Local News Friday 24th March

Friday, 24 March 2023 06:00

A man who robbed a teenager of his wallet in Yeovil has been jailed. Police have stepped up their enforcement action to stop people parking on the main road outside Castle Cary railway station. Work is underway to replace damaged public seating in Ilminster. Muchelney Pottery near Langport is marking King Charles's coronation with a commemorative mug...and more.

A man who robbed a teenager of his wallet in Yeovil has been jailed. Lee Rowley, aged twenty-two, approached the seventeen-year-old from behind, forcing him to the ground before making off with his wallet in the incident in Higher Kingston in Yeovil in November last year. Appearing at Taunton Crown Court, Rowley, who pleaded guilty to the offence, was jailed for three years.

Police have stepped up their enforcement action to stop people parking on the main road outside Castle Cary railway station. In just one day, fifty-seven parking tickets were issued to owners with vehicles parked at the roadside, causing an obstruction. Police say they will continue to issue parking tickets until people stop parking on the main road. Rail users are calling on GWR to provide more parking spaces at Castle Cary station.
New figures from the RNLI show their crews in the south west saved forty-two lives last year and launched more than fourteen-hundred times. The charity is now asking the public to help with its latest fundraising campaign – the Mayday Mile. The fundraiser will see people taking on the challenge of walking a mile a day during the month of May.

Work is underway to replace damaged public seating in Ilminster. Around a dozen new wooden bench seats are being installed around the town and at Herne Hill, with funding provided through the Market Town Initiative run by South Somerset District Council.

The search is on to find a new chairperson to head up the board of trustees at Ilminster Arts Centre. The unpaid role involves acting as an ambassador for the charity and ensuring the board of trustees delivers success for the arts centre.

Muchelney Pottery near Langport is marking King Charles's coronation with a commemorative mug. The limited edition stoneware mugs are stamped with the Muchelney trademark. Only one-hundred-and-twenty-five of the mugs are being produced.

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Friday 12th December

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Thursday 11th December

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Wednesday 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 9th December

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Monday 8th December

Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Friday 5th December

Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
Thursday 4th December

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Wednesday 3rd December

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,