Wednesday 12th June

Wednesday, 12 June 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A Yeovil man who committed non-recent sex offences against a teenage girl has been jailed for seven years. Tourism in the South West is at its lowest point for ten years. The Devon Truck Show has been announced as the new main sponsor of Chard Carnival...and more.

A Yeovil man who committed non-recent sex offences against a teenage girl in Lincolnshire has been jailed. Simon Slade, aged 65, of Cherry Tree Drive, in Yeovil, was convicted of two serious sexual offences and one charge of indecent assault following a trial at Lincoln Crown Court. The court was told the offending had taken place in the late 1990s with Slade grooming and manipulating the teenager into sexual activity. Slade, who runs a motor racing business in Yeovil, was jailed for seven years. (story courtesy of Somerset Live),

According to an industry expert, tourism in the South West is at its lowest point in 10 years. Hospitality and attractions face continuing challenges with staffing, the cost of living and energy. Tim Jones of the South West Business Council says pub and restaurant closures have contributed to a one-billion pound drop in turnover for the sector.

Households in Bruton, Castle Cary, Buckhorn Weston, Crewkerne, Ilminster and Martock will have a one-off Saturday rubbish collection later this month. It’s part of kerbside rubbish and recycling changes that begin next Monday for 92,000 homes in the South Somerset and Mendip areas. Of these, around 17,000 will have a one-off rubbish collection but not recycling on Saturday, June 15th or Saturday, June 22nd. The extra collections will mean households will not go too long between rubbish collections as collection days change.

A new role has been created to help restore trust in Somerset’s maternity services. The new role of Maternity and Neonatal Independent Senior Advocate is designed to help women and families navigate the NHS after a traumatic birth.

The Devon Truck Show has been announced as the new main sponsor of Chard Carnival. The show held in Honiton raises funds for local charities and community groups. Chard Carnival will take place on Saturday, October 8th.

Ilminster Football Club is staging a fundraising dinner with guest speaker, Ian Holloway. The former Plymouth Argyle, Leicester City, Blackpool and Crystal Palace coach will be at The Shrubbery Hotel telling stories from his career on Friday, July 12th.

More from News

Friday 12th December

The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.
Thursday 11th December

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Wednesday 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 9th December

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Monday 8th December

Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Friday 5th December

Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
Thursday 4th December

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Wednesday 3rd December

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,