Friday 14th March

Friday, 14 March 2025 05:00

By Steve Haigh

Four Somerset businesses, including one in Yeovil, have been handed a total of £170,000 in civil penalties for employing illegal workers. National garage chain ATS Euromaster has closed its branch in Wincanton. A farmer in Wincanton is being hailed as a hero after rescuing his pigs from a burning barn...and more

Farmers in Somerset say the closure of a government-funded scheme is "another kick in the teeth". The Sustainable Farming Incentive, which pays farmers to deliver environmental benefits, was a key part of the post-Brexit payment scheme that replaced EU subsidies. The government says further applications to the scheme won’t be accepted. The National Farmers Union says it’s another example of the government 'slamming the door shut' on farmers.

Four Somerset businesses, including one in Yeovil, have been handed a total of £170,000 in civil penalties for employing illegal workers. The Mandarin Chinese Takeaway, run by Mandarin Dinner Limited, in Middle Street, Yeovil, was fined £40,000 for being a non-compliant employer. The Home Office define a non-compliant employer as one that employs a person without checking they have the correct immigration status to undertake work.

National garage chain ATS Euromaster has closed its branch in Wincanton. It’s one of 86 ATS outlets that have been shut since the start of the year. ATS Euromaster blames inflation and slow growth in the business for the closures.

Plans to build nine flats in Yeovil have been turned down. Studley Roofing Ltd had wanted to build an apartment block next to number 3 Everton Road together with a bin store, cycle store, and parking spaces. In rejecting the application, Somerset Council said the building would not integrate appropriately with its surroundings and cause harm to the character and appearance of the area.

The CEO of Visit Somerset is forecasting a better year for Somerset’s hospitality sector. John Turner thinks that world events and the cost of living will lead to more families booking holidays in the UK this summer, which should benefit Somerset.

A farmer in Wincanton is being hailed as a hero after rescuing his pigs from a burning barn. Roger Apsey's farm barn caught fire last weekend, threatening 12 piglets and their mother. The barn was destroyed but thankfully all of the animals - and Roger - got out safely.

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Monday 3rd November

Plans have been approved to convert Old Viney Bridge Mill in Crewkerne to residential use. The go-ahead has been given to decommission Hinkley Point B nuclear power plant in Somerset. We’re being asked to provide food for hedgehogs that come into our gardens this winter...and more.
Friday 31st October

There's anger in Chard about a road diversion in place alongside two sets of roadworks through the town. A motorcyclist has been injured in an accident in Bruton. £100,000 has been donated towards re-opening Shepton Mallet’s Amulet theatre...and more
Thursday 30th October

Bird flu has been detected at a nature reserve in Somerset, resulting in the closure of part of it. St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset is calling for the hospice sector to be given more central funding. The Barrington Boar in Barrington has been placed 12th in The Good Food Guide’s list of 100 best pubs in Britain...and more
Wednesday 29th October

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.
Tuesday 28th October

Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more
Monday 27th October

The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more
Friday 24th October

New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more