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.

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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.