Monday 25th March

Monday, 25 March 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Twenty-five new electric buses will soon start running on Somerset’s roads thanks to a £14.7 million Government investment in public transport. A record number of houses were sold in Chard last year making it one of the most popular towns in Somerset to live in. Yeovil's Marlie Packer won her 100th cap with the England Women’s Rugby team playing Italy in a Six Nations game yesterday...and more.

Twenty-five new electric buses are to be introduced on Somerset’s roads thanks to a £14.7 million investment in public transport by the government. The double-decker and single-decker buses are being paid for by a grant from the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission scheme. The electric buses will replace some of Buses of Somerset’s diesel fleet, and will each save up to 60 tonnes of tailpipe emissions every year.

The number of community food pantries operating in Somerset has risen to ten. Community food pantries give out food to those in the greatest need that has been donated by supermarkets that would otherwise be thrown away.

It seems Chard is a place where more and more people want to live. Figures from the property website Rightmove show that house sales in Chard last year more than doubled. Rightmove says that compared to 2022 the number of property sales in Chard rose by 123 per cent last year.

Yeovil-based solicitors Battens came away winners at the 2024 Somerset Business Awards, held in Weston-super-mare, at the weekend. Battens, who have offices in Princes Street in Yeovil, was presented with the ‘Investing in Somerset Award’ sponsored by Hinkley Point C.

Mill on the Brue at Bruton is asking for permission to install ninety-four solar panels at the outdoor activity centre. A planning application to Somerset Council says the panels will be sited near to the entrance, not far away from an existing bridleway.

Somerset is on a list of places to report UFO sightings. In their annual report, the research group UFO Identified says fifteen unexplained objects or lights were spotted in the skies over Somerset between January 2021 and December 2023. It brings to 193, the total number of UFO sightings across the South West in the last four years.

Yeovil's Marlie Packer won her 100th cap playing for the England Women’s Rugby team in a Six Nations game against Italy yesterday. The 34-year-old flanker and England Captain, who attended Bucker’s Mead Academy in Yeovil, made her debut for the Red Roses in 2008 and is only the seventh English women’s rugby player to win 100 caps playing for her country.

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Friday 18th July

EDF has completed another milestone in constructing the new 'Hinkley C' nuclear power plant near Bridgwater. The Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire opens today with helicopters built in Yeovil on display. A road leading to Chard reservoir, shut two months ago for strengthening work to a dam wall, has re-opened...and more
Thursday 17th July

Yeovil MP Adam Dance says he has serious concerns about plans that could see the closure of inpatient beds at Crewkerne Community Hospital. Ilminster residents are being asked to vote in a referendum on adopting a new neighbourhood plan for the town. An event in which people take part in a race against horses is returning to Somerset later this year...and more
Wednesday 16th July

A children’s play area in Ilminster has been closed on safety grounds after badger setts were found on the land. Somerset Council sold off £90m of property assets last year to help fight off bankruptcy. Crewkerne Community Hospital could be turned into a neighbourhood health centre...and more.
Tuesday 15th July

The fire service has blamed a discarded portable barbecue for starting a blaze at Ham Hill Country Park. A care home for people with autism and complex needs in Crewkerne has been rated 'good'. A seven-year-old Yeovil boy has set a new world record for completing the most number of consecutive sit-ups for his age group...and more
Monday 14th July

Somerset Council is warning motorists against scanning QR codes at its car parks payment meters. Chard Town Council is spending £10,000 on short-term youth provision over the summer months. Former Yeovil Town player Marcus Stewart says he wants to continue raising money towards finding a cure for motor neurone disease...and more.
Friday 10th July

A Yeovil woman has shared how she is still on the waiting list for a transplant, a year on. A Crewkerne community group saved two tonnes of food from landfill last month and gave it to residents in need. Yeovil Town have announced their fixture list for the 2025/26 season....and more.
Thursday 10th July

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a yellow heat health alert for the South West. A former Cherry Farm in Chard has donated its netting and high-tensile wire to Somerset Aid for Ukraine. Somerset Council is moving forward with its next phase of plans for the county...and more.
Wednesday 9th July

Demolition work at Yeovil’s Glovers Walk has been held up after two colonies of bees were discovered. Refurbishment of the town’s Dunelm store is underway. A teenager from Crewkerne has represented his country, winning a gold medal in a national boxing competition... and more.