Wednesday 23rd October

Wednesday, 23 October 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A hoard of Norman coins, valued at £4.3 million, has been found in Somerset. A man has appeared in court after carrying out 24 separate shoplifting offences at a Chard supermarket. Two Somerset councils are considering a merger to save money. £3 million was spent by TV companies making films in Somerset last year...and more.

A hoard of Norman coins found in Somerset, dating back to the Norman Conquest, is to go on display at the British Museum followed by a tour of UK museums. The coins, found using metal detectors by seven finders in the Chew Valley in 2019 were later bought by South West Heritage Trust for £4.3 million, following a public appeal.

A man has appeared in court after carrying out 24 separate shoplifting offences at a Chard supermarket. Magistrates were told that Bradley Watson, aged 32, of no fixed address, stole the items valued at £4,250.00 from Sainsbury's to pay for drugs. Watson, who is also charged with breaking into Chard Rugby Club, will return to court on November 4th for sentencing.

£3 million was spent by film and TV companies making films in Somerset last year. Street and Shepton Mallet were two locations used for filming, including making Jilly Cooper’s blockbuster ‘Rivals’, currently showing on Disney Plus. Somerset Council says spending by film and TV companies supports jobs in the hotel and hospitality sector and, in the longer term, helps to boost tourism when Somerset is shown on screens.

Two Somerset councils are considering a merger to save money. If agreed, Langport Town Council and adjoining Huish Episcopi Parish Council will convert to one council. The proposal is out for consultation and those wanting to comment should contact Langport Town Council or Huish Episcopi Parish Council.

Horton Cross Nursing Home has been given a rating of "requires improvement" by the Care Quality Commission. In their report, the CQC rate the home "good" for being safe, caring, and responsive, but for being effective and well-led say improvements are required. Residents told inspectors they were "happy" at the home, while staff said they had confidence in the new management and were hopeful they would make the improvements needed.

Somerset Council is asking the public to name two new gritter lorries bought to help keep the County’s roads open this winter. Names suggested in an online poll include; Gritty Gritty Bang Bang, Spready Mercury, and Elsa. If you think you can do better, go to Somerset Council's website and enter your suggested name. Voting closes at 5 pm on Friday, October 25th.

More from News

Monday 10th February

A dog, stolen in Norfolk seven years ago, has been found 200 miles away safe and well in Somerset. A man who lives in Seavington St Michael near Ilminster has been jailed after driving a car at police officers. One hundred new affordable homes could be built near Langport...and more
Friday 7th February

A Yeovil man has been fined £1,200 for sending hostile text messages to his ex-wife. A report into the performance of Avon and Somerset Police has found it doesn't answer emergency calls quickly enough. Twenty-two swimmers at the Trident Swimming Club in Chard have won places in this year’s Somerset County Swimming Championships...and more
Thursday 6th February

A man has appeared in court charged with murdering a one-month-old baby boy in Chard. Kingfisher Primary School in Yeovil has been highly praised by Ofsted. Somerset Council says it’s “extremely disappointed” after its bid to form a devolved Wessex group of local councils was rejected by the government...and more.
Wednesday 5th February

The Liberal Democrat Leader of Somerset Council, Councillor Bill Revans, says they had no choice but to ask the government to allow them to lift the 5 percent cap on raising Council Tax. Two teenagers have been released on bail following the stabbing in Yeovil. More than six thousand pounds has been awarded to local groups by Chard Carnival Committee...and more.
Tuesday 4th February

Somerset has been permitted to increase its Council Tax share by 7.5 percent. An Ilminster man, forced out of his house by last week's floods, says he doesn't know when he will be able to return home. Ilminster Literary Festival has launched its annual children’s writing competition, designed to encourage local children to write creative literature...and more.
Monday 3rd February

Five men have appeared in court charged with the murder of a man in Yeovil. A 16-year-old is the second person to be arrested in connection with a stabbing in Yeovil. Yeovil’s new outdoor entertainment space in Lower Middle Street has been officially opened by the town’s MP... and more.
Friday 31st January

A teenager has been arrested following a stabbing in Yeovil. Water bills in Somerset are set to go up on average by £123 from April. Yeovil MP, Adam Dance will officially open Yeovil’s new outdoor performance space later today...and more
Thursday 30th January

Lloyds bank is closing its branch in Chard. A Sherborne man has been jailed after defrauding a Yeovil woman of £40,000. A volunteer group in Chard is urging people to sign up to a flood victims register. A councillor in Shepton Mallet has become the first Reform UK member on Somerset Council... and more