Wednesday 8th November

Wednesday, 8 November 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

New figures suggest that 1-in-8 households in Somerset are in fuel poverty. A man has died in a house fire at Alhampton near Castle Cary. An Ilminster woman is walking across the Sahara Desert raising funds for a charity that helps people with drug addiction. People wanting to park at Castle Cary Railway Station will be able to use a new temporary car park from this week...and more.

New figures suggest that 1-in-8 households in Somerset are in fuel poverty. The Open Data Institute also found that the South West is one of the worst affected regions in the UK when it comes to households choosing between heating and eating.

A man has died in a house fire at Alhampton near Castle Cary. The man was pronounced dead at the scene following the blaze that broke out at around 8 a.m. on Monday, earlier this week.

People wanting to park at Castle Cary Railway Station will be able to use a new temporary car park from this week. Great Western Railway, who owns the site, say it's to ease parking problems locally in the run-up to Christmas but the car park will close again early in the New Year to allow for contractors to finish building it to eventually provide 200 new parking spaces.

A man has been arrested after a quantity of cannabis and £30,000 in cash was found in a property in Milborne Port. The raid was carried out after police traced the sender of a package of cannabis, discovered at Heathrow Airport, to the property address in Milborne Port.

Somerset Community Foundation has launched its annual Surviving Winter Appeal. The charity says it will be supporting around 800 older people with grants of up to £500 to help pay their fuel bills.

An Ilminster woman is currently walking across the Sahara Desert raising funds for a charity that helps people with a drug addiction. Sophi Unwin, who works at estate agents Greenslade Taylor Hunt in Ilminster, is walking a distance of 100 kilometres across the Sahara Desert, raising funds for the Nelson Trust.

Yeovil Town maintained their run of good results beating Torquay United 3-1 away at Plainmoor last night. The Glovers, who stay top of National League South, are now undefeated in 12 games.

More from News

Friday 12th December

The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.
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,