Wednesday 25th October

    New figures have shown a significant rise in cases of theft and shoplifting in Somerset. A further one hundred and fifty thousand pounds worth of grant funding has been awarded to charities and projects in Somerset. A Yeovil-based financial expert is offering help to people who may be missing out on a full state pension due to an error in their national insurance records. Yeovil Town increased their lead to four points at the top of National League South by beating Weymouth 2-0 at Huish Park last night...and more.

    New figures have shown a significant rise in cases of theft and shoplifting in Somerset. A total of 9,763 incidents of theft were recorded by June 2023, compared to 8,911 by June the previous year. The rise represents an increase in theft cases of 9.6%. Despite this, the total number of crimes committed in Somerset was slightly down from 41,131 by June 2022 to 39,557 in June of this year. 

    A Yeovil-based financial expert is offering help to people who may be missing out on a full state pension due to an error in their national insurance records. HMRC is writing to people, who are mostly women, who took time off work to care for family between 1978 and 2010, as they may not have been credited with what's known as 'home responsibilities protection'. Stephanie Dyke of Blue Fox Wealth in Yeovil says some claimants could be entitled to a back payment of up to £5,000.

    A further one hundred and fifty thousand pounds worth of grant funding has been awarded to charities and projects in Somerset to help tackle the cost-of-living crisis this winter. In the last year, over half a million pounds has been raised by local authorities and companies through the Somerset Community Foundation. 

    A Somerset woman whose teenage daughter died suddenly in 2017 says retraining as a counsellor has helped her rediscover meaning in her life. Tanya Russell says she "fell apart" five years after seventeen-year-old Johdi suffered Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy. After completing a university course earlier this year, Tanya says it's never too late to change careers.

    The parents of a man who needed a heart transplant have fitted a defibrillator in Chard in memory of the donor who gave their son "his life back". Revd Len and Jacquie Schofield’s son, Barry, was left with diabetes and heart failure following having had Covid. In September 2022, a match was found and his heart transplant operation went ahead a few weeks later. Barry’s parents say they’re so thankful to the family of a young man for giving their son his life back and have installed the defibrillator at Bishops Court in Chard in his memory.

    Somerset Council has signed a new eight-year contract with Kier Transportation Ltd to deliver maintenance services across its road network. The £225 million agreement covers road repairs, drainage, verge cutting, and winter services, such as gritting.

    Yeovil Town increased their lead to 4 points at the top of National League South beating Weymouth 2-0 at Huish Park last night. The crowd of 6,289 was Yeovil’s biggest at home of the season so far. 

    More from News

    • Friday 12th June

      It's claimed the increasing availability of drugs such as ketamine and cocaine has normalised drug use among young people in Somerset. The trial of a man accused of killing his one-month-old son in Chard begins today at Bristol Crown Court. A stone pillar outside the Langport Arms Hotel in Langport has been replaced after it was destroyed in a car crash... and more

    • Thursday 11th June

      Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to the three aircrew from RNAS Yeovilton who died in last week's helicopter crash in Devon. Two men have been arrested and stolen vehicles seized following a major multi-agency operation in South Somerset. An event highlighting opportunities for women in the aerospace industry has been held in Yeovil... and more

    • Wednesday 10th June

      The public will be consulted on how best to spend fifty million pounds of government funding to tackle flooding in Somerset. Avon and Somerset Police are backing a new road safety campaign aimed at reducing motorcycle fatalities. New welcome signs have been installed at entrances to the Mendip Hills National Landscape... and more

    • Tuesday 9th June

      The government has announced a £50 million investment to strengthen Somerset’s flood defences. A woman from Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been banned from driving for 14 months after admitting drink-driving. Somerset Council has been told it must improve its adult social care services... and more

    • Monday 8th June

      Plans for a new railway station in Langport remain stalled in Whitehall, according to Somerset Council. Plans to build 50 new homes in Broadway, near Ilminster, have been refused. The new water fountains in Yeovil’s Triangle, in Lower Middle Street, are being switched off during very hot weather because of safety concerns... and more.

    • Friday 5th June

      A new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne says it won’t start operating at full capacity until July due to staff shortages. Somerset Council says it has no plans to show England matches in the World Cup on the Big Screen in Yeovil town centre due to safety concerns. A Somerset family has been thanked after completing a 73-mile walk raising money for a third world charity... and more

    • Thursday 4th June

      An investigation continues today into the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter, based at RNAS Yeovilton, in which all three aircrew were killed. Somerset Council has confirmed that a new operator will take over several leisure centres across the county. The new live-action Masters of the Universe movie, filmed in Somerset, is released this week...and more

    • Wednesday 3rd June

      A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with assaulting three police officers. Somerset Council has begun legal action to recover more than £320,000 owed by housing developers. The line-up has been announced for this year’s Ilminster Midsummer Experience...and more

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Light rain

      High: 22°C | Low: 13°C

    • Chard

      Light rain

      High: 21°C | Low: 13°C

    • Crewkerne

      Light rain

      High: 21°C | Low: 13°C

    • Somerton

      Light rain

      High: 24°C | Low: 13°C

    • Wincanton

      Light rain shower

      High: 23°C | Low: 13°C

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