tuesday 28th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision at Rimpton. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in South Petherton. Former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson has been retained as first-team manager of Taunton Town for next season... and more
Monday 27th April

A former school in Sherborne has been badly damaged by fire. A care home in Yeovil has been rated outstanding. ublic spaces in West Coker owned by Somerset Council are being handed over to the parish council. Mendip Golf Club has presented a cheque for £12,000 to Mind in Somerset... and more
Friday 24th April

Plans have been submitted to turn a property on Preston Road in Yeovil into a House in Multiple Occupation. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has been recalled to the England Red Roses starting line-up for tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations game against Wales. Three sisters from Yeovil will be running the London Marathon this weekend in support of Guide Dogs UK... and more
Thursday 23rd April

Helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton have completed six weeks of sorties, protecting Cyprus from attacks by Iran. People in Somerset who use domestic heating oil are calling on the government to regulate the oil supply industry. Patients are being invited to register at a new NHS dentist in Crewkerne... and more
Wednesday 22nd April

Expectant mothers are using Yeovil Hospital once again to give birth following the reopening of the maternity unit. A Yeovil man has been jailed for four years for committing sexual offences against two young girls. Plans have been approved to convert a pub in Milborne Port into housing... and more
Tuesday 21st April

NHS Somerset has delayed closing the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. A former Avon and Somerset Police officer has been jailed for making indecent images of children. A Somerset man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild animal with dogs... and more
Monday 20th April

Nearly one hundred roads in Somerset will be surface dressed this summer to prevent further damage. Almost all children starting primary school in Somerset in September have been offered a place at one of their top three school choices. People in Somerset are being asked to record wild mammals in gardens and other green spaces over the summer... and more