Wednesday 15th January

Wednesday, 15 January 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A Yeovil man has been arrested on suspicion of engaging in sexual communication with a child. A Community Fridge in Shepton Mallet says it saved ten tonnes of unwanted food from going to landfill in the run-up to Christmas. Somerset Council has started collecting empty toothpaste tubes for recycling at the kerbside for the first time...and more

A Yeovil man has been arrested on suspicion of engaging in sexual communication with a child. Avon and Somerset Police say the man, who hasn’t been named, was arrested as part of an ongoing investigation and released on conditional bail to allow for further enquiries.

Somerset Council is reassuring people that just because land is identified for development it doesn't mean the site will be built on. Somerset Council is seeking to identify sites for potential development as part of a new county-wide Local Plan. It comes as Somerset Council has been put under pressure to identify potential building sites to meet the government's new housing targets.

A community fridge in Shepton Mallet says it saved over ten tonnes of unwanted food from going to landfill in the run-up to Christmas. Volunteers at the Shepton Mallet Fridge Project spent December handing out the food to those in greatest need.

Somerset Council has rejected a request from Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, to carry out works to lessen the flooding risk in Donyatt. Heavy rain and wet weather often cause the River Isle to flood the A358, preventing traffic from passing through the village. Mr Dance says better drainage and regular river maintenance are needed to reduce the risk, but Somerset Council says it has no plans, at the moment, to tackle the problem.

Somerset Council, through its collections contractor, SUEZ, have started collecting empty toothpaste tubes for recycling at the kerbside. Changes to the materials used in the production of toothpaste tubes have meant that provided it says recyclable on the tube, empty toothpaste tubes can now be put out for recycling.

The Candlelight Inn in Bishopswood, Chard, has been named in a list of the best eight restaurants in Somerset. The Candlelight was praised in a public vote on Trip Advisor for sourcing local home-grown ingredients for all its dishes.

More from News

Tuesday 6th January

The Poundland chain has confirmed its store closures, including one of the Yeovil branches next Friday. Yeovil's Marlie Packer has been awarded an OBE for her outstanding contribution to rugby. Nearly one hundred new low-cost homes could be coming to South Chard...and more.
Monday 5th January

A woman has been cut free from her car after a four-vehicle collision in Montacute. Devon and Somerset fire crews have been praised for their bravery, following the summer wildfires. More new homes are set to be built in Martock, following approval from Somerset Council...and more.
Wednesday 24th December

A formal planning application has been made to carry out significant improvements to Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre, costing £15 million. The Halifax Bank in King George Street in Yeovil could be converted into 17 flats. A new young people’s centre opens in Chard early in the New Year...and more.
Tuesday 23rd December

NHS Somerset reports a strong uptake of flu jabs, but some eligible people for free vaccinations haven’t come forward. Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident on the A303 in which a pedestrian was killed. A Crewkerne woman has gone viral on TikTok after being trapped inside a Lidl store in the town... and more.
Monday 22nd December

Somerset Bus Partnership has welcomed a £24.7m boost for the county's bus services. Outline planning permission has been granted to build up to 100 new homes in Ilminster. An Ilminster man has been banned from keeping animals for seven years. Residents in Chiselborough have set up a group to try and re-open the village pub...and more.
Friday 19th December

Crewkerne Community Hospital is to lose half its inpatient beds. A review will be conducted of a project to make Bridgwater more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly. Chard Methodist Church is offering residents a free lunch on Christmas Day. Yeovil-based Screwfix is opening a new outlet in Minehead...and more.
Thursday 18th December

Yeovil MP Adam Dance has warned that delays in ordering 30 new medium lift helicopters for the RAF is putting the future of Somerset’s defence industries at risk. Somerset's farmers are being urged to convert more cow manure into biogas to heat homes. A new visitor centre has opened at Ham Hill country park...and more