Local News Wednesday 15th March

Wednesday, 15 March 2023 06:00

New road signs are being put up to advertise Yeovil as the “home of British helicopters”. Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard is closing for two weeks from next week for improvement works. A man’s been jailed after admitting to a number of shoplifting offences in Yeovil. National Highways will discuss the dualling of the A303 between Sparkford and Ilchester at a series of open events later this month...and more.

New road signs are being put up to advertise Yeovil as the “home of British helicopters”. South Somerset District Council has approved a request by Leonardo Helicopters to install the new signs on three of the main roads leading into the town. Leonardo says it will be paying for the signs to be installed and for their upkeep.

Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard is closing for two weeks from next week for improvement works. The centre is being upgraded to make it more accessible and wheelchair friendly.

A man’s been jailed after admitting to a number of shoplifting offences in Yeovil. Taunton Crown Court was told that David Bailey stole products, including cosmetics and electrical items, from shops in Yeovil on several occasions. Bailey pleaded guilty to four shoplifting offences, to taking a motor vehicle without consent and driving while disqualified, He was jailed for 18 weeks.

Another dental practice in Chard is closing. Chard House Dental Practice, on Leach Road, will shut at the end of April and has blamed the decision on a shortage of clinicians. It follows the announcement that MyDentist in Fore Street in Chard will close at the end of this month.

People in Chard have until next week to take part in a survey about shaping the town’s future. A Community Plan was launched last month to identify issues of importance to Chard residents, in particular, new ways to make the town greener and more attractive to shoppers. To comment on the plan go to the South Somerset website.

National Highways will discuss dualling the A303 between Sparkford and Ilchester at a series of open events later this month. Members of the Project Team will be at Haynes Motor Museum on Tuesday, March 28th and Friday, March 31st. Also, at Teals Farm Shop on Wednesday, March 29th and Thursday, March 30th to answer questions from residents and businesses who have been affected by the road widening scheme.

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