Local News Tuesday 16th May

Tuesday, 16 May 2023 07:00

By Steve Haigh

The new owner of Yeovil Town, Martin Hellier, says his purchase of the club includes the right to buy back Huish Park and the surrounding land from Somerset Council. A new five million pound operating theatre has opened at Yeovil Hospital. Plans have been submitted to convert the former village shop in East Coker into a house....and more.

The new owner of Yeovil Town, Martin Hellier, has been speaking about his plans to return The Glovers to winning ways. He’s confirmed that manager, Mark Cooper will remain in post with the task of getting Yeovil back into the National League. Mr Hellier also comfirmed that his purchase includes the right to buy back Huish Park and the surrounding land that is currently in the ownership of Somerset Council.

April saw another increase in business performance in the South West including here in Somerset. According to the NatWest Business Activity Index, the combined output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors rose from 50.6 percent in March to 52.9 percent in April. It was the third successive monthly expansion in output since the start of the year.

Yeovil Hospital says a new five million pound operating theatre that opened this week is helping to reduce waiting times. The new facility is being used to perform procedures that include breast surgery and dermatology, where patients are allowed home on the same day they have their operations.

GWR, who run trains through Castle Cary and Bruton stations, are to ban E-scooters from their trains, amid concerns they pose a fire risk. Up until now, passengers have been allowed to take E-scooters onto trains, provided they are folded and put on the floor. The ban, that will take affect from Sunday May 21st follows incidents in which lithium batteries that power E-scooters overheated, leading to a risk of fire.

This week marks national ‘Water Saving Week’ with local supplier, Wessex Water, asking people to be sparing using water in the home and garden. Wessex Water says only if more people adopt water saving measures like using a water butt to collect rainwater can they be confident of keeping everyone fully supplied this summer.

Plans have been submitted for a change of use on the former village shop in East Coker. The owners want to combine the premises with their house – Hollyhock Cottage – which is next door. The village shop in East Coker, that at one time included a Post Office, closed in 2015.

More from News

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