Wednesday 23rd October

Wednesday, 23 October 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A hoard of Norman coins, valued at £4.3 million, has been found in Somerset. A man has appeared in court after carrying out 24 separate shoplifting offences at a Chard supermarket. Two Somerset councils are considering a merger to save money. £3 million was spent by TV companies making films in Somerset last year...and more.

A hoard of Norman coins found in Somerset, dating back to the Norman Conquest, is to go on display at the British Museum followed by a tour of UK museums. The coins, found using metal detectors by seven finders in the Chew Valley in 2019 were later bought by South West Heritage Trust for £4.3 million, following a public appeal.

A man has appeared in court after carrying out 24 separate shoplifting offences at a Chard supermarket. Magistrates were told that Bradley Watson, aged 32, of no fixed address, stole the items valued at £4,250.00 from Sainsbury's to pay for drugs. Watson, who is also charged with breaking into Chard Rugby Club, will return to court on November 4th for sentencing.

£3 million was spent by film and TV companies making films in Somerset last year. Street and Shepton Mallet were two locations used for filming, including making Jilly Cooper’s blockbuster ‘Rivals’, currently showing on Disney Plus. Somerset Council says spending by film and TV companies supports jobs in the hotel and hospitality sector and, in the longer term, helps to boost tourism when Somerset is shown on screens.

Two Somerset councils are considering a merger to save money. If agreed, Langport Town Council and adjoining Huish Episcopi Parish Council will convert to one council. The proposal is out for consultation and those wanting to comment should contact Langport Town Council or Huish Episcopi Parish Council.

Horton Cross Nursing Home has been given a rating of "requires improvement" by the Care Quality Commission. In their report, the CQC rate the home "good" for being safe, caring, and responsive, but for being effective and well-led say improvements are required. Residents told inspectors they were "happy" at the home, while staff said they had confidence in the new management and were hopeful they would make the improvements needed.

Somerset Council is asking the public to name two new gritter lorries bought to help keep the County’s roads open this winter. Names suggested in an online poll include; Gritty Gritty Bang Bang, Spready Mercury, and Elsa. If you think you can do better, go to Somerset Council's website and enter your suggested name. Voting closes at 5 pm on Friday, October 25th.

More from News

Friday 13th March

The first of the new medium lift helicopters being built by Leonardo in Yeovil for the RAF will be delivered in 2031. Somerset Council has launched a public consultation on planned new charges at its two hundred public car parks. More women in Somerset are said to be taking up walking football... and more
Thursday 12th March

A Yeovil headteacher says he’s concerned about plans to stop giving school holiday food vouchers to families on low incomes. The owner of Yeovil Town is calling on fans to be patient as he continues his overhaul of the National League side. A high voltage fault is being blamed for plunging 1700 homes into darkness in the Ilminster area... and more
Wednesday 11th March

Plans have been submitted to convert two properties in Yeovil into houses of multiple occupation. A new court date has been announced for a Yeovil man charged with attempted murder. An engineer who has worked at the Leonardo factory in Yeovil for 40-years has won a top industry award... and more
Tuesday 10th March

Police say a fire at the former Oscar Mayer food factory in Chard was started deliberately. Yeovil College says it would have been adversely affected had Leonardo not won the contract to build new medium-lift helicopters. A seven-foot dragon will be visiting towns and villages in our area during the next few weeks to promote Somerset Day... and more
Monday 9th March

Two Wildcat helicopters from 815 Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton have arrived in Cyprus to help protect RAF Akrotiri from further Iranian drone strikes. New figures show that 40 people were killed on Avon and Somerset’s roads in the last 12-months. A Somerset man has been recalling the day 60-years ago when he was a passenger on the last train on the Somerset and Dorset Railway... and more
Friday 6th March

Defence Minister Luke Pollard has been explaining why it took the government so long to confirm a contract for the Leonardo in Yeovil to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. Police are investigating a break in at a pet shop in Ilminster. Somerset Council is to stop using red ink on council tax reminder letters... and more
Thursday 5th March

Two military helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton are being sent to Cyprus to help bolster UK’s defences amid the US-Israel war with Iran. Yeovil Town Council is seeking legal advice over the closure of the hyper acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. Flood warnings have been lifted on the Somerset Levels... and more
Wednesday 4th March

A man has died in a fire in Wincanton. Somerset Council is planning further cuts of twenty-one million pounds to help balance its books. A campaign to raise £30,000 for a minibus has been launched in Chard... and more