A former senior employee at South Somerset District Council, dismissed from her post for gross misconduct, has dropped a legal challenge against the Council. Work has started improving electricity supplies to homes in Sherborne. Wincanton racecourse has dropped its formal dress code for all future race meetings. There's been a rise in the number of young people reporting concerns about violent or controlling relationships in Somerset.....and more.
A former senior employee at South Somerset District Council who was dismissed from her post for gross misconduct has dropped a legal challenge against the Council. Clare Pestell, formerly a Director of Commercial and Income Generation, left SSDC in late 2021 following an independent investigation that concluded she had breached the council's code of conduct by not declaring using council staff and resources at her private business. Ms Pestell denied the allegations and had been due to appear at an employment tribunal against the council in Exeter later this week.
Wincanton racecourse has dropped its formal dress code for all future meetings. The course is one of fifteen venues run by the Jockey Club to no longer insist that those attending meetings should wear certain types of clothing.
Work has started on improving electricity supplies to homes in Sherborne. Scottish and Southern Electricity is investing one-point-seven-million pounds in upgrading the Sherborne Primary Substation by replacing vital components including transformers, switchgear and circuit breakers. It says the upgrade will increase the strength of power supplies to ten thousand customers.
There's been a rise in the number of young people reporting concerns about violent or controlling relationships in Somerset. The Somerset Integrated Domestic Abuse Service Helpline took 300 calls between April last year and January of this year – over the same period in 2021 the number of calls was 128.
Yeovil Town missed out taking all three points against Maidstone United at Huish Park at the weekend after conceding a late equaliser to the visitors. The game ended a 2-all draw.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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