Tuesday 27th February

Tuesday, 27 February 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Council says CCTV across the County is to stay operating for at least another year. A Castle Cary man has collected 1600 names on a petition opposing plans to close the Dimmer waste recycling centre. A rugby player who struck an opposing player in the face during a match played in Sherborne has appeared in court charged with grievous bodily harm...and more

Somerset Council says the county’s network of CCTV cameras will stay operating for at least another year after town and parish councils offered to help fund the service. CCTV has been under threat after Somerset Council said it could no longer afford to subsidise the network. Some town and parish councils, however, are yet to decide if they will pay to keep CCTV going.

A Castle Cary man has collected 1600 names on a petition opposing plans to close the Dimmer waste recycling centre. Drew Thompson claims closing Dimmer will increase fly tipping around Castle Cary, which contradicts Somerset Council’s stated aim of wanting a ‘greener and more sustainable’ Somerset. Crewkerne waste recycling centre is also on a list of five centres in Somerset at risk of closure as part of efforts at Somerset Council to cut spending by £100 million.

Patients in Somerset are being warned to check if their hospital appointment is affected by the ongoing strike action by junior doctors. Junior doctors have walked out again today on the fourth of a five-day stoppage in support of a 35 per cent pay demand. Yeovil Hospital and Taunton's Musgrove Park are the two hospitals in Somerset affected by the strike.

A rugby player who struck an opposing player in a match played in Sherborne has appeared in court charged with grievous bodily harm. Jack Richards was playing for Wellington RFC against Sherborne RFC at the Terraces when he hit opposing player Jamie Davidson causing damage to one of his eyes. Appearing before magistrates in Weymouth, Richards pleaded guilty to the offence and was sent to Bournemouth Crown Court for sentencing.

Somerset has been named as the worst area in the South West for domestic abuse. Research by Personal Injury Claims UK claims that around 60 abuse crimes occurred every day between November 2022 and October 2023 in the Avon and Somerset area. Sixty-eight per cent of victims were female, with twenty-six per cent male. Six per cent of victims had other gender definitions or their gender was unknown.

A hearing dog has been credited with helping a Somerset Paralympic hopeful, as she prepares for this summer's games in Paris. Swimmer, Suzanna Hext, was paralysed from the waist down in 2012. She's since also completely lost her hearing but says her confidence has improved dramatically, thanks to her hearing dog, Kimmy, who accompanies her everywhere, including training sessions.

The campaign group, Green Ilminster, has announced the date of its next annual meeting. It’ll be held at the Dolphin in Ilminster on Tuesday, March 5th starting at 6.30 pm and is open to all to attend.

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