Local News Wednesday 9th March

Wednesday, 9 March 2022 06:00

Gareth Witt of Yeovil with his van loaded with donations for Ukraine

Clothing, bedding and medical products, donated by people in Yeovil, are close to being delivered to Ukraine. Police are appealing for witnesses after a man suffered facial injuries at Lydford-on-Fosse. Changes have been made to the plans for a park area and sports ground at Brimsmore in Yeovil. Avon and Somerset Police are carrying out extra horseback patrols in Somerset to help combat rural crime...and more.

Clothing, bedding and medical products, donated by people in Yeovil, are close to being delivered to Ukraine thanks to the efforts of Yeovil businessman, Gareth Witt. Gareth, the owner of the Cow and Apple burger restaurant, in Church Path, launched an appeal for donations last Friday and set off on Sunday with a van filled with supplies for the Ukraine city of Lviv. By late yesterday, Gareth, who is an ex-Royal Marine, had completed most of the 2,000-mile journey across Europe and was within 160 miles of Lviv. So far, he’s raised £6,000 through Just Giving which he plans to use to buy a bus to transport people out of Lviv and into neighbouring Poland.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a man suffered facial injuries at Lydford-on-Fosse. The man was in his car when he was attacked by another man with a metal object. He suffered a broken nose and damage to his eye. The attack happened last Saturday at around 4.50 pm at the crossroads at Lydford-on-Fosse. If you saw what happened, or can help provide dashcam footage, please call the police non-emergency number: 101

Changes have been made to the plans for a park area and sports ground at Brimsmore in Yeovil. The plans are part of the new Brimsmore housing estate, near Thorne Lane, on which 900 homes will be built. The revised scheme, which has been submitted to South Somerset District Council for consideration, would see the open green space reduced by four acres with the addition of 38 new houses. The sports and play facilities would be moved to a flatter site. The developer says to compensate for the loss of the four acres of green space, five acres of new green space will be provided to the west of the site.

Avon and Somerset Police are carrying out extra horseback patrols in Somerset to help combat rural crime. It’s to provide a reassuring presence and a deterrent to potential criminals.

A Langport man has been jailed for six years for sexual offences committed against three boys in Yeovil in the 1980s. David Byrne was convicted of six counts of indecent assault following a trial. Byrne was previously jailed for six years in 2018 after being convicted of four counts of indecent assault.

An Ilminster boy is having his head shaved to raise money for Ukraine.11-year old, Rowan, will have his golden locks lopped off on Thursday. So far, he’s raised £600 towards his target of £1,000 for the Save the Children Ukraine Appeal.

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