Tuesday 3rd October

Tuesday, 3 October 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Yeovil Town Council meets tonight to vote on giving financial support to the £29 million project to upgrade the Octagon Theatre. Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was punched in the face in Chard. Yeovil Library is taking part in Libraries Week on the theme of ‘Green Libraries’ encouraging communities to become more sustainable...and more.

Yeovil Town Council meets tonight to consider giving financial support to upgrade Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre. The project costing £29M would see the Octagon virtually rebuilt with three hundred extra seats, a bigger stage, two boutique cinemas and a new restaurant. It has been put at risk due to increased building costs and higher interest rates. At tonight’s meeting, starting at 7 pm in the Town House and which is open to the public, councillors will hear arguments for and against, before voting to commit Yeovil Town Council to financially support the project. Separately, the Executive at Somerset Council, which owns and manages the Octagon, meet tomorrow to make a decision about the Octagon.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was punched in the face in Chard. It happened in Boden Street on Sunday 17th September between 1 and 2 am when a car stopped, a man got out and attacked the man who was walking on the footpath with his wife. The attacker is described as white, in his early 20’s with dark, wavy hair. Anyone with information is asked to call the non-emergency number 101.

Royal Mail says it is committed to restoring service levels after complaints about long delays delivering the post in Yeovil. Royal Mail is legally obliged to deliver letters six days a week and parcels five days a week. Regional Secretary of the Communication Workers Union, Kevin Beazer, says the problem is due to staff shortages at the Yeovil sorting office and wage levels that aren’t high enough to attract new staff.

NHS Somerset is warning of disruption to hospital appointments this week with junior doctors and consultants on strike for higher pay. Today, members of the Society for Radiographers have joined the stoppage for 24 hours, affecting Minor Injury Units.

Yeovil Library is taking part in Libraries Week on the theme of ‘Green Libraries’ encouraging communities to become more sustainable. The activities at Yeovil Library are based on supporting life-long learning, together with the causes of climate change.

More from News

Monday 28th April

Somerset Council is being criticised for taking too long to re-open Yeovil's Octagon Theatre. The Liberal Democrats have won a seat on Chard Town Council by one vote. Dates have been announced for this year’s illuminated carnival processions in South Somerset...and more.
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