Chard and Ilminster News

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 05:00:00 +0000
Somerset charity expands team to support newly launched programme
Don Farmer brings significant experience from the youth education sector, having worked on student inclusion, pastoral support, and learning coordination.

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 05:00:00 +0000
Former police and crime commissioner takes on new military board role
Mark Shelford has taken on the role of county board member for Somerset at the Wessex Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Association (RFCA).

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 05:00:00 +0000
Somerset firm backs Great South West Partnership's economic growth drive
This comes after the government's consultation on pan-regional partnerships received more submissions from the South West than any other English region.

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 05:00:00 +0000
Yeovil groundsman urges public to celebrate outdoor sport's 'unsung heroes'
Rodney has called on people across the town to show their appreciation for the team who work tirelessly to maintain the outdoor spaces for everyone.

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 08:00:00 +0000
New Chard solar farm approved for Numatic
One of Chard’s main employers will soon be powered by green energy after plans for a new solar farm were approved.

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 07:00:00 +0000
Ilminster Station Road footway will be closing for urgent repairs for five days
Ilminster Town Council have reported that Station Road footway, in Horton and Ilminster will be closing for urgent leak repairs for a total of five days.

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0000
Convicted sex offender kept past a secret from new partner, court hears
A CONVICTED sex offender who kept his past a secret from his new partner is to be sentenced at Taunton Crown Court this month after admitting breaching his notification requirements.

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0000
In court: Woman caught drug driving blames cannabis cakes from gig
A LIMINGTON woman who was caught drug-driving on her way home from a rock concert in Lyme Regis blamed her downfall on some cannabis cakes she ate at the gig.

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 05:00:00 +0000
Fundraising appeal launched to replace Somerset community group's cooker
The cooker allows the group to support healthy eating and social connection through daily lunches it prepares.

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 05:00:00 +0000
Yeovil author set to release debut novel Mister Nakagami in May
Jade Black, a part-time law student from Yeovil, will have her first book published by Shadow Spark Publishing on Tuesday, May 27.

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 12:45:00 +0000
Ilminster property could become new off-license store
A property in Ilminster is set to become a new convenience store and off-license with permissions sought for a new illuminated sign on the front of the building.

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 11:31:45 +0000
Police seeking witnesses after man is assaulted in Chard
Police are seeking witnesses after a glass bottle was involved in an assault on a man in a park in Chard.

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 10:38:40 +0000
National Express services suspended after incident at London Heathrow
People planning to go on holiday and expecting to arrive at London Heathrow Airport have been dealt a massive blow today (Friday, March 21).

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 07:30:00 +0000
Chew Valley named the best place to live in the southwest by the Sunday Times
The best place to live in the south west has been revealed to be a Somerset village in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide.

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0000
In the dock: Yeovil man three times over drink drive limit ploughs car into fence
A YEOVIL man who was more than three times the drink drive limit when he drove across a footpath and ploughed his car into a fence has been given a two-year driving ban and ordered to carry out 180 hours unpaid work.

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 05:00:00 +0000
Yeovil-raised rotor technology expert recognised with award
The Vertical Flight Society presented Simon with an award for his "extraordinary work on vertical flight" at the RAF Club in London.

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 05:00:00 +0000
Somerset church celebrates completion of bell restoration project
The event at St George's Church in Hinton St George took place on Saturday, March 15.

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 05:00:00 +0000
New High Sheriff of Somerset visits Leonardo Helicopters
Ms Montgomery pointed out how unprecedented pressures mean that traditional youth development resources can’t always be stretched to reach every young person.

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 05:00:00 +0000
Somerset school wins competition to name new road gritter
Somerset Council and its highways contractor Kier held a competition for local schools to name two new road gritters which have joined the fleet.

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 05:00:00 +0000
Former Somerset dairy farm transformed into dragonfly haven
A recent study published on the Wyke Farm website shows there has been a large influx of dragonflies to the new lake and series of ponds created.

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 15:20:00 +0000
Merriott business named finalist for the 2025 Somerset Business Awards
The finalists have been announced for the Somerset Business Awards 2025 after a rigorous judging process and a Merriott business has been named in the list.

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 15:14:22 +0000
Change in legal advice on phosphates may unlock thousands of homes
Thousands of homes across Somerset could be unlocked in the next few years following a change in the legal advice surrounding phosphate mitigation.

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 14:50:58 +0000
'Miracle escape': When two Chard people survived a 'terrifying' minibus crash
Twenty years ago, survivors of a "terrifying" minibus crash, which left several people from Chard with serious injuries, say their lives were saved by their seatbelts.

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 14:19:14 +0000
Stolen items seized by police added to online gallery
Avon and Somerset Police has added more images to its online gallery of seized property. 

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 11:40:16 +0000
‘The displays are the best’: Cheque provided to Ilminster Christmas Lights Chairman
The Ilminster and District Lions presented the Chairman of the Ilminster Christmas Lights a cheque to support the 2025 display.

