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 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.