Monday 6th January

Monday, 6 January 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Police are treating, as deliberate, a fire at the former Oscar Mayer factory in Chard. The owner of an American diner says her takings are down 75 percent since the opening of the new dual carriageway between Sparkford and Ilchester. Yeovil-born England women’s rugby union team captain, Marlie Packer, says she’d like to captain the national side at this year's World Cup series...and more.

Police are treating as deliberate a fire at the former Oscar Mayer factory in Chard. Crews from Chard and Ilminster dealt with the blaze on Furnham Road that broke out at lunchtime last Thursday. Anyone with information that might help the police is asked to call the non-emergency number 101.

The owner of an American diner says her takings are down 75 percent since the opening of the new dual carriageway between Sparkford and Ilchester. National Highways has promised to install new advertising boards on the A303 for Mattia Diner but the signs are not yet in place.

Plans for a new housing development in Yeovil originally turned down over concerns about traffic congestion and flooding, will now go ahead. Somerset Council has drooped its objections and agreed to the development of sixty new homes on land between Brimsmore Garden Centre and Yeovil Gospel Hall on Tintinhull Road.

Supporters of trail hunting in Somerset have criticised the Labour government for planning to ban the sport. Trail hunting was introduced as a more humane alternative to fox hunting. Labour claims it’s a smokescreen for illegal hunting but Ollie Hughes from the British Hound Sports Association says they see no reason to ban the sport.

Yeovil-born England’s women’s rugby union team captain, Marlie Packer, has been speaking about her hopes for 2025. Marlie, a former pupil at Bucklers Mead School in Yeovil, says she’d like to captain the national side at this year's World Cup series being played in the UK.

Somerset Ramblers Association has welcomed the decision to extend the deadline for registering public footpaths and rights of way. People now have until 2031 to have a public footpath and right of way, currently not registered, or mapped, protecting them from being built over.

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