Local News Thursday 31st August

Thursday, 31 August 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Engineers have concluded that the weather rather than work laying a new pavement in the High Street in Yeovil has caused the War Memorial to lean. The UK's first artificial sports pitch made entirely from corn was laid at Preston School in Yeovil. Yeovil Town Council is appealing for help finding a time capsule...and more.

Structural engineers have concluded that the weather rather than work laying a new pavement in the High Street in Yeovil has caused the War Memorial to lean. Concerns were raised about the structure's safety shortly after work began in The Borough laying new pavement slabs. In a report, engineers say hydration within the stonework is the most likely reason why the upper section has developed a slight lean.

The UK's first artificial sports pitch made entirely out of corn has been laid at Preston School in Yeovil. It has cost nearly seven hundred thousand pounds and comes ahead of an expected ban in Europe on traditional 3G pitches that use microplastics.

A Somerset housing developer has welcomed plans to ease water pollution restrictions for new developments. Up to one hundred thousand new homes could be built by 2030 if EU rules around house building near waterways are loosened. Environmental groups have described the move as "disgraceful" but housing developer, Chris Winter, says the current regulations need to be changed.

The Somerset Building Preservation Trust has outlined plans to restore the old courthouse building in Chard. The Trust bought the lease to Number Nine Fore Street in May this year and through a programme of tailored repairs will give the building a new communal purpose.

Yeovil Town Council is trying to trace a time capsule believed to be buried under the Millennium Clock in Yeovil town centre. The capsule, containing items of Yeovil history, is thought to have been deposited in the clock's foundations when it was erected in 1999. The Town Council would like to hear from anyone who can shed light on the capsule's existence or anyone with photographs of the ceremony held to mark the capsule’s burial.

A date has been announced to open a new McDonald’s near Ilminster. The restaurant and drive-thru at the Southfields Enterprise Park off the A303 will open from Thursday, September 20th and has created sixty-five new jobs.

More from News

Thursday 17th April

The father of a one-month-old baby boy in Chard is to stand trial for the murder of his son. New figures show that just under 1300 crimes were reported to the Police in Yeovil during the final quarter of last year. A night in a prison cell is offered at Shepton Mallet Jail to those who want to be alone this Easter...and more.
Wednesday 16th April

Big changes are being made to where taxi ranks in Yeovil are located. Farmers are being told to keep an extra lookout for people acting suspiciously following the latest livestock theft near the Devon and Somerset border. Channel 4’s Location Location Location is coming to Somerset, with anyone looking to buy a property locally invited to apply to be in the show...and more
Tuesday 15th April

A 36-year-old man remains in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of a sexual assault in Yeovil. Yeovil Labour Club has had its drinks licence revoked. NHS Somerset has been taking its physiotherapy team around the county to cut waiting times for patients. A men-only cooking course has been launched in Sherborne with all ingredients and equipment provided free of charge...and more
Monday 14th April

A new banking hub has opened in Crewkerne. South Western Ambulance is asking people to only dial 999 in a life-threatening emergency over the Easter weekend. £1.8 million is being spent improving walking and cycling routes around a major new housing development at Up Mudford in Yeovil...and more
Friday 11th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident in Yeovil in which a man riding an e-bike was injured and later died in hospital. Somerset Fire and Rescue Service says the number of false alarm calls it receives is on the increase. A new micro-pub opens in Chard next week...and more
Thursday 10th April

Yeovil MP Adam Dance is calling for more targeted support for schools in Somerset. Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident near Wells in which a cyclist died. Plans have been approved to convert a former care home in Yeovil into a house of multiple occupation...and more
Wednesday 9th April

A man from Yeovil has been jailed for stabbing another man in a pub in the town. Work is underway to help minimize the flood risk at Chard Reservoir. Plans have been submitted to build thirty-six new homes at Sparkford. A new Town Crier is needed in Glastonbury...and more
Tuesday 8th April

Work is underway to demolish the Glovers Walk Shopping Centre in Yeovil. A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with drink driving for a third time. Somerset Council has paid £35,000 in compensation for failing to deliver the right support to children with special educational needs. Another shop in Yeovil town centre is closing for good today...and more