Monday 8th January

Monday, 8 January 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Council says it needs to raise council tax by ten per cent to prevent it from bankruptcy. Two local men have been jailed after admitting to dealing in stolen farm machinery. A Chard woman has set a new personal best by completing four marathons in as many days....and more.

Somerset Council says it needs to raise council tax by ten per cent to prevent it from going bankrupt. The Council’s ruling Lib Dem Executive meets on January 15th to agree on a savings plan that includes closing recycling centres, visitor centres and reducing subsidies to local theatres. Nevertheless, even after making these cuts, the Council says it will still have a shortfall in its budget starting in April of tens of millions of pounds.

Two local men have been jailed after admitting to dealing in stolen farm machinery. Harry Hollowell of Jellicoe Road, in Yeovil, and Vincent Bruce, of Bearley Lane, in Tintinhull, were appearing for sentencing at Bristol Crown Court. Hollowell was sentenced to three years and two months imprisonment and Bruce to one year and four months, suspended for two years.

A Somerset family has given up attempting to cross halfway around the world without flying. Shannon Coggins, Theo Simon and their daughter Rosa left East Pennard in August to travel the 10,000 miles to Australia by land and sea only. But Theo says at the halfway point, they had to concede that flying was their only way of making it to Australia.

Thatcher’s Cider is giving away five hundred apple trees to local community groups. The cider maker says it wants to see the creation of community orchards in rural and inner city areas to support those in greatest need.

A Chard woman has set a personal best by completing four marathons in as many days. Lisa White who works at the 1610 gym in Chard completed each marathon in around four and a half hours, covering a total distance of 104.8 miles.

Yeovil Town have moved to 10 points clear at the top of National League South after their win against local rivals Bath City by 2 goals to nil at Huish Park on Saturday. Yeovil are next in action tomorrow night when they play away against Taunton Town at Wordsworth Drive. Kick-off is 7.45 pm.

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