Wednesday 4th October

Wednesday, 4 October 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Last night’s meeting of Yeovil Town Council, called to discuss giving financial support to the £29M project to re-build Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre had to be abandoned before it had started. Concern has been expressed about land at Bruton School for Girls being used for new housing. Homeowners in Chard are being offered the use of a free water butt to help cut the risk of flooding...and more.

Last night’s meeting of Yeovil Town Council, called to discuss giving financial support to the £29 million project to re-build Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre had to be abandoned before it had started due to the Council Chamber not being big enough to accommodate all the people wanting to attend. An impromptu meeting was held outside the Town House at which Council Leader Graham Oakes apologised for the upset and said a bigger venue would now be booked for holding the meeting at a later date. Meanwhile, the Executive at Somerset Council meets today to decide the next steps with the Octagon project which has run into problems due to increased building costs and higher interest rates.

Concern has been expressed about land at Bruton School for Girls being used for new housing. The school, which closed in the summer of last year, is currently on offer with a guide price of £9 million. Chairman of Pitcombe Parish Council, Richard Waller, says he’s concerned about the impact a new housing development on the site would have on local services.

Rail operators in Somerset are warning of delays and cancellations today due to further strike action by members of ASLEF. South Western Railway and GWR say only a reduced timetable will operate on both networks.

Homeowners in Chard are being offered the use of a free water butt to help cut the risk of flooding. The butts, provided by Wessex Water, are being given to people living in the Crimchard and Glynswood areas of the town in the hope they reduce the build-up of surface water.

Work starts later this month on resurfacing the B3081 at Bruton. It starts on Monday, October 16th and will last until Monday, October 23rd with the road closed between 6.30 pm and 11.30 pm each evening.

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Wednesday 18th February

New figures have shown a rise in cases of suicide involving farmers, including in Somerset. Plans to merge the parishes of Castle Cary and Ansford have been scrapped. A Somerset-based charity working to end homelessness is marking its 50th anniversary... and more
Tuesday 17th February

Avon and Somerset Police are asking the owners of replica guns to hand them in. It's claimed motorists in the Bruton and Wincanton area are paying out hundreds of pounds in repairs due to the poor state of local roads. And, Yeovil Town take on Aldershot at Huish Park tonight... and more
Monday 16th February

Yeovil MP Adam Dance has warned that the Westlands entertainment venue in Yeovil would be at risk should Leonardo not be awarded a government contract to build new medium life helicopters. A Chard woman has been given a suspended jail sentence for carrying a knife in a public place. A petition has been launched to slowdown motorists using Coker Way and Wyatt Way in Chard... and more
Friday 13th February

Somerset Council has dropped plans to close two town centre car parks in Yeovil. A Yeovil man has been charged with attempted murder after a woman was attacked in her home. The Environment Agency has committed to reviewing its water management of the Somerset Levels following the recent floods... and more
Thursday 12th February

The government says it's ‘working flat out’ to arrive at a decision on ordering a new medium lift helicopter with Leonardo in Yeovil. We’re being asked to suggest where new electric vehicle charge points should be installed in Somerset. A new project is inviting people to look up and help map Somerset’s night skies... and more
Wednesday 11th February

Somerset Council has been told it can’t raise council tax by more than 5 percent. Businesses in Somerset are being warned to watch out for fake £20 notes. A Martock man has successfully completed a parachute-ski jump off the top of Mount Snowdon.
Tuesday 10th February

Eye operations in Somerset have been cancelled, due to a private company running out of NHS funding to provide the surgery. A local MP is calling for the permanent installation of pumps on the Somerset Levels to reduce the flood risk. A £3 million pound project has begun to refurbish the grand organ at Wells Cathedral... and more
Monday 9th February

Multiple flood alerts and warnings remain in place across South Somerset following the weekend’s heavy rainfall. Work starts today repairing a sinkhole on Station Road in Castle Cary. A business in Crewkerne is closing after 50-years trading in the town... and more