Tuesday 3rd October

Tuesday, 3 October 2023 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Yeovil Town Council meets tonight to vote on giving financial support to the £29 million project to upgrade the Octagon Theatre. Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was punched in the face in Chard. Yeovil Library is taking part in Libraries Week on the theme of ‘Green Libraries’ encouraging communities to become more sustainable...and more.

Yeovil Town Council meets tonight to consider giving financial support to upgrade Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre. The project costing £29M would see the Octagon virtually rebuilt with three hundred extra seats, a bigger stage, two boutique cinemas and a new restaurant. It has been put at risk due to increased building costs and higher interest rates. At tonight’s meeting, starting at 7 pm in the Town House and which is open to the public, councillors will hear arguments for and against, before voting to commit Yeovil Town Council to financially support the project. Separately, the Executive at Somerset Council, which owns and manages the Octagon, meet tomorrow to make a decision about the Octagon.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was punched in the face in Chard. It happened in Boden Street on Sunday 17th September between 1 and 2 am when a car stopped, a man got out and attacked the man who was walking on the footpath with his wife. The attacker is described as white, in his early 20’s with dark, wavy hair. Anyone with information is asked to call the non-emergency number 101.

Royal Mail says it is committed to restoring service levels after complaints about long delays delivering the post in Yeovil. Royal Mail is legally obliged to deliver letters six days a week and parcels five days a week. Regional Secretary of the Communication Workers Union, Kevin Beazer, says the problem is due to staff shortages at the Yeovil sorting office and wage levels that aren’t high enough to attract new staff.

NHS Somerset is warning of disruption to hospital appointments this week with junior doctors and consultants on strike for higher pay. Today, members of the Society for Radiographers have joined the stoppage for 24 hours, affecting Minor Injury Units.

Yeovil Library is taking part in Libraries Week on the theme of ‘Green Libraries’ encouraging communities to become more sustainable. The activities at Yeovil Library are based on supporting life-long learning, together with the causes of climate change.

More from News

Friday 30th October

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