THE fate of a controversial mobile phone mast near Wellington was hanging in the balance yesterday (Thursday). Orange started work on the site in Sampford Arundel last week, despite villagers fighting and winning a planning battle to stop it going up,
A FARMER from Hemyock has stepped down from the parish council after 40 years of service. Brian Clyst, 74, has been chairman of Hemyock Parish Council for 20 years, during which he has played a major part in the way the village has developed. He told
REGENERATION plans for Wellington's Corn Hill are progressing. At a meeting on Tuesday, Taunton Deane Council leader Cllr John Williams said the renewed interest in the historic shopping arcade showed his administration's commitment to Wellington. Speaking
A PARAPLEGIC Wellington man who took a prescription drug overdose after he was falsely suspected of deliberately flashing, left a poignant suicide note to his devoted father. Tony Cullen, 59, killed himself five days after a woman reported him to police
WELLINGTON'S industrial heritage could be at the heart of a tourist boom. Ambitious plans are afoot to restore the former Fox Bros site at Tone Mill and promote it as an exciting new heritage attraction of international importance. The cloth mill is on
THAT'S MORE LIKE IT GLOVERS! LDV VANS TROPHY FIRST ROUND YEOVIL TOWN 2, AFC BOURNEMOUTH 0 STEVE SOWDEN REPORTS FROM HUISH PARK YEOVIL Town's Jekyll and Hyde season in the Football League continued with a super win over Division Two outfit AFC Bournemouth
YEOVIL Town boss Gary Johnson has said that striker Adam Stansfield will get his chance in the Glovers' Football League adventure (writes Steve Sowden). There has been a growing call among supporters for Johnson to give Stansfield -- who returned to action
POSSIBLY Yeovil Town's most consistent performer this season to date, defender Roy O'Brien, has been ruled out of action for at least three weeks because of injury. O'Brien, who has made some telling contrib-utions this season, went off at half-time during
YEOVIL Town manager Gary Johnson has said that striker Kirk Jackson needs time to rediscover that vital goal-den confidence (writes Steve Sowden). Jackson has not been at his best in recent weeks and he was rested, or more probably dropped by Johnson,
DISAPPOINTING GLOVERS LOSE THAT CUTTING EDGE NATIONWIDE LEAGUE DIVISION THREE OXFORD UNITED 1, YEOVIL TOWN 0 STEVE SOWDEN REPORTS FROM THE KASSAM STADIUM THE omens did not look good when the ball fell fortuitously for Oxford United's Steve Basham and
BASEMENT side Yeovil Town Ladies did their best against South West Women's Combination League leaders Reading Royals on Sunday, but suffered a heavy 10-0 defeat. They did not threaten the in-form Reading side, although their best effort came from Carla
MAY I warn my fellow canines and other domestic animals to prepare for forthcoming attacks by rockets and other weapons of mass distraction? They're called fireworks, and intelligence reports and previous experience tell me they may start at any time
HAVING read the report of deputy council leader Joanna Lewin-Harris touring Taunton with the police last Saturday night to be "horrified" by the scale of drunken violence, what planet has she been on? Patronisingly, she says she has "absolutely no objection
MINEHEAD Barbarians Colts take the next step in this season's National Colts Cup tomorrow (Saturday) when they entertain Exeter Saracens. Following their impressive 32-0 victory over Taunton in the first round two weeks ago, the Barbarians go into this
A DONIFORD man who was more than twice over the drink-drive limit suffered "horrific injuries" after crashing his motorcycle into a wall. Paul Patton, 24, was not insured and was not wearing a crash helmet when the accident happened in the early hours
RAIL operators could run train services between Taunton and Minehead once the bridge over the Silk Mills level crossing is built. Signal work permitting main line trains to connect to the West Somerset Railway will be carried out as the level crossing
THE Waverley paddle steamer sails into Minehead harbour today (Friday) following the completion of the ship's £7million revamp. The famous vessel, which is the world's last sea-going paddle steamer, is returning to Minehead for one day only as part of
WELLINGTON'S industrial heritage could be at the heart of a tourist boom. Ambitious plans are afoot to restore the former Fox Bros site at Tone Mill and promote it as an exciting new heritage attraction of international importance. The cloth mill is on
