Local News Monday 14th August

Monday, 14 August 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Yeovil leather manufacturer Pittards, has gone into administration putting two hundred jobs at risk. Somerset Council has dropped plans to bring forward the redevelopment of the former cattle market site in Yeovil. The Princess of Wales has been named as the new Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm at RNAS Yeovilton...and more .

Yeovil leather manufacturer, Pittards, has gone into administration putting two hundred jobs at risk at its factory on Sherborne Road. Pittards, who last month put its employees on short-time working to save money, also manages tanneries in Ethiopia on behalf of the Ethiopian government. The collapse follows a failed attempt by Pittards to raise one-point-one-million pounds in additional capital to keep the business afloat. Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh says he’ll be speaking today with the Administrators to see what, if anything, can be done to preserve the business.

Somerset Council has dropped its plans to bring forward the redevelopment of the former cattle market off Reckleford in Yeovil and Glovers Walk next to Yeovil bus station, meaning the two sites could remain derelict for several more years. The government has given five million pounds to attract investors to develop the cattle market and Glovers Walk but Somerset Council says the money's now needed to complete the improvements to Yeovil town centre. They've written to the Department for Local Government to ask for clearance to divert the five-million pounds to the Yeovil Refresh Project. As yet, the government haven’t said if they will allow the money to be spent in this way.

A by-election in Castle Cary to fill a vacancy on Somerset Council has been won by the Liberal Democrats. The result of the ballot held last Thursday was:
Kevin Messenger, Liberal Democrat, who polled one-thousand-two-hundred-and-forty-seven votes
David Hall, Conservative, six-hundreds-and-fourteen votes
Ewan Jones, Green Party, four-hundred-and-fifteen votes
The turnout was twenty-eight-point-three per cent

A woman in Somerset has gone public after losing forty-thousand pounds in a crypto currency scheme which had claimed to be endorsed by TV Money expert Martin Lewis. The woman hadn't realised she was being scammed. Trading Standards say there's been a big rise in scams using fake celebrity endorsements.

The Princess of Wales has been named as the new Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm, based at RNAS Yeovilton. The role was previously held by Prince Andrew.

Station Road in Crewkerne is closed to traffic from today for resurfacing. The work’s due to be completed by Wednesday. Access for residents and local businesses will be maintained.

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Wednesday 29th April

Somerset Council says Hendford Hill in Yeovil should be fully reopened to traffic by the end of May. Plans have been approved to build 40 new homes in Crewkerne. A huge pile of illegally dumped rubbish in Glastonbury has been cleared... and more
Tuesday 28th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision at Rimpton. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in South Petherton. Former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson has been retained as first-team manager of Taunton Town for next season... and more
Monday 27th April

A former school in Sherborne has been badly damaged by fire. A care home in Yeovil has been rated outstanding. ublic spaces in West Coker owned by Somerset Council are being handed over to the parish council. Mendip Golf Club has presented a cheque for £12,000 to Mind in Somerset... and more
Friday 24th April

Plans have been submitted to turn a property on Preston Road in Yeovil into a House in Multiple Occupation. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has been recalled to the England Red Roses starting line-up for tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations game against Wales. Three sisters from Yeovil will be running the London Marathon this weekend in support of Guide Dogs UK... and more
Thursday 23rd April

Helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton have completed six weeks of sorties, protecting Cyprus from attacks by Iran. People in Somerset who use domestic heating oil are calling on the government to regulate the oil supply industry. Patients are being invited to register at a new NHS dentist in Crewkerne... and more
Wednesday 22nd April

Expectant mothers are using Yeovil Hospital once again to give birth following the reopening of the maternity unit. A Yeovil man has been jailed for four years for committing sexual offences against two young girls. Plans have been approved to convert a pub in Milborne Port into housing... and more
Tuesday 21st April

NHS Somerset has delayed closing the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. A former Avon and Somerset Police officer has been jailed for making indecent images of children. A Somerset man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild animal with dogs... and more
Monday 20th April

Nearly one hundred roads in Somerset will be surface dressed this summer to prevent further damage. Almost all children starting primary school in Somerset in September have been offered a place at one of their top three school choices. People in Somerset are being asked to record wild mammals in gardens and other green spaces over the summer... and more