Wednesday 14th August

Wednesday, 14 August 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Council has reaffirmed its commitment to upgrading Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre. A Somerset woman has appeared in court charged with murder. A music concert, held at St Mary's church in Chard, has raised £1,000 towards repairing the church's vandalised windows...and more.

Somerset Council has reaffirmed its commitment to upgrading Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre after councillors approved a new cultural strategy for the county. The theatre has been closed since April 2023, with the council voting to scrap spending £30 million extending the building and to keep it shut until a new business case has been agreed. It’s planned that when the Octagon re-opens, Yeovil Town Council will take over its running.

A Somerset woman has appeared in court charged with murder. Christine Kekkonen, of Dunsford Terrace in Baltonsborough, was appearing at Bristol Magistrates Court where she pleaded not guilty to the murder of Henri Kekkonen. She was remanded in custody and sent for trial at Bristol Crown Court.

Experts say people in Somerset were treated to the best meteor shower of the year earlier this week. Hundreds of shooting stars, known as a Perseid shower, were seen crossing over Somerset skies on Monday night. Local astronomy photographer, Josh Dury, says there are still more shooting stars that will be visible over Somerset over the weekend.

Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner, together with the Chief Constable and the Chief Crown Prosecutor for the West say they're appalled by the recent violence and disorder in the force area. They've written an open letter saying that anyone being violent under the guise of protest will face the full force of the law. They asked that anyone with any information about planned violence or disorder to contact Crime Stoppers.

A music concert, held at St Mary's church in Chard, has raised £1,000 towards the cost of repairing the church's vandalised windows. Another concert is planned for December, with a further £3,000 needed to complete the repairs.

More from News

Thursday 13th March

A new campaign has been launched to persuade people in Somerset to stop smoking. Four people have been arrested in Chard in connection with the supply of Class A drugs. A dog from Yeovil has won the title of ‘best in breed’ at Cruffs....and more.
Wednesday 12th March

A charity in Somerset is appealing for support after one of its sites was vandalised. The Leader of Somerset Council has been to Westminster to put the case for central government to provide councils with more money. A new primary school is to built in Chard.... and more
Tuesday 11th March

The union representing workers at Somerset Council is warning of further job cuts at the council next year. Secondary school pupils in Somerset are being offered help to withstand peer pressure to vape or smoke. The bells of St George's Church in Hinton St George have been fully restored after becoming difficult to ring ... and more
Monday 10th March

A property in Raglan Terrace in Yeovil has been closed down by a court order after it was linked to anti-social behaviour. NHS Somerset says investing in nurse apprenticeships has helped to boost recruitment. A new community garden has opened in Chard.... and more
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.