Tuesday 12th November

    New figures have shown a sharp rise in crime in Chard in the last six months. A retired RAF pilot in Somerset has been speaking about the joys of being a foster parent at the age of 88. Councillor Pauline Parsons has been honoured for her 40 years service to the local community...and more

    Chard Neighbourhood Policing Team says it remains dedicated as ever to cracking down on crime, to make Chard a safer place for people to live, work and visit. It follows data showing that the highest number of crimes of the last three years were recorded in Chard between July and September. 516 crimes were recorded, a 13.2 per cent increase in the same period in 2023 when 362 crimes were recorded. Local people say the rise in crime has left them feeling unsafe, especially in the crime-hotspot areas like Silver Street, Jocelyn Park and Bishop's Court. Meanwhile, two people have been arrested following a burglary in Chard. A bank card was taken and later used to buy items at a local supermarket. A 63-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman, both arrested on suspicion of burglary, remain in police custody.

    NHS Somerset is calling on people to donate the gift of blood this Christmas. They’re asking people to book appointments in the lead-up to Christmas to avoid last December's results when the amount of donated blood was at its lowest for three years. NHS Somerset says it takes only one hour to give a pint of blood, with each donation saving or improving the lives of three people.

    Wessex Water has been fined half a million pounds for polluting a river and killing thousands of fish. The company admitted three failures in 2018, causing the deaths of two thousand fish, including endangered eels. Wessex Water says it has improved its systems to stop it from happening again.

    A retired RAF pilot in Somerset has been speaking about being a foster parent at the age of 88. Nigel, who’s believed to be the oldest foster carer in the County, has been providing a home for children awaiting long-term adoption for the last four years and has even been known to take those in his care to Glastonbury Festival. He says although it's hard work at his age but still enjoys doing it.

    Councillor Pauline Parons of Seavington St Michael Parish Council has been honoured for her forty years of service to the local community. Pauline, who’s stepping down as a councillor, gave four decades of service to Seavington St Michael Parish Council as both a member and clerk.

    A new accessible toilet has opened in the Quedam Shopping Centre in Yeovil. The facility, paid for through the government’s Changing Places Toilets Fund is designed to meet the needs of people with disabilities that limit their mobility. The new accessible toilet can be found in the Quedam opposite New Look.

    More from News

    • Thursday 11th December

      A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more

    • Wednesday 10th December

      Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more

    • Tuesday 9th December

      The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.

    • Monday 8th December

      Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more

    • Friday 5th December

      Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.

    • Thursday 4th December

      The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more

    • Wednesday 3rd December

      Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,

    • Tuesday 2nd December

      A 33-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a serious assault in Wincanton. Fire crews have dealt with a house fire in the village of Pitney. Plans have been submitted to redevelop Bridgwater Docks into a cultural and tourist destination. Ilminster's annual Christmas tree festival has opened in the town...and more

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Sunny intervals

      High: 12°C | Low: 8°C

    • Chard

      Low-level cloud

      High: 12°C | Low: 7°C

    • Crewkerne

      Low-level cloud

      High: 12°C | Low: 7°C

    • Somerton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 13°C | Low: 7°C

    • Wincanton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 12°C | Low: 7°C

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