Local News Thursday 12th May

    A two-mile section of the A303 through South Somerset will close for three days from tomorrow. Police are warning motorists in Crewkerne they could be fined for stopping in ‘yellow box junctions’ when turning. Ilminster's Repair Shop is due to re-open tomorrow after closing temporarily due to volunteers becoming overwhelmed with items in for repair. Events held at the Octagon Theatre and the Westlands Entertainment Venue in Yeovil for Ukraine have raised more than eight-and-a-half thousand pounds...and more.

    A two-mile section of the A303 through South Somerset will close for three days from tomorrow (Friday 13-05). It’s to allow for a temporary bridge to be installed over the carriageway at Steart Hill near the Sparkford roundabout. The bridge is for the use of construction vehicles dualling the A303 between Sparkford and Podimore. The road will shut at 10 pm tomorrow evening and motorists will be diverted along the A359 and A37. The road is due to re-open at 5 am on Monday morning.

    Police are warning motorists in Crewkerne they could be fined for stopping in ‘yellow box junctions’ when turning. It follows reports that drivers regularly stop in the ‘yellow box’ in South Street, which the police say is a breach of the Highway Code. 

    Ilminster's Repair Shop is due to re-open tomorrow after closing temporarily due to volunteers becoming overwhelmed with items in for repair. Since opening in February, The Repair Shop in Silver Street says it’s been inundated with requests from the public to help.

    Events held at the Octagon Theatre and the Westlands Entertainment Venue in Yeovil for Ukraine have raised more than eight-and-a-half thousand pounds. ‘Concert for Ukraine’ was held at the Octagon on Friday 1st April and Rock for Ukraine at Westlands on Friday 22nd April with proceeds going to School in a Bag’s Ukraine Crisis Appeal and the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. 

    Drones are being used to help clamp down on illegal fishing in Somerset. Fisheries officers have been working with Police and the Environment Agency to spot those using illegal nets, or fishing out of season. Anyone fishing illegally could face a fine of up to £2,500.

    The Cotley Inn at Wambrook near Chard has been shortlisted as a finalist for the Visit England Awards for Excellence 2022. The pub's owners, Maddie and Ben, now have to wait until the national awards ceremony in Birmingham on June 8th to find out if they’ve won gold, silver or bronze.

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    • Friday 17th January

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    • Thursday 16th January

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    • Wednesday 15th January

      A Yeovil man has been arrested on suspicion of engaging in sexual communication with a child. A Community Fridge in Shepton Mallet says it saved ten tonnes of unwanted food from going to landfill in the run-up to Christmas. Somerset Council has started collecting empty toothpaste tubes for recycling at the kerbside for the first time...and more

    • Tuesday 14th January

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    • Monday 13th January

      Plans to build forty-six new homes in Castle Cary have been rejected for a third time. Yeovil MP Adam Dance says he has no plans to step down from his dual role as a member of Somerset Council. Rug Ratz in Yeovil is closing permanently today, leaving the town without a children's soft play space...and more.

    • Friday 10th January

      Yeovil Hospital has declared a critical incident due to a sharp rise in flu admissions putting pressure on bed spaces. Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, joined campaigners and colleagues in Downing Street this week to hand in a petition calling for action to tackle the shortage of NHS dentists. Yeovil's Marlie Packer has been replaced as England's Red Roses captain for 2025 season... and more

    • Thursday 9th January 

      Police say three children, missing from their home in Essex, have been found safe and well in Wincanton. Yeovil Hospital is asking visitors to A&E to wear facemasks to help avoid the spread of infection. Long traffic queues can be expected in Chard over the next nine months. A new arts and music performance space has opened in Crewkerne...and more.

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

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      High: 7°C | Low: 3°C

    • Chard

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    • Crewkerne

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      High: 7°C | Low: 3°C

    • Somerton

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    • Wincanton

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      High: 7°C | Low: 3°C

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