Wednesday 15th November

Wednesday, 15 November 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A Wincanton man has been jailed for 12 years after being found guilty of rape and other offences. A family from Somerset is asking the government for better access to medicinal cannabis through the NHS. A new clothes shop has opened in Ilminster as part of a project to help young people with autism find employment...and more.

A Wincanton man has been jailed for 12 years after being found guilty of rape and other offences. Bournemouth Crown Court was told that Gary Bridger of Dancing Lane in Wincanton attacked a nurse at his mother’s home in Sherborne. She’d gone to the property to check that it was safe for his mother to return home from hospital. While inside the house, Bridger, grabbed the woman and forced her into a bedroom where he carried out the assault. The court was told that Bridger must serve a minimum of two-thirds of his 12-year sentence before being considered for release.

A family from Somerset is asking the government for better access to medicinal cannabis through the NHS. Parents, Emily and Spencer, pay thousands of pounds each year for private cannabis prescriptions for their 4-year-old daughter Clover, who suffers from epileptic seizures. The government says it needs more evidence before deciding whether it’s safe to prescribe medicinal cannabis on the NHS.

A trial using artificial intelligence is underway at four GP practices in Somerset. NHS Somerset says it’s using A1 to monitor ‘at risk’ patients so they can be supported at home to avoid being admitted to hospital.

A Chard pub has been recognised for the quality of its toilets. The Cerdic in Fore Street has been awarded a platinum rating in the Loo of the Year Awards. The awards are aimed at highlighting and improving standards of 'away from home' toilets across the UK.

A new clothes shop has opened in Ilminster as part of a project to help young people with autism find employment.‘Punky Dory’ in Silver Street sells vintage clothes and jewellery. It’s run by Silver Lining Internships, an employment placement organisation that supports young people with autism and special educational needs.

Chard boxer Paul Roberts has secured his second Southern Area Super Flyweight title. Roberts took the title defeating Martin Hillman of London with a seventh-round stoppage at York Hall in Bethnal Green. If you would like to meet Paul, he will be presenting trophies at the Chard and Crewkerne Amateur Boxing Show, at Holyrood School, in Chard, this coming Saturday.

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Wednesday 9th October

A decision on building 46 new homes at the southern edge of Castle Cary has been delayed. A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with using racially aggravated abuse towards a police officer. A teacher in Chard has been awarded a top prize at the National Special Educational Needs awards... and more.
Tuesday 8th October

A mother has pleaded not guilty to murdering her two-week-old baby son at Yeovil Hospital. A Yeovil man with two previous drink driving offences has escaped being sent to prison after refusing to take a breath test. Somerset gymnast Laura Gallagher has announced her retirement after 20 years in the sport...and more.
Monday 7th October

A new breast cancer unit opens to patients at Yeovil Hospital today. The Lib Dems have held the Summerlands seat on Yeovil Town Council in a by-election. School children in Yeovil have been helping to plant sixty thousand snowdrop bulbs at Montecute House...and more.
Friday 4th October

A care provider in Yeovil says hospital patients are being affected by the town's roadworks. A tractor has been completely destroyed, after its trailer of silage burst into flames. The carts roll into Ilminster tomorrow night, with carnival season well underway... and more.
Thursday 3rd October

A Yeovil house has been boarded up for three months due to anti-social behaviour. A Chard woman is a finalist at the Stevie Awards for Women In Business. A farm shop started by two Somerset schoolgirls has its first permanent home... and more.
Wednesday 2nd October

Only one person in Somerset has been prosecuted for fly-tipping in the last two years. A new law governing tips could make local service industry staff better off. Traffic was severely held up yesterday afternoon, after a collision on the A303... and more..
Tuesday 1st October

A fifth person has been charged as part of the Michael Wheeler murder investigation. South Petherton Community Library is helping people to find out if they're eligible for pension credit. After a week-long closure, Network Rail have reopened the Yeovil Pen Mill to Thornford stretch... and more.
Monday 30th September

Yeovil Town are mourning the passing of former-manager, Barry Lloyd. The NHS in Somerset is urging more people to become organ donors. The family of an Ilminster man, awarded the Albert Medal, are looking for a museum to house the honour... and more.