Thursday 25th January

Thursday, 25 January 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A motorist, found to be over the drink-drive limit, when he crashed his car near Castle Cary, killing his woman passenger, has been jailed. A new scheme has been launched in Somerset aimed at encouraging children to drink more water at school. A new teacher training centre could soon open in Yeovil...and more

A man, who was over the drink and drug drive limit when he crashed his car near Castle Cary, killing his woman passenger, has been jailed for seven years and nine months and banned from driving for ten years. Declan Jackson, aged 32, from Frome, crashed his car on the A371 on the outskirts of Castle Cary in March last year, killing Jossette Kemery. Jackson was also found to be driving whilst disqualified and without insurance.

A new scheme has been launched in Somerset aimed at encouraging children to drink more water while at school. The Health Team at Somerset Council is trying to persuade children to stop drinking fizzy drinks and to drink more water to stay healthy.

A new teacher training centre could soon open in Yeovil. Exeter University, who will deliver the training, aims to have the centre at Fiveways School in Victoria Road open by September.

A gun-maker in Somerton has been entered into the prestigious Guild of Master Craftsmen. Gareth Rule runs the business that was started by his father 60 years ago.

Somerset cider-maker Thatcher’s has lost a trademark court case against the supermarket chain Aldi. Thatcher’s claimed that Aldi's Taurus cloudy cider lemon drink infringed the trademark for its version of the drink but a judge at the High Court has decided there was no likelihood of the two drinks being confused.

Two local charities have benefitted from the generosity of Chard Freemasons. Cheques of £460 were presented to the Alzheimer’s Society and Chard and District Riding for the Disabled from money raised at events organised by members of the Prudence and Industry Lodge in Chard.

More from News

Friday 7th March

The Leader of Somerset Council has repeated his call for a reform of the way that councils are funded. Crimestoppers is stepping up efforts to help tackle violent crime in Somerset. A new radar satellite is playing a crucial role in collecting data about flooding in Somerset...and more
Thursday 6th March

Somerset Council has approved a seven-and-a-half percent increase in council tax. People are being asked to return boxes of paracetamol bought from Boots Chemists in Somerset. It’s been revealed that five members of staff at Somerset Council are being allowed to work from home outside the UK...and more
Wednesday 5th March

Somerset Council has been told that hundreds of millions of pounds in loans taken out by former district councils, including South Somerset, have to be paid back. A Somerset charity says it needs more volunteers to help with research into new treatments for dementia. A local shop owner has welcomed Somerset Council’s decision to scrap plans to charge for parking after 6 pm...and more.
Tuesday 4th March

The population of Somerset has reached record levels with nearly one in ten born outside the UK. Stanchester School in Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been rated as ‘requiring improvement’. Experts have been called in to appraise a 15th-century piece of artwork in Sherborne...and more.
Monday 3rd March

A woman from Crewkerne has been fined £280 for assaulting two emergency workers. Plans have been announced to open new NHS dental surgeries in Chard and Crewkerne. A Yeovil man has been thanked for raising £10,000 for the cardiac charity Heartbeat...and more
Friday 28th February

A local man has been charged after allegedly driving a tractor while under the influence of alcohol. One hundred bikes, collected with household waste in Somerset, have been donated to charity. The junction of the A37 Ilchester Road and Stiby Road in Yeovil will again shut this evening for resurfacing...and more.
Thursday 27th February

Fourteen hundred people have added their names to a petition against Somerset Council's plans to scrap free car parks. St Margaret’s Hospice has won a share of £25 million of government funding. A man from Charlton Adam is preparing to visit Ukraine as an Aid Worker for a tenth time...and more
Wednesday 26th February

A local man has been charged with possessing an air weapon following an incident in Yeovil town centre. The Labour government has removed funding to the Amulet Theatre in Shepton Mallet that the previous Conservative government had allocated. Entries are now open for this year’s Minster Miles 10K fun run with organisers aiming to exceed last year’s number of runners...and more.