Local News Friday 13th January

Friday, 13 January 2023 07:15

Citizens Advice in Somerset says it is getting a higher-than-average number of calls from people saying they can no longer afford to top-up their electricity prepayment meters. A group of disabled people has formed Somerset’s first-ever wheelchair rugby team. Martock Library is to shut for two months for a major upgrade. Two wassailing events take place locally this weekend. Plans have been submitted to build 8 new homes in the village of Hatch Beauchamp...and more

A group of disabled people has formed Somerset’s first-ever wheelchair rugby team. The team will compete in the sport's National League beginning in June against sides from all around England.

Martock Library is to shut for two months for a major upgrade. The library will be closed from Wednesday the 15th of February to Tuesday the 11th of April for the improvements to be carried out.

Two wassailing events take place locally this weekend. The ceremonies, aimed at waking fruit trees from their winter slumber and to scare away evil spirits, ensuring a good harvest, take place at the Bere Cider Company in Aller, near Langport, tomorrow, and in Chard at the community orchard next to Chard Museum on Sunday. Both events start at around 5 pm and if you plan to take part you’re asked to take along some pots, pans, and drums to make some noise and help wake up the trees.

People living near the site of Glastonbury Festival have until the 31st of January to comment on a planning application to make the site permanent for the festival. Since its launch, Glastonbury Festival has operated on temporary licences issued by Mendip District Council, with the current licence ending in 2024.

Plans have been submitted to build 8 new homes in the village of Hatch Beauchamp. A site measuring 1.4 hectares has been identified off Station Road for development. A previous application to build 12 homes on the site in 2019 was turned down

A new head has been appointed to run the region’s ambulance service. Stephen Otter, who was previously the Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police has taken on the role of Chair of the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

More from News

Monday 10th February

A dog, stolen in Norfolk seven years ago, has been found 200 miles away safe and well in Somerset. A man who lives in Seavington St Michael near Ilminster has been jailed after driving a car at police officers. One hundred new affordable homes could be built near Langport...and more
Friday 7th February

A Yeovil man has been fined £1,200 for sending hostile text messages to his ex-wife. A report into the performance of Avon and Somerset Police has found it doesn't answer emergency calls quickly enough. Twenty-two swimmers at the Trident Swimming Club in Chard have won places in this year’s Somerset County Swimming Championships...and more
Thursday 6th February

A man has appeared in court charged with murdering a one-month-old baby boy in Chard. Kingfisher Primary School in Yeovil has been highly praised by Ofsted. Somerset Council says it’s “extremely disappointed” after its bid to form a devolved Wessex group of local councils was rejected by the government...and more.
Wednesday 5th February

The Liberal Democrat Leader of Somerset Council, Councillor Bill Revans, says they had no choice but to ask the government to allow them to lift the 5 percent cap on raising Council Tax. Two teenagers have been released on bail following the stabbing in Yeovil. More than six thousand pounds has been awarded to local groups by Chard Carnival Committee...and more.
Tuesday 4th February

Somerset has been permitted to increase its Council Tax share by 7.5 percent. An Ilminster man, forced out of his house by last week's floods, says he doesn't know when he will be able to return home. Ilminster Literary Festival has launched its annual children’s writing competition, designed to encourage local children to write creative literature...and more.
Monday 3rd February

Five men have appeared in court charged with the murder of a man in Yeovil. A 16-year-old is the second person to be arrested in connection with a stabbing in Yeovil. Yeovil’s new outdoor entertainment space in Lower Middle Street has been officially opened by the town’s MP... and more.
Friday 31st January

A teenager has been arrested following a stabbing in Yeovil. Water bills in Somerset are set to go up on average by £123 from April. Yeovil MP, Adam Dance will officially open Yeovil’s new outdoor performance space later today...and more
Thursday 30th January

Lloyds bank is closing its branch in Chard. A Sherborne man has been jailed after defrauding a Yeovil woman of £40,000. A volunteer group in Chard is urging people to sign up to a flood victims register. A councillor in Shepton Mallet has become the first Reform UK member on Somerset Council... and more