Local News Friday 20th January

Friday, 20 January 2023 07:23

A new large-scale solar farm could be built near Crewkerne. Greentech Ltd has submitted an inquiry to South Somerset District Council about using land on Dunsham Lane in Wayford for the scheme. The Environment Agency says flood water on the Somerset Levels is receding but that a major incident remains in place. Councillor Jenny Kenton has been elected as the new Mayor of Chard...and more.

A new large-scale solar farm could be built near Crewkerne. Greentech Ltd has submitted an inquiry to South Somerset District Council about using land on Dunsham Lane in Wayford for the scheme. The company claims the site would be enclosed to prevent it from impacting the character of the village.

The Environment Agency says flood water on the Somerset Levels is receding but that a major incident remains in place. Extra pumps are being used to remove the excess water but residents and the Leader of Somerset County Council, Councillor Bill Revans have both accused the Agency of not acting fast enough.

Councillor Jenny Kenton has been elected as the new Mayor of Chard. Her appointment follows the resignation in December of Councillor Martin Carnell as Mayor. Councillor Kenton will serve until May when a fresh election will be held to fill the post of Mayor. The new Deputy Mayor of Chard is Councillor Claire Brown.

The Chair of Avon and Somerset Police Federation, Mark Loker, wants his colleagues to speak out if they have suspicions about their fellow officers. It follows the case of David Carrick - the former Met Police Officer who committed numerous acts of sexual abuse, including rape, while a serving officer.

The owner of a flower shop in Ilminster has donated £500 towards the costs of the town’s Christmas lights. Angie Blackwell of Cottage Flowers in the High Street raised the money by giving a demonstration of festive flower arranging at The Warehouse Theatre in Ilminster in December.

The Fixy Reuse van operated by Somerset Waste Partnership is in Martock today. It’s parked outside the Parish Hall until 1 pm for people to hand in items of unwanted tech equipment like PCs, laptops and screens. All the items will be re-used.

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