Chard and Ilminster News

Sat, 17 May 2025 09:19:00 +0100
Property of the week: An attractive detached family home
This attractive, detached family home occupies an elevated position on the northern fringes of Chard, around three-quarters of a mile from the town centre.

Sat, 17 May 2025 06:00:00 +0100
The ten best beer gardens in Somerset in 2025 named
As we enter the beer garden season, here is a list released by Muddy Stilettos of the top ten best Somerset pubs with great gardens in 2025.

Sat, 17 May 2025 06:00:00 +0100
Man who assaulted ex's parents was worried about daughter, court hears
 A Crewkerne man appeared in court for assaulting his ex's parents when he went round to check on his daughter.

Fri, 16 May 2025 14:37:07 +0100
Delays along the A303 between Ilminster Bypass and Yeovil
There are reports of delays along the A303 near the Ilminster Bypass, South Petherton and Yeovil.

Fri, 16 May 2025 11:59:58 +0100
New opposition leader on Somerset Council after reshuffle
The Conservative opposition group on Somerset Council have appointed a new leader following a reshuffle.

Fri, 16 May 2025 11:40:37 +0100
Former hair salon being redecorated to reopen as new store
An empty property in Ilminster Town Centre, Somerset, which was previously a hair salon, is currently being redecorated ready to reopen as a brand-new business.

Fri, 16 May 2025 11:10:00 +0100
Smell of smoke leads to property fire being discovered in middle of the night
Yeovil fire crews responded to a fire in the back garden of a property after reports of a fire alarm activating in the night.

Thu, 15 May 2025 14:06:01 +0100
Major collision between pedestrian and lorry leads to full police road closure
A major collision between a lorry and a pedestrian in Crewkerne, Somerset has resulted in a full police road closure and ambulance service attendance.

Thu, 15 May 2025 11:39:44 +0100
Most of Somerset below average for youth opportunity
Most areas of Somerset are below average for access to opportunity for disadvantaged young people, a new report by the Sutton Trust reveals.

Thu, 15 May 2025 05:00:00 +0100
Ilminster Literary Festival reveals line-up of notable speakers
Among the speakers is Felix Francis, the youngest son of the late jockey-turned-crime-thriller author Dick Francis.

Thu, 15 May 2025 05:00:00 +0100
Holyrood Academy in Chard announces first-ever Futures Festival
The festival will be open to the whole community and is aimed at providing people with insights into the career paths they can pursue.

Thu, 15 May 2025 15:02:28 +0100
Person hospitalised with 'life changing injuries' after lorry crash
A person has been hospitalised with "life changing injuries" following a "serious injury" collision between a lorry and a pedestrian in Crewkerne, Somerset.

Thu, 15 May 2025 10:36:15 +0100
Jethro’s iconic ‘J35 TER’ number plate heads to auction alongside personal collection
Stags Auctions is set to sell the personal belongings of the late comedian Geoffrey Rowe - better known to millions as Jethro.

Thu, 15 May 2025 06:00:00 +0100
Teenager on motorbike - with cocaine and cannabis in system - fled from police
A TEENAGER who fled the police on his motorbike while over the limit for cocaine and cannabis, was also found with a stash of the two drugs in his pocket.

Wed, 14 May 2025 05:00:00 +0100
Met Office forecasts warm and sunny week ahead for Chard
The Met Office has also warned of high UV levels throughout the week, so residents are advised to take necessary precautions when spending time outdoors.

Wed, 14 May 2025 05:00:00 +0100
Four care homes in Somerset to trial smart lighting systems to reduce falls
The initiative aims to improve resident safety by installing these systems in bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms over the next three years.

Wed, 14 May 2025 16:55:00 +0100
Somerset Council reacts to maternity unit closure at Yeovil District Hospital 
The Somerset Council have shared their concerns surrounding the announcement of the maternity unit closure at Yeovil District Hospital

Wed, 14 May 2025 14:10:00 +0100
Yeovil Town Centre could get 18 new housing units if plans are approved
Nearly 20 new residential units could be coming to Yeovil, Somerset if plans are approved by the Somerset Council.

Wed, 14 May 2025 11:52:14 +0100
Ilminster centenarian Bill Lawson passes away aged 104
Ilminster centenarian Bill Lawson, a local legend who served in the Second World War, has passed away aged 104.

Wed, 14 May 2025 10:53:38 +0100
Sale of council-owned properties provide £90m boost to authority
The sale of Somerset Council-owned properties has boosted the authority’s coffers to the tune of £90million in the 10 months to the end of this March, it has emerged, writes Phil Hill.

Wed, 14 May 2025 06:00:00 +0100
Chard and Ilminster Fish and Chip Shop of the Year 2025 named
The wait is finally over and the votes are in, and we can now reveal the official winner of the Chard and Ilminster News Fish and Chip Shop of the Year 2025.

Wed, 14 May 2025 06:00:00 +0100
Sex offender given suspended prison sentence for using dating app
A WINSHAM sex offender who engaged online with other males on a gay dating app using a fake name has been given a 16-week suspended prison sentence.

Tue, 13 May 2025 17:35:25 +0100
Yeovil Hospital's maternity unit to close due to concerns about care and safety
The Maternity Unit and Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) is temporarily closing at Yeovil Hospital due to concerns surrounding the safety and care provided for babies and children.

Tue, 13 May 2025 17:00:00 +0100
Bus services disrupted after road closes between Ilminster and Chard
The closure of a road between Ilminster and Chard is fully closed due to emergency works underway, leading to disruption to bus services.

Tue, 13 May 2025 15:04:45 +0100
Police dog handler career recognised with prestigious national award
An Avon and Somerset Police dog handler’s stellar career has been marked by a prestigious national award, writes Phil Hill.

