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

    • Tuesday 15th September

      Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more

    • Monday 14th September

      Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more

    • Friday 11th September

      It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more

    • Thursday 10th September

      Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more

    • Wednesday 9th September

      Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more

    • Tuesday 8th September

      Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more

    • Monday 7th September

      Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more

    • Friday 4th September

      Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Sunny intervals

      High: 19°C | Low: 11°C

    • Chard

      Sunny intervals

      High: 21°C | Low: 10°C

    • Crewkerne

      Sunny intervals

      High: 19°C | Low: 10°C

    • Somerton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 21°C | Low: 11°C

    • Wincanton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 20°C | Low: 10°C

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