UNISEX toilets in West Somerset will boost security for users, according to the company that is installing them around the district. At a meeting of West Somerset District Council on Monday, Swedish company Danfo updated members on the project to provide
SOMERSET supply teachers are invited to a special conference in Taunton later this month. Go-teaching, the supply teacher service created by Local Education Authorities across the South-West, is hosting the event solely for the county's supply teachers
REMEMBER, Remember the 5th of November - as Bonfire Night approaches Somerset Fire Brigade has issued guidelines on keeping safe. Traditionally, firework displays are held around the week of Bonfire Night, but more are holding unofficial displays which
TAUNTON'S Musgrove Park Hospital is fighting back against the antibiotic-resistant superbug MRSA, an inquest heard this week. Measures taken to combat the problem have seen the number of patients who catch the virus at Musgrove drop by well over ten per
NINE nurse cadets from Somerset have flown to Spain to learn more about the country's psychiatric health services. This week the cadets have been visiting a hospital clinic in Barcelona in a visit funded by fundraising events and local sponsorship. The
FAME Academy runners-up Carolynne Goode and Alistair Griffin will be visiting the new Yeovil-based Ivel FM studios later this month. Carolynne and Alistair, who were beaten in the final of BBC Television's musical talent show by Cornish girl Alex Parks
If you are interested in donating some time collecting for the Poppy Appeal from October 27 to November 8 go along to the Yeovil Ex Services and Social Club, formerly the Royal British Legion Club, in Preston Road, Yeovil, at 9pm on Tuesday, October 21
PUBLICANS in Wincanton have come together with police to make a night out in the town a safer experience. All eight pubs in Wincanton have joined a Pubwatch scheme which will see trouble makers in any of the town's bars banned from them all. Pubwatch
THE chairman of Yeovil Town Council's policy, resources and finance committee has said that the authority is 'simply exploring the possibility' of using an allotment site for much-needed affordable housing. Cllr Tony Lock said that the exercise into looking
THE curtain finally came down on the Yeovil-based Jonathan Hope Memorial Fund with an amazing party at Westland Leisure Complex. Yeovil man Jonathan died of skin cancer at the age of 24 and his family and friends were determined to raise money in his
VILLAGERS in Taunton Deane who buy their council houses could be forced to sell them to local people if they move. The proposal, which will be put to Taunton Deane Council's executive, is aimed at stopping outsiders snapping up bargain homes and pricing
POLICE in Taunton have made 30 arrests and seized Class A drugs in a major crackdown. An operation headed by officers from the Town Centre Team has targeted dealers and users in a concerted bid to rid the county town of its drugs menace. Seizures have
ANYONE who wants to spend a penny in Taunton could encounter a wee problem -- seven of the town's 18 public toilets have been closed until further notice. The loo lock-out follows problems with the cleaning contractors -- they haven't gone down the pan
TAUNTON'S Musgrove Park Hospital is fighting back against the antibiotic-resistant superbug MRSA, an inquest heard this week. Measures taken to combat the problem have seen the number of patients who catch the virus at Musgrove drop by well over ten per
YOUNG and old alike will flock to Taunton tomorrow (Saturday) for the fabulous Carnival celebrations. Taunton Carnival, sponsored by the Somerset County Gazette, features a fun-packed day and evening of entertainment set to draw 40,000 people. Youngsters
WE totally and utterly refute the accusations, innuendoes and mis-information which is given out by the Democratic Alliance Group, when putting forward the motion that any councillor, who is a Freemason should register the fact. As in all such cases the
MAY I warn my fellow canines and other domestic animals to prepare for forthcoming attacks by rockets and other weapons of mass distraction? They're called fireworks, and intelligence reports and previous experience tell me they may start at any time