Tue, 13 May 2025 13:05:58 +0100
Yeovil revealed as one of the cheapest Somerset areas to dine in
A new report has been released ranking some of the cheapest Somerset areas to dine in for a three-course meal in 2025.

Tue, 13 May 2025 11:31:03 +0100
Wheat strike reflects 'anger and desperation' of farmers, says EFRA chair
Alistair Carmichael, chair of EFRA, met with MP Adam Dance at the latest Farming & Country Focus Group in South Somerset.

Tue, 13 May 2025 11:02:10 +0100
Chair of EFRA meets with south Somerset farmers to discuss food security
Farmers in south Somerset heard from Alistair Carmichael, chair of EFRA committee, at the latest Farming & Country Focus Group, hosted by MP Adam Dance.

Tue, 13 May 2025 16:36:55 +0100
'Check your change': Your £2 coin could be worth £500 - how to spot
Experts have urged everyone to check their change and look for a rare £2 coin that could be worth a small fortune.

Tue, 13 May 2025 09:35:03 +0100
Petition to increase HMRC income tax threshold to £20,000 debated by MPs
A petition to raise the HMRC income tax personal allowance threshold from £12,570 to £20,000 been debated by MPs.

Tue, 13 May 2025 09:33:17 +0100
Top baby names for boys and girls revealed - what is the most popular where you live?
Experts have also predicted the top 30 baby names for 2025, based on the latest baby naming trends

Tue, 13 May 2025 09:31:20 +0100
Personal customer data stolen in M&S cyber attack, retailer confirms
Marks & Spencer said data had been accessed by the cyber criminals but said there was “no need for customers to take any action".

Mon, 12 May 2025 12:25:00 +0100
Dangerous, derelict Chard car park completely transformed
A once derelict and hazardous car park in Chard has been completely transformed thanks to swift community action and support from Somerset Council.

Mon, 12 May 2025 12:00:00 +0100
South Petherton pub named top Somerset pub for CAMRA 2025 Awards
A pub in South Petherton has been named in second place for Somerset CAMRA Pub of the Year 2025.

Mon, 12 May 2025 11:16:50 +0100
Water levels healthy after dry March and April
PEOPLE across Somerset are being urged not to waste water - despite the county's reservoirs and groundwater levels being in a "healthy position".

Sun, 11 May 2025 17:01:47 +0100
Huge property fire and large smoke plume leads to response from 11 fire stations
A large property fire near Shepton Mallet has resulted in Somerset fire crews from 11 fire stations rushing to the scene along with the National Grid services.

Sun, 11 May 2025 14:55:00 +0100
VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations across Somerset 2025
Communities across the country gathered to celebrate 80 years since VE Day, including residents from across Somerset.

Sun, 11 May 2025 13:00:00 +0100
Award-winning pub near Chard closes kitchen for two months
A popular, award-winning pub near Chard is on temporary opening hours with the kitchen closed for the next two months.

Sun, 11 May 2025 10:15:00 +0100
'A colourful spectacle': Ilminster Town Crier festival brings community together
Ilminster town centre was filled with colour and bell tolls as hordes of Criers competed for the title of best in Somerset and The West of England.

Sun, 11 May 2025 09:14:00 +0100
Take a look at this beautifully presented three-bedroom family home
This mid-terraced family home occupies an elevated position on the Blackdown View Estate on the fringes of Ilminster and with easy access to amenities.

Sat, 10 May 2025 05:00:00 +0100
Leonardo employee James Wan wins Reggie Brie Young Persons' Lecture
James Wan came out on top in the Yeovil Branch Reggie Brie Young Persons’ Lecture competition, with his presentation on aerospace innovation that begins with AI.

Sat, 10 May 2025 12:20:00 +0100
'Things are spiralling out of control': Councillor stands against Chard drug crime
A new initiative has launched in Chard to help tackle rising drug crimes after residents have repeatedly reported finding drug paraphernalia near their homes.

Sat, 10 May 2025 09:01:00 +0100
Charming country cottage in a peaceful location in the heart of the Blackdown Hills
This charming country cottage occupies grounds of 0.9 acres in a peaceful elevated location in the heart of the Blackdown Hills and to the north-west of Chard.

Sat, 10 May 2025 08:00:00 +0100
Camera club members go hunting for the hidden gems in Somerset
A gallery of photographs showing the hidden gems in Somerset

Sat, 10 May 2025 05:30:00 +0100
Somerset Council 'mystery item' features on BBC Bargain Hunt in 2023
Back in 2023, BBC Bargain Hunt featured an item from Somerset Council's heritage collection as the show's 'mystery item'.

Sat, 10 May 2025 05:00:00 +0100
Popular Chard youth service closes due to 'financial constraints'
The Chard Area Youth Committee will be closing due to "financial constraints" meaning a popular youth service will no longer be offered in the area.

Fri, 09 May 2025 05:00:00 +0100
Somerset cyclists don Y-fronts for 300-mile testicular cancer charity bike ride
The South West's only testicular cancer charity, It's in the Bag Cancer Support, organised the cycling event which took the riders from North Devon to Bristol.

Fri, 09 May 2025 15:05:00 +0100
VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations in South Somerset 2025
Communities across the country gathered on Thursday, May 8 to celebrate 80 years since VE Day, including residents from Chard, Ilminster and Crewkerne.

Fri, 09 May 2025 11:33:37 +0100
Crewkerne man given 24-year jail sentence for rape and assault offences
A Crewkerne, Somerset, man who raped and assaulted two women has been jailed for 24 years.

Fri, 09 May 2025 09:46:25 +0100
Somerset teacher died after driving into oncoming lorry on A303
A Somerset teacher took her own life by driving into an oncoming lorry on the A303, an inquest has heard.

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