Monday 19th February

Monday, 19 February 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

There's an increased risk of flooding on local roads today following a weekend of heavy rain. Police have issued an urgent appeal to find a missing teenager, thought to be in South Somerset. A new public clock was officially unveiled in Ilminster town centre at the weekend...and more

The Environment Agency is warning of floods in parts of South Somerset today following a weekend of heavy rain. The River Parrett at Chiselborough is reported to be bank-full with overtopping likely, threatening the road between Norton-sub-Hambdon and Stratton. The River Yeo at Huish Episcopi is also causing concern with the road between Langport and Muchelney, and the road at Ashford Mill at Fivehead at risk of flooding.

Police have issued an urgent appeal to find a missing teenager, thought to be in South Somerset. Segun, who also goes by the name of Joshua, was last in Castle Cary. He’s described as black, 5ft 11 inches tall, with short dreadlocks and brown eyes. When last seen he was wearing a shiny black puffer jacket and carrying a red and white striped man bag. Police say he has links to Chard, Yeovil, Bruton and Castle Cary. If you see him, you’re asked to call 999.

The Electoral Reform Society says the names of up to 12,000 people in the Yeovil constituency are missing from the Electoral Register. That’s around one in eight aged over 18 people living in Yeovil who currently are not entitled to vote in elections. Now, two Somerset councillors, Adam Dance and Tom Power, have launched a campaign to encourage younger people in particular to check that their names are on the Electoral Register. To check that you are registered to vote go to: elections@somerset.gov.uk

A new public clock was officially unveiled in Ilminster at the weekend. Positioned on the corner of Silver Street and East Street, the clock pays tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth and has been paid for with money raised by the town’s Rotary Club.

A long-standing British fishing record looks set to be smashed after a huge Pike was caught at Chew Valley Lake in Somerset. The catch, weighing forty-seven pounds, was landed by local angler, Lloyd Watson. If ratified by the British Record Fish Committee, it will beat the previous national Pike record of forty-six pounds and thirteen ounces, set in 1992.

A man in Chard has been doing his bit to reduce speeding traffic by cutting back overgrown hedges hiding a speed sign. Rob Culliford decided to trim the hedges on the A30 Crewkerne to Chard Road as they were blocking a 30 mph speed sign, making it difficult for motorists to see what the speed limit was on the road.

More from News

Wednesday 2nd April

Leonardo Helicopters has won a £165 million repair and maintenance contract that will secure 200 jobs at the Yeovil factory. Police are searching for a thief who stole a safe containing £1500 in cash from a pub in Ilminster. Alzheimer's UK says the number of people with dementia in Somerset is massively under-recorded... and more.
Tuesday 1st April

Police are investigating the cause of a suspicious fire at the former Oscar Mayer site in Chard. Yeovil Town owner, Martin Hellier, has stepped down as club chairman. According to the website, Property Solvers, Martock has the slowest housing market in Somerset. A new Head Teacher has been appointed to run Sexeys School in Bruton...and more
Monday 31st March

Yeovil Town owner Martin Hellier has announced his intention to put the club up for sale. Somerset Chamber of Commerce says small businesses are bracing themselves for a challenging year. The Children's Hospice South West founder, Eddie Farwell, has died. Tintinhull Gardens near Yeovil have reopened for the new season...and more
Friday 28th March

First Bus has invested £12 million in buying 26 electric buses to run on routes in Somerset. Approval has been given to build 18 new homes in South Petherton. Somerset’s recycling sites, including Yeovil, will revert to their spring opening times next week. This year’s Somerset Drama Festival has been won by Ilminster Entertainments Society...and more.
Thursday 27th March

Yeovil MP Adam Dance has criticised the Chancellor for not reforming business rates in her Spring Statement. Fifteen schools in Somerset are to be equipped with new facilities for children with special educational needs. A charity in Yeovil is appealing for donations of new underwear to give to people who are homeless...and more
Wednesday 26th March

The remains of a Roman settlement have been discovered near Langport. Chard Town Council has issued a formal apology over some of its recent conduct. Visitors to Ham Hill Country Park are being asked to tread carefully and keep pets on leads to protect breeding skylarks nesting at ground-level...and more
Tuesday 25th March

A teenage boy has been arrested following an incident in Castle Cary. Somerset Council has announced “wide-ranging improvements” to bus services. Work has started upgrading a doctor’s surgery in Chard. The finalists have been announced for this year’s Somerset Business Awards...and more
Monday 24th March

Numatic International Ltd in Chard has been given planning permission to build a giant solar farm off the A30 Crewkerne Road. The RSPCA says incidents of dropped litter impacting the lives of animals in Somerset is a growing problem. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is marking 25 years of saving lives across the two counties...and more