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

    • Friday 3rd May

      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.

    • Thursday 2nd May

      Voting is taking place today to elect a new Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset. NHS Somerset says the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital will stay open until a new replacement unit is built in Dorchester. A supermarket worker has retired after spending 52 years working at the same store in Ilminster...and more.

    • Wednesday 1st May

      SUEZ, the company that collects Somerset’s waste is warning it may cease operations. Twenty thousand pounds is being spent cleaning red paint off the front of County Hall in Taunton following a series of pro-Palestinian demonstrations. An occupational therapist at Yeovil Hospital has won an award for her smart appearance at work...and more.

    • Tuesday 30th April

      Somerset Council is taking legal action to remove an arms company from one of its commercial properties. Waste collection days across Somerset are set to change next month due to two impending bank holidays. An archaeological survey has begun on the proposed site of a new skate park in Bruton... and more.

    • Monday 29th April

      Somerset’s busiest speed camera in 2023 has been revealed as the camera on the westbound carriageway of the A303 between the Podimore Roundabout and the Hazelgrove Roundabout. Bus campaigners are calling on Somerset Council to keep the public toilets open at Yeovil bus station. The funeral has taken place in Yeovil of D-Day veteran, Bill Tolley, who has died at the age of 97...and more.

    • Friday 26 April

      A man has been arrested in Castle Cary and charged with stalking, harassment and making threats to kill. The NHS in Somerset says its staff retention rate has improved over the past two years. A farmer in South Petherton is preparing to cycle 1,000 miles to raise money for charity...and more.

    • Thursday 25th April

      The NHS is offering spring COVID-19 vaccines to people in Somerset who are at increased risk of serious illness from the virus. A new way of making roads safer for children in Somerset has started this week. A Yeovil-based apprentice has been named as a winner in the JTL Regional Awards. Haselbury Mill near Crewkerne has been put up for sale...and more

    • Wednesday 24th April 

      Yeovil Town FC have sent a strongly worded letter to the Football Association asking for plans to end FA Cup replays to be dropped. A Somerset woman who's spent the last 32 years living with Hepatitis C, says better support is needed for those affected by the contaminated blood scandal. A new school of musical theatre has opened in Chard...and more.

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Medium-level cloud

      High: 15°C | Low: 4°C

    • Chard

      Low-level cloud

      High: 14°C | Low: 4°C

    • Crewkerne

      Low-level cloud

      High: 14°C | Low: 4°C

    • Somerton

      Medium-level cloud

      High: 14°C | Low: 4°C

    • Wincanton

      Light rain

      High: 14°C | Low: 4°C

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