Thursday 25th July

Thursday, 25 July 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A crowdfunding appeal has been launched raising money to help find a Chard man missing for almost two weeks in Sardinia. Somerset Council is to sell off some of its buildings to help balance the books. Building work on the UK's biggest electric vehicle battery factory near Bridgwater will begin next month...and more.

A crowdfunding appeal has been launched to raise money for a Chard man missing in Sardinia. The appeal has so far raised £2,200, which will be used to pay for a group of volunteers to travel to Sardinia to help find Michael Frison. It’s now almost two weeks since Michael was last seen.

A local man is part of a group taking a bank to the High Court over excessive mortgage repayments. David Riley bought a house in Yeovil in 2006 with a mortgage from Northern Rock, which then collapsed a year later. He and thousands of others were left trapped with excessive mortgage repayments they couldn't get out of.

Avon and Somerset Police have increased checks on detainees held in custody after concerns they were at risk of self-harm. It follows a report that found detainees were sometimes left undressed in cells after having their clothing removed. Avon and Somerset Chief Constable, Sarah Crew, says more regular checks on detainees are now being made.

Members of Somerset Council have voted to sell off some of the council’s most iconic buildings to help balance the books. It's part of plans by the council to save tens of millions of pounds by cutting jobs and transferring the delivery of non-statutory services to town and parish councils.

Building work on the UK's biggest electric vehicle battery factory near Bridgwater will begin next month. Piling work on Building One will begin first and run until spring next year. Quieter work will be done at night and around two hundred lorry movements are expected every day at the peak of construction work. The global battery business, Agratas, says it'll try to mitigate the impact on local people and promises to deliver on its 'local first' commitment to jobs and skill.

A Chard mother has started a podcast for other mothers to share their stories on parenting. Annie Tombs describes herself as a stay-at-home mum to her three-year-old son Eli and previously worked in special needs education. Last year, she started a Facebook group called Mums and Munchkins that now has more than 500 members, offering advice to mothers, together with children’s items for sale, and quick and easy children’s meal recipes.

More from News

Friday 18th October

According to new government figures, Sixty-four thousand children in Somerset were not seen by an NHS dentist last year. Two by-elections will be held for seats on Somerset Council at the end of November. Supported employment schemes in Somerset say they’re seeing a good proportion of their students, who are disabled, going into paid work...and more.
Thursday 17th October

Former Yeovil Town player, Anthony Barry, has been confirmed as assistant coach to the newly appointed England Manager, Thomas Tuchel. Somerset Council is making £3.8 million available to support families in the greatest need this winter. A cash machine that was broken beyond repair during a robbery in Crewkerne is to be replaced...and more.
Wednesday 16th October

Somerset Council is asking businesses to package products using only recyclable plastic. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is calling for the NHS to be made a top priority in the upcoming Budget. A Langport woman was left in shock after finding a dead cockroach in a parcel delivered to her home containing clothing that she bought online...and more
Tuesday 15th October

A Chard motorist has had his licence endorsed with 10 penalty points for being over the drink-drive limit. Crewkerne Town Council is considering illuminating the town’s famous Lucombe tree at Henhayes to help combat antisocial behaviour. A Yeovil bakery has won a contract to supply Marks and Spencer with two Christmas products...and more.
Monday 14th October

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a fight in Chard. Nearly thirty NHS buildings in Somerset have been identified as ‘not fit for purpose’. A Somerset charity that works with vulnerable young people has been presented with a cheque for £50,000 by trainees at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil... and more.
Friday 11th Oct

Work is to start next year on re-opening Yeovil Police station. 60 jobs could be created in Crewkerne if plans for a new care home are approved. A coffee morning in Chard has raised £400 for a cancer charity... and more.
Thursday 10th October

Work demolishing the Glovers Walk Shopping Centre in Yeovil will start before the end of the month. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is calling for a ban on executive bonuses at Wessex Water. Somerset Council has issued an urgent appeal for more foster carers to come forward.. and more.
Wednesday 9th October

A decision on building 46 new homes at the southern edge of Castle Cary has been delayed. A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with using racially aggravated abuse towards a police officer. A teacher in Chard has been awarded a top prize at the National Special Educational Needs awards... and more.