Local News Wednesday 8th September

Wednesday, 8 September 2021 06:00

The trial continues at Taunton Crown Court today of former Leader of South Somerset District Council Ric Pallister. People are being asked to use the camera on their smartphones to help paramedics assess a person’s injuries before being taken to hospital. Ilminster is gearing up to host one of the largest town crier competitions in England. The return of Somerset Armed Forces Day has been announced, with a new celebrity face at the forefront of the event...and more.

The trial continues today (08-09) at Taunton Crown Court of former Leader of South Somerset District Council Ric Pallister. Mr Pallister, who led the district council for seven years, faces a total of 36 indecency charges, including indecent assault and indecency with a child. He denies all the charges that date from 1983 to 2004 and include multiple alleged offences involving girls under the age of 16.

People are being asked to use the camera on their smartphones to help paramedics assess a person’s injuries before being taken to hospital. South Western Ambulance says having a photo of the person’s injury would help medical staff work out the best treatment to give before patients arrive at hospital.

Ilminster is gearing up to host one of the largest town crier competitions in England. Twenty-two town criers will be in the Market Square in Ilminster on Saturday, September 18th, competing for a number of awards and trophies.

The return of Somerset Armed Forces Day has been announced, with a new celebrity face at the forefront of the event. Dragons Den star Deborah Meaden is the event's new champion and has pledged to help raise the profile of the event. Postponed for the past two years due to the pandemic, Armed Forces Day will take place next year on Saturday, July 2nd.

Churches in South Somerset have the chance of winning a top prize for the help they provided during the pandemic. The insurance firm, Ecclesiastical Insurance, is asking for stories about the help churches gave local people during lockdown for ‘The Good News’ competition that has a first prize of £7,500.

Three people in Chard have been presented with ‘Outstanding Service Awards’ by Chard Town Council. Bruce Crabb has been recognised for 42 years of service at Chard Cricket Club. Jonathan Moore for producing a video diary of Chard during the pandemic and Christine Smith for her work with the Chard Watch project. Jason Hawkes has been given the Mayor’s Annual Award for setting up an emergency response team that provided direct help to people in Chard during lockdown.

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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