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

Monday 24th November

A church leader has warned that “irrevocable damage” will be caused to town centres if Somerset Council starts charging for Sunday parking. Fifty new homes are to be built in Castle Cary following a successful planning appeal. A call has been made for a memorial to the victims who died in a plane crash on the Blackdown Hills 80 years ago...and more.
Friday 21st November

A public inquiry is being held into plans to build a large solar farm in the village of Wayford. Fire crews have put out a small blaze at Tesco in Ilminster. Canadian firm KDC One is closing its Wellington factory, putting dozens of jobs at risk. It's Ilminster's turn to switch on the Christmas lights tonight... and more.
Thursday 20th November

Taunton Town Council has agreed to provide funding for five years to support the town's Brewhouse Theatre. The Environment Agency is warning that Somerset could experience a drought next spring if this winter is drier than usual. We’re being asked to look out for rough sleepers during the current cold snap...and more
Wednesday 19th November

Yeovil MP Adam Dance is calling for stronger preventative measures to stop sewage discharges into local waterways. Somerset Council is to provide three new children's homes across the County. Street Football Club has appointed a father-and-son team to manage the club... and more.
Tuesday 18th November

Somerset Council has set up a task force to help identify land for a permanent traveller’s site in the county. Police are appealing for information after a charity shop in Martock was targeted by burglars. A Somerset woman is seeking individuals with a connection to the armed forces to join a new amateur rowing club...and more.
Monday 17th November

Workers belonging to the Unite union at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil are threatening further strike action. Dunelm says its Yeovil store in the Quedam will reopen on Tuesday, December 16th. A nurse working at Yeovil Hospital has won a place in the final of Miss England...and more.
Friday 14th November

Yeovil Hospital has introduced a new system for handling patients at its A&E department aimed at cutting waiting times. It’s claimed that an Iron Age settlement preserved under Somerset's wetlands for 2,000 years is facing erosion due to climate change. Montacute Road in Tintinhull will be closed for five days next week for repairs to a gas main.
Thursday 13th November

Workers at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil are taking part in a second day of strike action in their dispute over pay. Lloyds Bank has closed its branch in Chard permanently. A week-long programme of tree planting will be held at Ham Hill later this month to mark National Tree Week...and more