Wednesday 19th February

Wednesday, 19 February 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Free parking at council-run car parks in Somerset could soon end with the introduction of Sunday and overnight charging. Pavement slabs in Yeovil town centre, damaged by a utility company a year ago, are finally being replaced. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is to use £1 million of reserves to fund its day-to-day spending from April...and more.

Free parking at council-run car parks in Somerset could soon end with the introduction of Sunday and overnight charging. The Council is creating what it calls a ‘consistent charging policy across all 200 car parks that it runs. Members of the Council’s Executive are due to discuss the issue at a meeting on February 24th.

Pavement slabs in Yeovil town centre, damaged by a utility company a year ago, are finally being replaced. The new slabs were laid near the junction of High Street and Wine Street as part of the Yeovil Refresh, however, when some were damaged tarmac was used to replace them. Somerset Council says after months of delay, the tarmac is being removed and new slabs laid, at no extra cost to the Council.

Visit Somerset says tourism businesses are relying on the half-term school holiday to help boost their income. This week is the first time since Christmas that attractions, like Cheddar Caves and Wookey Hole, have opened to the public.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is to use £1 million of reserves to fund its day-to-day spending. The service is increasing its share of the council tax by five percent from April but says it won’t be enough to pay all running costs. A meeting of the Fire Authority was told the service has reserves of £26 million with £1 million earmarked to plug a funding gap in the budget for the financial year 2025-26.

A Somerset man has successfully defended his UK Bench Press title. Ram Patten underwent major cancer surgery in September and was given a 50 per cent chance of survival. Now in recovery, he's hoping that his comeback story will inspire others.

An events company has bought Shepton Mallet Prison. The last inmates left the 17th-century jail in 2013. The Cove Group has been renting the site and using it as a tourist attraction and events space since 2017.

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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