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 13:50:16 +0000
DWP £50 fine warning to everyone on Universal Credit and other benefits
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has the power to impose a fine on benefit claimants, including those receiving Universal Credit

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 05:00:00 +0000
Yeovil primary school to host 'inspirational' Commonwealth Games athlete
Students will be put through their paces in a fitness circuit hosted by the British high jumper.

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 05:00:00 +0000
Afternoon tea party with live music to take place in Chard
The event will take place on Friday, March 21, from 3pm to 5.30pm and is open to the community.

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 05:00:00 +0000
Met Office forecasts sun, cloud, and showers for Chard this week
The Met Office has forecast a mix of sun, cloud, and rain for Chard over the coming days.

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 05:00:00 +0000
Chard Tennis Club A team wins Yeovil winter league title
The new season is set to begin in April, with the men's, ladies', and mixed doubles teams aiming for more victories in the summer league.

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 13:35:00 +0000
Somerset people wanted for award-winning Netflix and Channel 5 TV show
An award-winning Channel Five and Netflix TV Show is currently seeking people from the Somerset area to take part its tenth series.

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 11:15:43 +0000
Octagon Theatre opening delayed until 2027
The Octagon Theatre in Yeovil town centre may not reopen until early-2027, Somerset Council has confirmed.

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 09:53:36 +0000
Change up your diet with protein-packed seafood pancakes
Seafood pancakes are an excellent source of protein, as well as a cost-effective option for filling up the family.

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0000
In the dock: Chard woman disqualified from driving for 22 months
A WOMAN from Chard has been disqualified from driving for 22 months for drug driving and using a vehicle without third party insurance.

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 16:05:10 +0000
Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond to return for new Grand Tour
Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond will appear in a new Amazon Prime series entitled: The Not Very Grand Tour.

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 12:38:02 +0000
Changes to TV Licence fees could see wealthier homes paying more for BBC
The suggestion, by the BBC’s new chairman, comes as Lisa Nandy considers alternatives to the current TV Licence

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 12:34:33 +0000
Santander announces plans to shut 95 bank branches putting 750 jobs at risk
Santander said it was shutting the branches in June, while also cutting hours across 36 sites and switching 18 to be counter-free

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 09:46:08 +0000
Little Beeches Nursery celebrates 'Good' Ofsted report
Little Beeches Nursery, located at Maiden Beech Academy in Crewkerne, has received a glowing inspection report from Ofsted.

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 07:00:00 +0000
'Idyllic' Somerset holiday home named among the best in the UK for 2025
A cottage near the town of Chard, Somerset, has been named among Vrbo's best holiday homes for 2025

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 16:26:30 +0000
Chard GP to relocate doctors' surgeries after 'structural damage'
One of Chard’s two doctors’ surgeries will have to relocate all appointments to another site due to “structural damage” at its current base.

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 11:53:03 +0000
Chard residents forced to rely on battery-powered internet
Chard residents are having to rely on battery-powered broadband until the final stage of repairs to a damaged cabinet can be carried out.

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 10:55:57 +0000
Somerset incident near train station results in one death, police confirm
British Transport Police have confirmed a person has died following an incident on the line near Yeovil Pen Mill railway station, Somerset.

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 09:47:03 +0000
'We’re excited to offer something a bit different': New vape shop opens in Chard
A new vape shop has opened in Chard this week on the High Street, offering exclusive opening day offers for their first customers.

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 10:19:24 +0000
How this 35p ingredient found in almost every home can stop your food going off
See how this 35p ingredient found in nearly every household in the UK can stop your food going bad.

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 10:18:01 +0000
Cost of pothole damage rises to £1.7bn as millions face £300 repair costs
More than one million drivers have had to stump up more than £300 to repair the damage, while the average cost to fix pothole damage has risen to £144

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 10:15:57 +0000
Drivers warned of £100 fine over little known supermarket rule
Supermarket car parks sit on private land, with rules often enforced in the form of Parking Charge Notices (PCNs), which can run from around £40 to £100

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 17:07:33 +0000
Avon and Somerset Police gains 14 new detectives
The recruits graduated from Police Now’s national training academy on Monday, March 17, and will join specialist teams across policing — with 14 detectives heading to Somerset.

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 10:57:32 +0000
Southwest prisons 'crowded' with prisoners sharing cells
The Government’s January 2025 prison population figures show "crowding" in HMP Bristol, HMP Exeter, and HMP Channings Wood — with populations greater than the number of cells available.

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 11:44:33 +0000
End of exemption from vehicle excise duty to 'discourage' move to electric cars
Auto Trader has warned that the new car tax rule seeing an end to an exemption from vehicle excise duty could see fewer people buying electric cars.

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 11:30:00 +0000
Emergency incident in Chard results in person hospitalised
An incident occurred in Chard High Street resulting in emergency service response and a patient hospitalised in Taunton.

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