Wednesday 2nd July

Wednesday, 2 July 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Business owners in Chard say ongoing roadworks in Fore Street are hurting their trade. A vehicle has been destroyed in a fire at a farm at Charlton Mackrell. A new recycling scheme has been launched to support Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. Castle Carey has created a Scarecrow Festival...and more

Business owners in Chard say that ongoing roadworks in Fore Street are having a negative impact on trade. Work completing repairs to the kerbing, which started on June 9th and was due to end this Friday, has been delayed due to a design fault. The owners of Jenny’s Café and Bistro and Chard Fish and Chips are amongst the traders who say they’re losing customers. Somerset Council says it’s committed to ensuring the disruption is minimised, but can’t give a date when Fore Street will return to normal.

A vehicle has been destroyed in a fire at a farm at Charlton Mackrell. The 4x4 was in a field of crops when it burst into flames. Crews from Somerton and Martock attended and used a water jet and breathing apparatus to extinguish the blaze. No one was hurt.

Reports of animal cruelty in Somerset rose by a third last year. Figures show the RSPCA investigated 550 cases of animal cruelty in Somerset between June and August 2024. It says the cost of living has been a contributing factor.

Castle Carey has created a Scarecrow Festival as part of its entry into the Britain in Bloom competition. Penny Steiner, who has led the project, has thanked the local people for their participation.

A new recycling scheme has been launched to support Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. The charity has partnered with Recycling Solutions to introduce new clothing banks across Somerset, including one located at Broadway Village Hall, near Ilminster. The aim is to raise funds for the air ambulance while keeping unwanted clothing and shoes out of landfill sites.

A painting of a red carrot by an artist called Steve has been named the overall winner of this year’s Open Exhibition at Ilminster Arts Centre. Victoria Garland’s ‘Pig Gone Wild’ and Sally Hebeler’s ‘Flight of Imagination’ were named joint runners-up. The open exhibition at Ilminster Arts Centre is on until Friday, July 18th.

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Thursday 11th December

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Wednesday 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 9th December

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Monday 8th December

Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Friday 5th December

Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
Thursday 4th December

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Wednesday 3rd December

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