Wednesday 8th November

Wednesday, 8 November 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

New figures suggest that 1-in-8 households in Somerset are in fuel poverty. A man has died in a house fire at Alhampton near Castle Cary. An Ilminster woman is walking across the Sahara Desert raising funds for a charity that helps people with drug addiction. People wanting to park at Castle Cary Railway Station will be able to use a new temporary car park from this week...and more.

New figures suggest that 1-in-8 households in Somerset are in fuel poverty. The Open Data Institute also found that the South West is one of the worst affected regions in the UK when it comes to households choosing between heating and eating.

A man has died in a house fire at Alhampton near Castle Cary. The man was pronounced dead at the scene following the blaze that broke out at around 8 a.m. on Monday, earlier this week.

People wanting to park at Castle Cary Railway Station will be able to use a new temporary car park from this week. Great Western Railway, who owns the site, say it's to ease parking problems locally in the run-up to Christmas but the car park will close again early in the New Year to allow for contractors to finish building it to eventually provide 200 new parking spaces.

A man has been arrested after a quantity of cannabis and £30,000 in cash was found in a property in Milborne Port. The raid was carried out after police traced the sender of a package of cannabis, discovered at Heathrow Airport, to the property address in Milborne Port.

Somerset Community Foundation has launched its annual Surviving Winter Appeal. The charity says it will be supporting around 800 older people with grants of up to £500 to help pay their fuel bills.

An Ilminster woman is currently walking across the Sahara Desert raising funds for a charity that helps people with a drug addiction. Sophi Unwin, who works at estate agents Greenslade Taylor Hunt in Ilminster, is walking a distance of 100 kilometres across the Sahara Desert, raising funds for the Nelson Trust.

Yeovil Town maintained their run of good results beating Torquay United 3-1 away at Plainmoor last night. The Glovers, who stay top of National League South, are now undefeated in 12 games.

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Monday 20th January

Somerset Council says a government review of adult social care could cause the Council to go bankrupt. A pilot scheme in Somerset aimed at cutting hospital admissions to A&E by the most vulnerable patients has shown a 50 per cent reduction in visits. Somerset celebrity chef Josh Eggleton is converting a double-decker bus to help promote healthier eating in schools...and more.
Friday 17th January

Bruton Primary School is the latest to have a barrier installed outside the school to stop parents parking when dropping off and picking up children. A man has appeared in court charged with being drunk and disorderly at Yeovil Hospital. A veteran of World War Two in Castle Cary has been awarded France’s highest military and civil distinction...and more
Thursday 16th January

A Chard woman has appeared in court after driving her car towards a crowd of people who, she claimed, were causing a disturbance. Crewkerne residents will soon be provided with a new banking hub. Work has started removing 14 trees along the embankment of Chard Reservoir...and more
Wednesday 15th January

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
Tuesday 14th January

Police are appealing for witnesses after two people died in a car crash near Shepton Mallet. A new passing loop could be introduced on the rail line between Castle Cary and Yeovil Pen Mill stations. St Margaret’s Hospice has thanked the public for making this year’s Christmas Tree Recycling project their most successful ever...and more
Monday 13th January

Plans to build forty-six new homes in Castle Cary have been rejected for a third time. Yeovil MP Adam Dance says he has no plans to step down from his dual role as a member of Somerset Council. Rug Ratz in Yeovil is closing permanently today, leaving the town without a children's soft play space...and more.
Friday 10th January

Yeovil Hospital has declared a critical incident due to a sharp rise in flu admissions putting pressure on bed spaces. Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, joined campaigners and colleagues in Downing Street this week to hand in a petition calling for action to tackle the shortage of NHS dentists. Yeovil's Marlie Packer has been replaced as England's Red Roses captain for 2025 season... and more
Thursday 9th January

Police say three children, missing from their home in Essex, have been found safe and well in Wincanton. Yeovil Hospital is asking visitors to A&E to wear facemasks to help avoid the spread of infection. Long traffic queues can be expected in Chard over the next nine months. A new arts and music performance space has opened in Crewkerne...and more.