Tuesday 28th January

Tuesday, 28 January 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Work continues to clean up from the floods in Chard, Ilminster, Somerton, South Petherton, and parts of Yeovil. A man who threatened to kill a support worker at the mental health unit in Yeovil has been sentenced to a community order. A competition that gives new musicians the chance to play at this year's Glastonbury festival has opened for entries...and more

Work continues to clean up from the floods in Chard, Ilminster, Somerton, South Petherton, and parts of Yeovil. The major incident, declared by Somerset Council, remains in force this morning to ensure a multi-agency approach to the emergency. 12 flood warnings for Somerset, including along the catchments of the Rivers Isle, Parrett and Brue, issued by the Environment Agency also remain in force. Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, is asking for people’s experiences of dealing with floods, as part of his campaign to get more money invested by the central government in flood prevention.

A man who threatened to kill a support worker at the mental health unit where he lived in Yeovil has been sentenced to a community order. Matthew Hunniset, aged 23, of Bladen Valley, Briantspuddle, in Dorset, pleaded guilty to assaulting Hannah Martin and using or threatening unlawful violence towards her. After receiving a pre-sentence report from the Probation Service, magistrates in Yeovil told Hunniset they had come close to sending him to prison. Instead, they sentenced him to a 12-month community order, with 30 rehabilitation activity days, and a 120-day tagged alcohol treatment order. He was also ordered to pay the victim £250 compensation.

A former 40 Commando and triple amputee from Somerset is waiting for a new world record to be verified by the Guinness Book of World Records. At the weekend, Mark Ormrod became the first person to pull a two-and-a-half-ton truck more than 100 metres.

Somerset Sight is looking for volunteers to support blind and partially sighted people in Yeovil. The roles involve visiting people at home for companionship, helping with their correspondence, and accompanying them on shared outings. Details of how to apply as a volunteer can be found on the Somerset Sight website.

The first of a series of face-to-face dementia clinics takes place in Yeovil today. The sessions, hosted by Dementia UK's Admiral Nurses, offer practical and emotional support for dementia patients. The clinics are taking place at the Yeovil branch of Nationwide in Middle Street over the next 3-days, starting from today.

A competition that gives new musicians the chance to play at this year's Glastonbury festival has opened for entries. The winners of the Emerging Talent Competition will play one of the main stages and be awarded a five thousand pound Talent Development prize. The closing date to apply is February 3rd.

More from News

Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more