Yeovil has been officially re-branded as the ‘Home of British Helicopters’. More spending cuts are on the way at Somerset Council. A shopkeeper in Bruton is questioning a ‘no entry’ sign. The four-time holder of the World’s Strongest Man title is in Chard this weekend...and more.
Yeovil has been officially re-branded as the ‘Home of British Helicopters’. The slogan will be seen on road signs leading into the town and on all promotional material about Yeovil. The campaign has been funded by Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil.
More spending cuts are on the way at Somerset Council. The unitary authority took responsibility for providing all council services in Somerset in April following the closure of the County Council and four district councils – including South Somerset. They’ve already identified savings of forty-point-eight million pounds for next year but say further cuts are needed of up to fifty million to balance the books. Deputy Leader, Liz Leyshon says the financial benefits of combining the five former councils into the unitary council will take time to show through.
A shopkeeper in Bruton is questioning why a ‘no entry’ sign has been placed in the middle of the pavement on the High Street in Bruton. Shoppers say it’s difficult to navigate around the sign, especially for people in wheelchairs and those with prams. Simon, the local butcher on the High Street, has started a campaign to have the sign moved elsewhere.
A former World’s Strongest Man title holder is in Chard this weekend. Magnús Ver Magnússon is considered one of the greatest strongmen of all time having won the World’s Strongest Man competition four times, in 1991, 1994, 1995 and 1996. He’s visiting Chard to judge the British Disabled Strongman and Strongwoman Competition 2023 which is being held at Holyrood Academy this coming Saturday and Sunday.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
New mums in Somerset could soon be offered a cervical screening test six weeks after giving birth. Police are asking for help in finding a Yeovil man wanted on recall to prison. The government has given half a million pounds towards planting more trees in Somerset, including 100 new trees in Yeovil...and more
Work continues to clean up from the floods in Chard, Ilminster, Somerton, South Petherton, and parts of Yeovil. A man who threatened to kill a support worker at the mental health unit in Yeovil has been sentenced to a community order. A competition that gives new musicians the chance to play at this year's Glastonbury festival has opened for entries...and more
A major incident has been declared by Somerset Council to ensure a multi-agency response to the flash flooding that's affected Chard, Crewkerne, Ilminster, South Petherton and parts of Yeovil. Police believe a 4x4 pick-up truck, found submerged in the River Yeo at Yeovilton at the weekend, may have been stolen. An appeal to raise £2 million to restore the Grand Organ at Wells Cathedral has raised over £1 million in less than 18 months...and more