Tuesday 4th June

Tuesday, 4 June 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

More than one thousand gas canisters were found dumped at Somerset’s recycling centres in the first four months of this year. Police are appealing for witnesses to a crash on the A303 at Horton in which a motorcyclist was killed. Three pilots from Somerset are marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day by flying their own World War 2 aircraft to Normandy...and more.

More than one thousand gas canisters have been found dumped at Somerset’s recycling centres in the first four months of this year, according to Somerset's waste contractors, SUEZ. They say people are mistakenly putting canisters into recycling blue bags when they should be taking them in person to their local recycling centres. SUEZ says gas canisters and also batteries have been the cause of ten fires at recycling centres in Somerset since last October.

Police are appealing for witnesses to a crash on the A303 at Horton in which a motorcyclist was killed. A silver Ford Fiesta and a motorcycle collided at around 7 pm on Saturday. The motorcyclist died at the scene. The A303 at Horton was closed for several hours, and police now want anyone who saw what happened to please contact them on the non-emergency number 101.

Three pilots from Somerset are marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day by flying their own World War 2 aircraft to Normandy. The Auster aircraft flew from RNAS Yeovilton to France yesterday. One of the pilots, Martin Baldock, said it was important that they mark the anniversary.

A revised bus timetable affecting routes in and around Somerset has come into force this week. The changes aim to improve punctuality and increase capacity, with a new route to the Yeovilton Navy Base introduced for a trial period.

Serving and former Royal Marines from the Westcountry are kayaking across the English Channel, recreating a famous D-Day mission. It took place when a paddle group led a search of the Normandy coastline for places to land Allied troops in the days leading up to June 6th, 1944. To honour the memory of those who took part, a team of Royal Marines are re-creating the journey by sea, after which they will join in at Thursday’s 80th anniversary events.

A road in Ilminster is set to close for five days for roadworks to be carried out. Blackdown View in Ilminster will be shut to traffic from Monday, June 10th until Friday, June 14th to allow Wessex Water to repair a leaking valve.

More from News

Thursday 30th October

Bird flu has been found at a nature reserve in Somerset, closing part of it down. St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset is calling for the hospice sector to be given more central funding. The Barrington Boar in Barrington has been placed 12th in The Good Food Guide’s list of 100 best pubs in Britain... and more
Wednesday 29th October

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.
Tuesday 28th October

Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more
Monday 27th October

The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more
Friday 24th October

New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more
Thursday 23rd October

Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more
Wednesday 22nd October

A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more .
Tuesday 21st October

Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid out compensation of £23 million for claims related to birth injuries. A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre...and more