Wednesday 5th March

Wednesday, 5 March 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Council has been told that hundreds of millions of pounds in loans taken out by former district councils, including South Somerset, have to be paid back. A Somerset charity says it needs more volunteers to help with research into new treatments for dementia. A local shop owner has welcomed Somerset Council’s decision to scrap plans to charge for parking after 6 pm...and more.

Somerset Council has been told that hundreds of millions of pounds in loans taken out to buy investment properties by former district councils, including South Somerset, have to be paid back. The government has given Somerset Council permission to sell properties it owns and use the money to fund services like adult social care but says the original loans, totalling £300 million, have to be paid back, with interest.

A local shop owner has welcomed Somerset Council’s decision to scrap plans to charge for parking after 6 pm at council-run car parks across Somerset. Apart from not charging for overnight parking, the Council has also decided to continue providing free on-street parking in town centres. Shop owner, Susie Thomas, who along with thousands of others signed a petition opposing the charges, says it's good that the Council has listened.

A Somerset-based charity says it needs volunteers to help it with the search for new treatments for dementia. ReMind UK is running clinical trials and academic studies. It says it needs people, with or without dementia, to sign up to trials.

No trains will be running between Yeovil Pen Mill and Castle Cary next week. This will allow Network Rail to complete improvements to the Heart of Wessex Line, including repairs to signalling at Yeovil Pen Mill station and removing diseased trees along the line. A rail replacement bus service will be operating between Yeovil Pen Mill and Castle Cary, Monday to Friday next week, during the shutdown.

In cricket, Somerset all-rounder, Ben Green will join Leicestershire on loan for their opening seven County Championship matches. The 27-year-old will return to Somerset in time for the Vitality Blast clash against Surrey on May 30th.

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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
Wednesday 12th November

Workers belonging to the Unite union at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil begin a two-day strike today. Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, has been speaking in a parliamentary debate on improving dyslexia support in schools. South Western Ambulance Service is inviting applications for positions on its governing council...and more
Tuesday 11th November

Somerset residents are being urged to get a flu jab as cases of flu continue to rise. Seven horse saddles have been stolen in a break-in at a riding school in Queen Camel. Donations of children’s toys are needed for this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal...and more
Monday 10th November

It’s claimed Somerset Council has lost nearly £5 million selling the Marks and Spencer building in Yeovil. A car has been set on fire in a suspected arson attack in Shepton Mallet. A Crewkerne man says night-time noise from the town's Waitrose store is causing him and his family "sleep disturbance" ... and more.
Friday 7th November

A man from Yeovil has been jailed for eight years after being convicted of three counts of rape. Smoking rates in Somerset remain higher than in many other parts of the UK. Students at three schools in Yeovil have created a new shoe design for Clarks.
Thursday 6th November

The Supreme Court has ruled that building thousands of homes in Somerset has been "unlawfully held up". The Head of Holyrood Academy in Chard has described the building of a new primary school in the town as an ‘incredible opportunity’. A pub near Chard has been named one of the best in Britain by The Good Food Guide...and more
Wednesday 5th November

Members of the Unite union at Leonardo in Yeovil have called off a planned strike for today. South Western Railway says trains on the West of England Line will start running normally again at the end of the month. A memorial post box has been placed at the entrance to Crewkerne cemetery...and more.