THE idea of travelling on a Bank Holiday can be frightening, so while thoughts of a mini break watching wildlife in Botswana faded away I heard of a First bus from Taunton to Cornwall. You change buses at Exeter, but the Cornwall bus leaves from almost
HOLDERS Taunton Town have been drawn away to Nationwide League side Bristol City in the second round of the Somerset Premier Cup. The tie will be played in the week commencing Monday, November 25. Taunton, who received a bye to this round, defeated Yeovil
MILVERTON'S rector was honoured for his work with young people this week. The Rev Andrew Norris was among the first six people to be honoured by the Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Rt Rev Peter Price. He was nominated for his work with youth and children's
REHEARSALS are now under way for the award-winning Wellington Pantomime Group's 2004 production of Robinson Crusoe. Daniel Defoe's classic tale of shipwreck, solitude and friendship has a comedy twist, thanks to the wicked wit of scriptwriter John Morely
POLICE are on the lookout for marauding gatecrashers who raided a family party near Wellington, forcing the event to be cut short. The uninvited guests invaded a private function at the Beam Bridge Hotel, Sampford Arundel, late on Saturday evening, causing
WELLINGTON'S health services for older people and the mentally ill are set for a major shake-up under new proposals announced this week. Plans going before health chiefs on Monday include extra hospital beds in the town but the loss of some mental health
SHOULD the world of rock music be on the look out for the formation of a new band consisting of Yeovil Town FC footballers Terry Skiverton, Hugo Rodrigues and Colin Pluck? Fortunately not, but the trio of defenders were more than happy to pick up the
TROUBLE flared among visiting supporters and police and stewards at Huish Park on Tuesday evening during Yeovil Town FC's LDV Vans Trophy match with Bournemouth. The Nationwide League Division Two club brought somewhere in the region of 1,500 supporters
YEOVIL Town FC and the BBC have joined forces and teamed-up to launch a Poets in Residence scheme at the club in the search to find the first 'Bard of Huish.' BBC Somerset Sound has launched a search for fans who regularly find themselves waxing lyrical
The Yeovil Town Independent Supporters' Association is planning to run coach travel to the Glovers' Nationwide League Division Three fixtures at Cambridge United on October 25 and at Bury on November 1. Prices are £12 for members and £14 for non-members
YEOVIL Town fans will be able to get up close and personal with boss Gary Johnson later this month when the Glovers' hold a 'Meet the Manager Evening' at Huish Park. The event will be held in the Supporters' Bar at Huish Park on Wednesday, October 29,
A GROUP of Yeovil Town supporters has thrown its support behind the anti-racism in football campaign Kick It Out - with a strict warning to its members. The Yeovil Town Independent Supporters' Association has warned that if they receive substantial evidence
THE idea of travelling on a Bank Holiday can be frightening, so while thoughts of a mini break watching wildlife in Botswana faded away I heard of a First bus from Taunton to Cornwall. You change buses at Exeter, but the Cornwall bus leaves from almost
SOMERSET fast bowler Steffan Jones has joined Northamptonshire after seven seasons at the County Ground. Jones is believed to have been offered a two-year deal by Northants, after being given permission to leave Somerset. As the Somerset County Gazette
MINEHEAD Barbarians Colts take the next step in this season's National Colts Cup tomorrow (Saturday) when they entertain Exeter Saracens. Following their impressive 32-0 victory over Taunton in the first round two weeks ago, the Barbarians go into this
MINEHEAD manager Charlie Lewis was warning his side against over-confidence as they prepare to take on fellow Screwfix League Division One side Willand Rovers in the first round proper of the FA Vase at Irnham Road tomorrow. The Seasiders, who have excelled
AFTER reading adverse publicity about the NHS and hospitals I must say how lucky we are to have Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, the Deane Doctor service and especially my own GP, Dr Moyse at Creech Medical Centre, and all the staff there. On Saturday
