Wednesday 8th November

Wednesday, 8 November 2023 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

New figures suggest that 1-in-8 households in Somerset are in fuel poverty. A man has died in a house fire at Alhampton near Castle Cary. An Ilminster woman is walking across the Sahara Desert raising funds for a charity that helps people with drug addiction. People wanting to park at Castle Cary Railway Station will be able to use a new temporary car park from this week...and more.

New figures suggest that 1-in-8 households in Somerset are in fuel poverty. The Open Data Institute also found that the South West is one of the worst affected regions in the UK when it comes to households choosing between heating and eating.

A man has died in a house fire at Alhampton near Castle Cary. The man was pronounced dead at the scene following the blaze that broke out at around 8 a.m. on Monday, earlier this week.

People wanting to park at Castle Cary Railway Station will be able to use a new temporary car park from this week. Great Western Railway, who owns the site, say it's to ease parking problems locally in the run-up to Christmas but the car park will close again early in the New Year to allow for contractors to finish building it to eventually provide 200 new parking spaces.

A man has been arrested after a quantity of cannabis and £30,000 in cash was found in a property in Milborne Port. The raid was carried out after police traced the sender of a package of cannabis, discovered at Heathrow Airport, to the property address in Milborne Port.

Somerset Community Foundation has launched its annual Surviving Winter Appeal. The charity says it will be supporting around 800 older people with grants of up to £500 to help pay their fuel bills.

An Ilminster woman is currently walking across the Sahara Desert raising funds for a charity that helps people with a drug addiction. Sophi Unwin, who works at estate agents Greenslade Taylor Hunt in Ilminster, is walking a distance of 100 kilometres across the Sahara Desert, raising funds for the Nelson Trust.

Yeovil Town maintained their run of good results beating Torquay United 3-1 away at Plainmoor last night. The Glovers, who stay top of National League South, are now undefeated in 12 games.

More from News

Friday 30th October

Wells Cathedral says it's having to get creative to bring in more money as financial pressures continue to grow. A convenience store in Martock has been allowed to keep its alcohol licence despite an employee working there illegally. Police have seized an illegally ridden e-scooter in Yeovil in response to concerns from local residents... and more
Thursday 29th October

A Yeovil man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for attacking his mother with a knife. People in Chard are being reminded that it’s unlawful to attach flags to lamp posts and street furniture. Wincanton Racecourse has called off its 'Badger Chase Day' because the ground is too firm... and more
Wednesday 28th October

Leweston School near Sherborne has announced that it is closing with immediate effect. NHS Somerset could merge with neighbours in Bath and North-East Somerset and Dorset to cut costs. Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant has launched a campaign to get more people nominated for national honours... and more
Tuesday 27th October

Work has started building a new six-million-pound flood defence scheme in Taunton. Plans have been submitted to build a new church hall in Martock. People are being asked to donate gifts to this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal... and more
Monday 26th October

Eligible groups in Somerset are being encouraged to get their flu jabs. There’s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside Avon & Somerset Police’s control room. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, has visited Yeovil... and more.
Friday 23rd October

Somerset is the 11th most challenging place in England to be a child according to a report. Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire could have its own elected ‘Wessex Mayor’ by 2028. Cricketer, Ian Botham returns to the county this weekend... and more.
Thursday 22nd October

The NFU says that testing for the virus Bluetongue needs to be sped up. Construction of new flats on Yeovil’s Grimsby Corner site will officially begin next year. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind tomorrow... and more.
Wednesday 21st October

The owner of campsite in Somerset says a two-thousand-seven-hundred percent increase in business rates will be 'catastrophic' for his business. Plans to build nearly 300 new homes on the outskirts of Chard have been given the go ahead. Yeovil Town are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Leatherhead 5-2 at Huish Park last night... and more