Local News Monday 3rd July

Monday, 3 July 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Waste collection crews in Somerset are threatening strike action. The Mayor of Yeovil has spoken of the importance of Yeovil's ethnic minority communities to the local economy. Plans have been submitted to install solar panels on the roof of Chard Guildhall. West Country-based wheelchair tennis star Lucy Shuker says she's 'as hungry as ever for success'...and more.

Talks are due to resume this week to try and avert a planned strike by waste collection crews in Somerset. Members of the Unite Union are threatening to stop work for three days each week starting Wednesday, July 13th. A pay increase of eight per cent made by Suez UK; the contracted waste collectors for Somerset Waste Partnership, was rejected in a ballot of Unite members, in favour of industrial action. Crews are also refusing to do overtime and catch-up collections. SWP says contingency planning is underway to try and limit the impact on households and businesses should the strike go ahead.

The Mayor of Yeovil has spoken of his support for Yeovil’s ethnic minority communities. Councillor Andy Kendall, who was attending the Yeovil Together gathering held yesterday at the Westland Entertainment venue, said people from other nations living in Yeovil were essential to the local economy and to the delivery of local services.

Plans have been submitted to install solar panels on the roof of Chard Guildhall. If approved by Somerset Council, twenty-eight photo-voltaic solar panels would be fitted to the West facing roof slope at the rear of the Guildhall.

Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage to crash on the A30 near Yarcombe in which a man was killed. It happened on Saturday and involved a white Ford Fiesta. No other vehicle was involved. Police are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has dash cam footage to please call the non-emergency number 101.

Seven buildings in Somerset, including the former NatWest Bank in Crewkerne, have been put on a list of buildings in England considered to be ‘at risk’. The list’s been compiled by Save Britain’s Heritage.

West Country-based wheelchair tennis star Lucy Shuker says she's 'as hungry as ever for success' as she takes part in her thirteenth Wimbledon beginning today. The paralympic silver medalist has been given a wildcard at this year’s championships and will be competing in both the singles and doubles events. Lucy says her focus is on winning a title.

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Friday 25th April

Police are investigating the theft of a motorbike in Ilminster. Tributes have been paid to the former Yeovil Town player-manager, Cecil Irwin, who has died aged 83. Town criers from across the South West will be in Yeovil tomorrow competing for the loudest voice in the Yeovil Town Crier Competition 2025...and more
Thursday 24th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident in which a child was struck by a car in Yeovil. This week, a planning inquiry is being held into plans to turn a Somerset shopping centre into a retirement complex. A Somerset woman is planning to walk the 70-miles of Hadrian's Wall to mark her 90th birthday...and more.
Wednesday 23rd April

Tourism bosses in Somerset say they feel confident the County will have a good summer for visitors this year. A group representing care providers in Somerset is warning that some residential homes are at risk of going out of business due to rising costs. A Somerset animal charity has taken into care, three orphaned badger cubs...and more.
Tuesday 22nd April

The Care Quality Commission has given two GP practices in Yeovil a 'good' overall rating. According to insurers, AXA, thefts at commercial premises in Somerset are on the rise. Bus users in Somerset could see changes to the frequency of services when the new West of England mayor takes office. Martock is to host its first Pride event in June...and more.
Thursday 17th April

The father of a one-month-old baby boy in Chard is to stand trial for the murder of his son. New figures show that just under 1300 crimes were reported to the Police in Yeovil during the final quarter of last year. A night in a prison cell is offered at Shepton Mallet Jail to those who want to be alone this Easter...and more.
Wednesday 16th April

Big changes are being made to where taxi ranks in Yeovil are located. Farmers are being told to keep an extra lookout for people acting suspiciously following the latest livestock theft near the Devon and Somerset border. Channel 4’s Location Location Location is coming to Somerset, with anyone looking to buy a property locally invited to apply to be in the show...and more
Tuesday 15th April

A 36-year-old man remains in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of a sexual assault in Yeovil. Yeovil Labour Club has had its drinks licence revoked. NHS Somerset has been taking its physiotherapy team around the county to cut waiting times for patients. A men-only cooking course has been launched in Sherborne with all ingredients and equipment provided free of charge...and more
Monday 14th April

A new banking hub has opened in Crewkerne. South Western Ambulance is asking people to only dial 999 in a life-threatening emergency over the Easter weekend. £1.8 million is being spent improving walking and cycling routes around a major new housing development at Up Mudford in Yeovil...and more