Local News Wednesday 25th January

Wednesday, 25 January 2023 06:00

Avon and Somerset Police arrested 346 drivers during its Operation Tonic campaign over Christmas. More than five million pounds is being spent to turn land near Bruton into a nature reserve. Another local pub has closed blaming rising running costs for the shutdown. The Care Quality Commission has carried out an inspection of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and rated it as ‘good overall’. A Somerset youngster has joined the intellectual elite becoming Britain's youngest-ever member of Mensa...and more.

Avon and Somerset Police arrested 346 drivers during its Operation Tonic campaign over Christmas. 130 people were arrested for drug driving offences, which was an increase of 100 from last Christmas. All the arrests were made in the six weeks leading up to New Year's Eve.

More than five million pounds is being spent to turn land near Bruton into a nature reserve. Nearly five hundred acres have been bought by the Somerset charity Heal which has plans to create a reserve in every county in England.

Another local pub has closed blaming rising running costs for the shutdown. The Carpenters Arms in Chilthorne Domer near Yeovil, which was bought by new management 18 months ago, has closed until further notice.

The Care Quality Commission has carried out an inspection of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and rated it as ‘good overall’. The CQC assessed three core areas - including specialist community mental health services for children and young people. That jumped from requires improvement to outstanding.

A Somerset youngster has joined the intellectual elite becoming Britain's youngest-ever member of Mensa. Teddy Hobbs had taught himself to read and count to 100 in seven languages before his third birthday.

A major incident, declared a week ago due to flooding in Somerset, has been lifted. Water levels on the Somerset Levels and Moors have been reduced with enhanced pumping and drier weather. The environment agency says at one point it was pumping enough water to fill 3,000 Olympic size swimming pools every day.

The Fixy van, operated by Somerset Waste Partnership, is in Chard today. It’s parked outside the Guildhall in Fore Street for collecting unwanted items of tech equipment including computers, keyboards and laptops, parts from which will be reused.

A Gastropub near Ilminster has been named among the best 100 Gastropubs in the UK. The Barrington Boar at Barrington is run by husband and wife team, Alasdair Clifford and Victoria Collins and is described as a country pub offering "modern British cooking" and "refined comfort food".

More from News

Friday 1st May

A Yeovil man has pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour towards two female paramedics. Police in Chard are appealing for the public’s help following a spate of thefts in the Henson Park area of the town. Pet store chain, Jollyes, is opening a new branch in Yeovil... and more
Thursday 30th April

More than 4,500 people have expressed interest in joining a new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne. Somerset Council says a long-term solution is needed to make Hendford Hill in Yeovil fully safe for motorists. A Somerset man has won first prize at the World Marmalade Awards... and more
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