Local News Friday 21st May

    Councillor Val Keitch

    The government has confirmed a grant of ten million pounds towards helping to smarten up Yeovil town centre. A man from London has been arrested in Yeovil in connection with the supply of class A drugs. A date has been announced for holding a public inquiry into plans to build 100 new homes in Wincanton. Somerset Wildlife Trust has launched a research project into how many insects there are locally...and more.

    The government has confirmed a grant of ten million pounds towards helping to smarten up Yeovil town centre. The money, provided through the Future High Street Fund will be spent on widening pavements, a bus gate, a water feature, a big screen TV as part of an amphitheatre in Lower Middle Street, and the pedestrianisation of the Borough. Leader of South Somerset District Council, Val Keitch, believes the works will transform the look and feel of the town centre.

    A man from London has been arrested in Yeovil in connection with the supply of class A drugs. Shadrack McKenzie-Perkins faces two counts of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and heroin, and in possession of cannabis. He’s due to stand trial at Taunton Crown Court in early June.

    A date has been announced for holding a public inquiry into plans to build 100 new homes in Wincanton. Greystoke Land Ltd wants to build the homes at Bayford Hill, but South Somerset District Council says it would damage the character of Wincanton. The inquiry is scheduled to begin on June 8th, with the proceedings expected to last four days.

    Somerset Wildlife Trust has launched a research project into how many insects there are locally. They’re asking vehicle owners to count the number of bugs that become stuck to the number plates and bonnets of vehicles. 

    A bat that was found injured on the A303 by an engineer working for Highways England - has been released back into the wild. After being treated for a broken wing at Mid-Devon Bat Rescue Centre, the female Soprano Pipistrelle is back close to the spot near Marsh on A303, from where she was rescued.

    More from News

    • Monday 21st July

      A GoFundMe page set up to support families of last week’s Exmoor bus crash, in which a 10-year-old boy died, has raised over forty thousand pounds. A local councillor is calling for the introduction of speed cameras on the A30, from Yeovil to Sherborne. A group from a school in Ilchester have hiked 26 miles across the Jurassic Coast to fundraise in memory of a school colleague...and more

    • Friday 18th July

      EDF has completed another milestone in constructing the new 'Hinkley C' nuclear power plant near Bridgwater. The Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire opens today with helicopters built in Yeovil on display. A road leading to Chard reservoir, shut two months ago for strengthening work to a dam wall, has re-opened...and more

    • Thursday 17th July

      Yeovil MP Adam Dance says he has serious concerns about plans that could see the closure of inpatient beds at Crewkerne Community Hospital. Ilminster residents are being asked to vote in a referendum on adopting a new neighbourhood plan for the town. An event in which people take part in a race against horses is returning to Somerset later this year...and more

    • Wednesday 16th July

      A children’s play area in Ilminster has been closed on safety grounds after badger setts were found on the land. Somerset Council sold off £90m of property assets last year to help fight off bankruptcy. Crewkerne Community Hospital could be turned into a neighbourhood health centre...and more.

    • Tuesday 15th July

      The fire service has blamed a discarded portable barbecue for starting a blaze at Ham Hill Country Park. A care home for people with autism and complex needs in Crewkerne has been rated 'good'. A seven-year-old Yeovil boy has set a new world record for completing the most number of consecutive sit-ups for his age group...and more

    • Monday 14th July

      Somerset Council is warning motorists against scanning QR codes at its car parks payment meters. Chard Town Council is spending £10,000 on short-term youth provision over the summer months. Former Yeovil Town player Marcus Stewart says he wants to continue raising money towards finding a cure for motor neurone disease...and more.

    • Friday 10th July

      A Yeovil woman has shared how she is still on the waiting list for a transplant, a year on. A Crewkerne community group saved two tonnes of food from landfill last month and gave it to residents in need. Yeovil Town have announced their fixture list for the 2025/26 season....and more.

    • Thursday 10th July

      The UK Health Security Agency has issued a yellow heat health alert for the South West. A former Cherry Farm in Chard has donated its netting and high-tensile wire to Somerset Aid for Ukraine. Somerset Council is moving forward with its next phase of plans for the county...and more.

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Heavy rain shower

      High: 22°C | Low: 15°C

    • Chard

      Heavy rain shower

      High: 20°C | Low: 15°C

    • Crewkerne

      Heavy rain shower

      High: 20°C | Low: 15°C

    • Somerton

      Heavy rain shower

      High: 21°C | Low: 16°C

    • Wincanton

      Heavy Rain

      High: 21°C | Low: 15°C

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