Wednesday 10th April

Wednesday, 10 April 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A former sub-postmaster from Wincanton says she's having to work a 70-hour week to pay off debts she incurred due to the Post Office IT scandal. Two people have been fined for illegal fishing in Yeovil. Images of wildlife taken by a photographer in Somerton have been chosen to feature on a new set of charity cards...and more.

A former sub-postmaster from Wincanton has described Alan Bates as a hero for the evidence that he gave at the public enquiry into the Post Office IT scandal. Tracey Merritt was prosecuted over alleged losses at her post office but had the charges later dropped. She’s still waiting to hear if she will be paid compensation. Tracey says when the Post Office terminated her employment, she was left with huge debts that she’s now having to work a 70-hour week to pay them off.

Two people have been fined for illegal fishing while on a visit to Yeovil. Appearing before magistrates in Swindon, Mark Varney, from Coventry was found fishing without a licence at Pavyotts Mill Lakes off the Dorchester Road and was ordered to pay £360 in fines. At the same hearing, Magdalena Maslak from Nuneaton was also found fishing without a licence at the same location and was ordered to pay fines of £255. The cases were brought by the Environment Agency who say illegal fishing undermines their efforts to protect fish stocks.

It’s expected that work upgrading gas pipes on the A37 Dorchester Road in Yeovil will be completed by the end of the month. Wales and West Utilities say they’re on target to remove the two-way traffic lights on the A37 off the Quick Silver Mail roundabout and also lift the road closure on East Coker Road by the scheduled date of Sunday, April 28th.

A photographer in Somerton has had his images chosen to feature on a set of new charity cards. Six photos taken by Ben Pulletz appear on the greeting cards being sold by the Co-op to raise money for the RSPB. Ben says being recognised by the Co-op has made all the hours he’s spent building his career seem worthwhile.

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