Thursday 4th April

    Fifteen million pounds could be spent on improvements to Yeovil's Octagon Theatre to get it reopened. A police officer with the Devon and Cornwall force, who lives in Ilminster, has been found not guilty of raping a woman. A woman who lives in Milborne Port has completed a seventy-seven-mile walk across India, re-creating a journey made by her grandfather in 1944...and more.

    Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre could have fifteen million pounds spent on improvements to get it reopened. Somerset Council had planned to spend thirty million upgrading the theatre that closed in April last year before deciding the scheme was no longer affordable. The Council now plans to spend half that amount on front-of-house and catering improvements, increased seating and a fly tower. However, the Council says the scheme depends on the Government allowing a grant of ten million, allocated to the original scheme, to be spent on the scaled-back work. If the Government gives the money, a further £3.75 million would be provided by Yeovil Town Council, who have agreed in principle to take over financial responsibility for running the Octagon when the upgrade has been completed. 

    A police officer with the Devon and Cornwall force, who lives in Ilminster, has been found not guilty of raping a woman. David Stansbury had been accused of sexually assaulting a woman at her home in Plymouth. Sergeant Stansbury had denied three counts of rape and was acquitted by a unanimous jury at Bristol Crown Court following a trial lasting three weeks. 

    Chard Town Council is spending £4,000 on a new children’s swing for a local park. The Council says the equipment, to be installed at Halcombe Park, is being paid for from funds set aside to replace faulty play equipment. Meanwhile, the Council says a new BMX track that it plans to build at Halcombe Park should be open within the next 12 months.

    A woman who lives in Milborne Port has completed a seventy-seven-mile walk across India, recreating a journey made by her grandfather in 1944. Charlotte Carty followed the same route as William Brown, when he walked from the village of Jessami to Kohima as Commander-in-Chief of the 1st Assam Regiment, helping to defend Kohima from Japanese attack in the Second World War, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.

    A famous dress created by a Somerset artist could be going back on display in Somerton. The Red Dress by Kirstie McLeod involved people from more than 50 countries contributing embroidery to help make it. Due to popular demand, ACE Arts is planning another exhibition of the Red Dress at its Somerton gallery.

    A Somerset charity is trying to raise fifteen thousand pounds for a new van. On Your Bike says it needs the van for community outreach work.

    More from News

    • 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

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Heavy rain shower

      High: 14°C | Low: 8°C

    • Chard

      Sunny intervals

      High: 14°C | Low: 8°C

    • Crewkerne

      Sunny intervals

      High: 14°C | Low: 8°C

    • Somerton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 15°C | Low: 9°C

    • Wincanton

      Heavy rain shower

      High: 15°C | Low: 8°C

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