Local News Wednesday 16th August

Wednesday, 16 August 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Two people have been charged in connection with a burglary at a school in Yeovil. Somerset Council's facing a legal challenge over plans to build new houses in Chilthorne Domer. The Somerset charity Re-Engage is appealing for volunteers. A Somerset winemaker says 2023 could be a vintage year for local producers...and more.

Two people have been charged in connection with a burglary at a school in Yeovil. Tyler Singer, aged 21, of Shepton Mallet, faces a charge of non-dwelling burglary, taking a vehicle without the owner's consent and driving without insurance. Grace Brownhill, aged 18, also from Shepton Mallet, faces a charge of non-dwelling burglary and being a passenger in a stolen vehicle. The charges relate to a break-in at Westfield Academy School in Yeovil on Sunday, June 11th.

Somerset Council is facing a legal challenge over a delay in deciding a planning application. Developers, Land Allocation Ltd applied to build seventy-three new homes in Chilthorne Domer in August 2020 but neither South Somerset District Council nor its successor Somerset Council has yet made a decision on the application. Land Allocation Ltd has lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate on the grounds of non-determination, meaning Somerset Council has failed to come to a decision in a reasonable period.

A Somerset teacher says schools should be encouraging more pupils to take up music. Data shows a twelve per cent decline in the take up of music in schools last year. The appeal comes from Nicola Thompson, a Senior Teacher at Somerset Music, which is part of Somerset Council's Support Services for Education.

The Somerset charity Re-Engage is appealing for volunteers to become phone companions for older people. According to Office of National Statistics data, there are around twenty-five thousand people aged sixty and over living alone in Somerset, desperate for companionship.

Somerset winemakers say it could be an exceptional year for grapes with production at record levels. Guy Smith from the Smith and Evans Vineyard near Langport says the mixed summer weather has not affected his crops but is hoping for a dry September.

Green Flags have been awarded to three council-run open spaces in South Somerset. The scheme gives green flag status to public spaces with high environmental standards. In the latest round of awards, Green Flags were given to Yeovil Country Park, Ham Hill Country Park, and Chard Reservoir Nature Reserve.

More from News

Friday 24th October

New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more
Thursday 23rd October

Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more
Wednesday 22nd October

A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more .
Tuesday 21st October

Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid out compensation of £23 million for claims related to birth injuries. A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre...and more
Monday 20th October

Somerton and Glastonbury MP, Sarah Dyke, says the government needs to get an urgent grip on the worsening dentistry situation in her constituency. Bridgwater Town Council has criticised plans by the Somerset Council to charge for Sunday parking. Somerset Council’s Libraries service has launched its Winter Coat Exchange scheme for a third year...and more
Friday 17th October

A new £7 million primary school and nursery is to be built in the grounds of Holyrood Academy in Chard. A public consultation has opened into plans to merge the parishes of Ansford and Castle Cary. The nomination papers that paved the way for Margaret Thatcher to become Britain's first female Prime Minister have been uncovered in a Somerset garage...and more
Thursday 16th October

Two mothers in Chard are calling on carnival organisers to make carnivals more accessible to children with special educational needs. 4,000 people have been put on a waiting list at a new NHS dental practice in Somerset. Channel 4’s ‘Love It or List It’ is looking to feature properties in Somerset in a new series... and more
Wednesday 15th October

The maternity unit at Yeovil Hospital is to reopen within the next six months. There’s been a further delay to reopening Yeovil’s Octagon theatre. No CrossCountry trains will run through Somerset this weekend due to planned industrial action by the RMT union...and more.