MINEHEAD manager Charlie Lewis was warning his side against over-confidence as they prepare to take on fellow Screwfix League Division One side Willand Rovers in the first round proper of the FA Vase at Irnham Road tomorrow. The Seasiders, who have excelled
CONTROVERSIAL plans for a SureStart family centre in Williton will be approved next week, if district councillors follow the planning officer's recommendation. Despite a long-running protest from many villagers, West Somerset District Council's planning
WEST Somerset District Council bosses have been told to revise their spending wishlists or come up with new ideas on how to raise the cash to pay for them. The call came from finance chief Cllr Colin Hill at the West Somerset District Council cabinet
A MAN who had represented Great Britain at pigeon shooting suffered such serious injuries in a car crash that he may never be able to take part in the sport again, West Somerset magistrates were told last week. Drink-driver Anthony Hemming of Sunny Holme
A 20-YEAR-OLD Minehead man has been remanded in custody after a teenager was robbed at knifepoint in the town. The 15-year-old boy was allegedly threatened with a knife by an assailant in Townsend Road at about 7.50pm last Fri-day. The incident prompted
A PANTHER has been spotted on Exmoor. This week, a man contacted the Somerset County Gazette via our website saying he had seen a large black cat in Treborough. He said: "I was out walking on Saturday and clearly spotted what was a large black cat. It
WELLINGTON manager Dave Sheehan believes his side will soon be punished unless their first half performances improve. Tomorrow (Saturday) they take on Street at the Playing Field in Division One of the Screwfix League, and despite not conceding a goal
FIRST the bad news - supporters of the Albemarle Appeal who bought draw tickets with the chance of winning a car have failed to scoop the prize. Judges overseeing the results declared there were no winners in the competition to win a Toyota Yaris T Sports
RICHARD Huish College in Taunton will be hosting Somerset's largest ever careers fair next week to help new school leavers find out about future jobs. Employers, training providers, universities and colleges from across the county will be taking part
SOMERSET College of Arts and Technology in Taunton has been awarded the prestigious Charter Mark for customer service excellence in the public sector. The college's performance was matched against criteria relating to all aspects of the service it offers
YEOVIL Express chief reporter Steve Sowden joined local MP David Laws at the Ministry of Defence in London to hand over the petition we ran recently asking for next year's 60th anniversary of the historic D-Day Landings to be properly commemorated. More
THE Yeovil Express has teamed-up with the Royal British Legion in support of the campaign for more people to come forward and help with this year's Poppy Appeal. The Legion is attempting to recruit an army of poppy sellers in the Yeovil and South Somerset
A DERELICT Taunton factory, which has become a drugs den, could be bulldozed and transformed under proposals unveiled this week. Homes, shops and work units may be built on the site of the former egg packing station in Roman Road -- dubbed "a disgrace
TAUNTON Deane Council will look at ways of cutting back its bills next year after the leader admitted the authority was "spending beyond our means". Cllr John Williams (Con) told councillors on Tuesday the Deane was spending more than was coming in --
RAIL operators could run train services between Taunton and Minehead once the bridge over the Silk Mills level crossing is built. Signal work permitting main line trains to connect to the West Somerset Railway will be carried out as the level crossing
WITH reference to a report in last week's County Gazette, I wish to register my protest at the way some members of West Somerset District Council insinuate that Freemasonry is a secret society and has no place in modern society and that councillors who
WITH reference to a report in last week's County Gazette, I wish to register my protest at the way some members of West Somerset District Council insinuate that Freemasonry is a secret society and has no place in modern society and that councillors who
FORMER Taunton Town midfielder Chris Myers took over as new player-manager of Screwfix League side Dawlish Town this week -- on the advice of his ex-boss Russell Musker, writes Greg Jackson. Taunton's manager received a phone call from the Devon club,
