Friday 3rd May

Friday, 3 May 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Labour’s Clare Moody is the new Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset. Somerset Council is looking to buy the Glovers Walk Shopping Centre in Yeovil, including Yeovil Bus Station. One of the biggest events in Yeovil’s outdoor calendar, the Abbey Hill Steam Rally, starts today...and more.

Labour’s Clare Moody is the new Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset. She won yesterday’s PCC election with 95,982 votes beating the Conservative Mark Shelford into second place on 91,006 votes. Katy Grant for the Greens was third on 64,623 votes. Benet Allen for the Liberal Democrats came fourth on 45,864. Turnout was 23.09%, compared to 30.7% in 2021. The Police and Crime Commissioner is responsible for producing a police and crime plan, deciding how the police budget is spent and holding the Chief Constable and the Avon and Somerset force to account on the public’s behalf.

It's been revealed that Somerset Council is looking to buy the Glovers Walk Shopping Centre in Yeovil, including Yeovil Bus Station. The site is currently advertised for sale with a price tag of £1.75 million. In a report, portfolio holder for economic development at Somerset Council, Ros Wyke said they were seeking to reallocate £5m of government funding to redevelop three key sites in Yeovil town centre, one of which is thought to be Glovers Walk. Should they buy Glovers Walk, it’s thought the Council will demolish the empty shops for a mix of retail and residential to be built on the site.

More than three and half thousand trees have been planted around Ilminster by Green Ilminster. The volunteer-led environmental group formed only two years ago with the aim of increasing the tree cover in Ilminster, has just completed its latest planting project at Eames Mill.

The annual meeting of Chard Town Council will be held on Tuesday, May 28th at 7 pm in the Guildhall. At the meeting, the Mayor, Councillor Garry Shortland will present the Council’s Annual Report, with local council taxpayers given the opportunity to ask questions of the Council about how the town is being run.

Great Western Railway who run trains through Castle Cary have named a train after The Princess Royal. It's in recognition of her support for more than 300 charities, organisations and military regiments across the UK including ones in Somerset.

One of the biggest events in Yeovil’s outdoor calendar starts today. The Abbey Hill Steam Rally at Yeovil Showground off Dorchester Road is on for four days including Bank Holiday Monday.

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Tuesday 20th January

Citizens Advice says thousands of people in Somerset have lost some or all of their council tax discount. The UK's first autonomous full-size helicopter, manufactured by Leonardo in Yeovil, has successfully completed its maiden flight. A new pharmacy has opened in Wincanton...and more
Monday 19th January

The government is facing increasing pressure to clarify whether it will order new medium-lift helicopters from Leonardo in Yeovil. Somerset Council is spending £5 million on new laptops. A new singing group is being set up in Yeovil for people living with dementia...and more
Friday 16th January

The go-ahead has been given to build 200 new homes at Ilchester. Taunton Town Council is increasing its share of the Council Tax by 3 per cent a year. Somerset is featured in a new Agatha Christie drama being shown on Netflix from this week...and more
Thursday 15th January

The company behind a proposed tidal lagoon between Watchet and Minehead says it could create up to eight thousand jobs. A third councillor on Somerset Council has joined Reform UK. St Margaret's Hospice says this year’s Christmas tree collection scheme raised forty-seven thousand pounds...and more.
Wednesday 14th January

The union representing workers at Leonardo in Yeovil says it needs a clear answer from the government on whether the Yeovil factory will be awarded a contract to build new medium-lift helicopters for the RAF. Somerset Council says more support will be provided to foster carers. A bird flu surveillance zone remains in place over the Somerset Levels...and more
Tuesday 13th January

The Government says it won’t bring forward a decision on buying new helicopters from Leonardo in Yeovil. A bird flu surveillance zone remains in place over the Somerset Levels. Yeovil’s temporary police station on Horsey Lane is to close at the end of the month....and more
Monday 12th January

Leonardo is threatening to shut its Yeovil factory. Somerset Community Foundation says there's still time to donate money to its Surviving Winter Appeal. The Swan Theatre in Yeovil is staging a number of special performances to mark its 50th anniversary...and more.
Friday 9th January

A Yeovil man has been arrested and then de-arrested after a collision in Dorset. A Somerset food manufacturer could be expanding its Wincanton base. A new dementia-friendly choir has been launched in Yeovil...and more.