Local News Wednesday 13th April

Wednesday, 13 April 2022 06:00

Police are looking for a man who helped a woman after she claimed she’d been sexually assaulted at Ham Hill Country Park, near Yeovil. A charity is asking local employers to give more consideration to employing ex-offenders on leaving prison. A former chief officer at South Somerset District Council, accused of using public money on her private business, will face no further action from police. A motorist has spoken of his surprise at seeing a council worker trying to cut the artificial grass on the Hospital Roundabout in Yeovil with a strimmer. ...and more.

Police are looking for a man who helped a woman after she claimed she’d been sexually assaulted at Ham Hill Country Park, near Yeovil. The man, called Dominic, let the woman sit in his car following the alleged incident. His vehicle, a white hatchback, was parked at a viewing point at Ham Hill at around 11.30 pm on the night of Sunday, April 3rd. If you can help the Police with their enquiries, you’re asked to call the non-emergency number 101.

The Somerset-based charity, Key4Life, has helped more than 500 ex-prisoners to find work by giving them training and emotional support. This year, the charity is celebrating its tenth year.

A former chief officer at South Somerset District Council, accused of using public money on her private business, will face no further action from police. Clare Pestel was sacked by the district council last year following an independent investigation. Avon and Somerset Police say the evidence provided did not meet the threshold for pursuing a criminal prosecution. Ms. Pestel has always denied the allegations made against her.

A motorist has spoken of his surprise at seeing a council worker trying to cut the artificial grass on the Hospital Roundabout in Yeovil with a strimmer. Nigel Castle was driving past the roundabout when he spotted the worker attempting to mow the artificial turf. South Somerset District Council says the worker has been given more training to make sure the mistake doesn't happen again.

A well-known pub in Yeovil town centre is to have a change of use. The Westminster in Westminster Street was put up for sale last year and has been bought by a "religious foundation". According to the selling agents, the new owners plan to use the building for educational and learning purposes.

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Thursday 2nd May

Voting is taking place today to elect a new Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset. NHS Somerset says the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital will stay open until a new replacement unit is built in Dorchester. A supermarket worker has retired after spending 52 years working at the same store in Ilminster...and more.
Wednesday 1st May

SUEZ, the company that collects Somerset’s waste is warning it may cease operations. Twenty thousand pounds is being spent cleaning red paint off the front of County Hall in Taunton following a series of pro-Palestinian demonstrations. An occupational therapist at Yeovil Hospital has won an award for her smart appearance at work...and more.
Tuesday 30th April

Somerset Council is taking legal action to remove an arms company from one of its commercial properties. Waste collection days across Somerset are set to change next month due to two impending bank holidays. An archaeological survey has begun on the proposed site of a new skate park in Bruton... and more.
Monday 29th April

Somerset’s busiest speed camera in 2023 has been revealed as the camera on the westbound carriageway of the A303 between the Podimore Roundabout and the Hazelgrove Roundabout. Bus campaigners are calling on Somerset Council to keep the public toilets open at Yeovil bus station. The funeral has taken place in Yeovil of D-Day veteran, Bill Tolley, who has died at the age of 97...and more.
Friday 26 April

A man has been arrested in Castle Cary and charged with stalking, harassment and making threats to kill. The NHS in Somerset says its staff retention rate has improved over the past two years. A farmer in South Petherton is preparing to cycle 1,000 miles to raise money for charity...and more.
Thursday 25th April

The NHS is offering spring COVID-19 vaccines to people in Somerset who are at increased risk of serious illness from the virus. A new way of making roads safer for children in Somerset has started this week. A Yeovil-based apprentice has been named as a winner in the JTL Regional Awards. Haselbury Mill near Crewkerne has been put up for sale...and more
Wednesday 24th April

Yeovil Town FC have sent a strongly worded letter to the Football Association asking for plans to end FA Cup replays to be dropped. A Somerset woman who's spent the last 32 years living with Hepatitis C, says better support is needed for those affected by the contaminated blood scandal. A new school of musical theatre has opened in Chard...and more.
Tuesday 23rd April

Two teenage boys have admitted animal cruelty after filming themselves throwing a lamb down a stone staircase at Montacute. Somerset Council could lose around £5 million by selling the Marks and Spencer building in Yeovil. Chard, Wincanton, Castle Cary and Ansford are on a list of fifteen places in Somerset where new 20 mph speed limits could soon be introduced...and more.