RED tape forced an Ilminster carnival club to cancel its monthly fundraising bingo this week. Harlequin CC has run prize bingo at Merriott Village Hall on the last Saturday of the month for several years. But the latest event - due to be held this Saturday
CRIME prevention experts from all over the country were in Chard on Wednesday to learn more about the pioneering Chard and Ilminster Community Justice Panel. They took part in a fact-finding conference all about restorative justice and heard how the
THE father of a young girl involved in a collision on a road in Chard last week has spoken out about how dangerous the streets are for children. As reported in the News, a girl and a car were involved in a collision on Furnham Road last Monday afternoon
CHARD'S second Girls Brigade celebrated the company's tenth birthday with a pink party. Everyone dressed in pink and enjoyed an evening of party games and pink food. Parents and friends were also on hand for the cutting of the pink birthday cake, followed
TESCO gave reassurances this week that a bench in memory of a popular Chard worker who died last year will be placed at the store next month. Trolleyman Graeme Scriven, 32, died of natural causes after collapsing at the store on April 10. Around 300
MOTORISTS in Chard, Ilminster and Crewkerne are being warned they will face tougher penalties if they are caught driving while on a mobile phone. From next Tuesday, February 27, the current £30 fine will increase to a £60 fine and three penalty points
LAST week's News feature about eyesores in Chard and Ilminster has provoked a strong reaction from readers. As part of our Pride In Our Towns campaign, we highlighted some of the worst sights in the two towns in a bid to get them tidied up. We also
THIS Thursday (February 22) sees Speaker Evening' at the club. Ron Champion from Paignton will give a slide show on Natural History - Wildlife' from 8pm at the Bell & Crown, Helliers Road, Chard. New members and guests will be made very welcome.
DAVID Laws MP is holding an Advice centre in Ilminster and Crewkerne to enable local people to speak to him personally about their problems. David will be at The Meeting House Arts Centre, East Street, Ilminster, on Saturday from 9-10am. And at Crewkerne
DISTRICT planners will tonight (Wednesday) be urged to approve a 24-home development of Ilminster's Lord Nelson pub site. Planning officer Andrew Gunn's report to South Somerset District Council's Area West committee recommends approving a scheme that
FRESH calls have been made to replace a post box at Post Office Lane in South Chard. As reported in the News, the box on Post Office Lane was removed just before Christmas due to the relocation of the new Post Office. Residents in the area were bemused
SOLAR panels could be popping up all over Somerset in a bid to protect the environment from climate change and save money on fuel bills. South Somerset District Council are looking into ways to reduce their carbon emissions after signing the Nottingham
CAMPAIGNERS this week welcomed news that Chard's new NHS dental practice is on track for a March opening. The three-dentist practice, based at Chard Business Park, will see over 5,000 patients when it opens early next month. People from Chard and Ilminster
MOBILE speed cameras will be operating in the area again this week. This Thursday (February 22) they will be on the A358 at both Hornsbury Mill and Donyatt, and on the A30 at both Cricket St Thomas and East Chinnock.
CHARD kart racer Derek Hunt was presented with the prestigious Matt Percy Trophy for Clubman of the year at the recent annual awards ceremony at the Clay Pigeon Kart Club. The circuit was the home club to Jenson Button in his early karting career and
BUSINESSES in Chard, Ilminster and Crewkerne may face major changes with the introduction of the smoking ban on July 1. Virtually all enclosed public places will become smoke free, and South Somerset District Council are urging businesses to be aware
*** Results from February 17 *** Jack Venn Cup Semi-finals: Dowlish & Donyatt 2, South Petherton Res 5; Millwey Rise 5, Shepton Beauchamp 0. Tommy Tabberer Cup Round 2: Norton Athletic v Hawkchurch (postponed). John Fowler Cup Semi-finals: Hinton St
CHARD are AWAY this Saturday (February 24) at Dawlish, and HOME for the rearranged Les Phillips Cup game against Bideford on Tuesday, February 27, with a 7.45pm kick off.
HEAVY rain in the week left the main pitch at Essex Close in poor condition which resulted in the Somerset Premier league match against Old Redcliffians being postponed. THIS Saturday (February 24), Chard 1st XV are away at Midsomer Norton in a Somerset
THIS was quite a fiery encounter which the referee found difficult to manage but fortunately the old uns' in the Chard side kept things in check and led their side to a deserved victory. Chard played down the slope in the first half and went ahead with
Bournemouth 27pts, Chard 2nd XI 5pts CHARD had a very lightweight pack of forwards and as a result Bournemouth exploited this weakness in the Chard side and got away to a great start by scoring three early tries by driving the Chard side back over their
Results at February 12 Knockout Cup: Bell Aftershocks 274 (P. Lawrence 43), Magpies 297 (M. Cox 47); Tree Rats 284 (A. Deeley 45), Jockeys 292 (S. Crimp 53); Golden Boys 303 (S. Parker 46), Partistes 329 (T. Ward 56). League: Club Jokers 285-1 (R. Daniels
Results at February 14 Ghostbusters 245 (D. Ellis 42), Rainbows 217 (J. Haines 42); Furnham Floppers 271 (S. Dopson 54), Corkys Corkers 257 (K. Bazley 45); Housemartins 201 (K. Ayres 39), Woodentops 207 (J. Childs 40); Wanderers 265 (L. Brown/D. Burgess
Somerton started brightly with Chard defending but it was the home side that had the first chance of the day when Luke Paul's corner was headed just over from Tom Symes. Somerton attacked the Chard goal and on ten minutes went 1-0 up. Chard's midfield
Results at February 11 Division 1: Slippery When Wet 9, Survivors 6; Fenix Finest 9, Madmen 6; Dirty Dogs 6, Super 6 9; Happy Go Lucky 5, Get It On 10; UFOs 5, Armadillos 10. Workies Bye. Division 2: Wyndham Shooters 12, Dolphin Divers 3; Howley Howlers
WINDWHISTLE Golf Club's ladies section were spared the snow for their match on February 8. The morning was sunny as the ladies set out to play a fun competition, three clubs and a putter', which called for some deliberations as golfers usually carry
The History of the East End of London was the subject of a recent talk by Terry Bown, a retired Metropolitan Police Officer, to Chard History Group. Terry left Bridport aged 16 in 1961 to join the police as a cadet in Tower Hamlets. He remained there
Results at February 14 Bellzown 322 (J. Southgate 48), Bass Boys 333 (S. Cockram 48); Floppers 349 (R. Norris 60), Brewers 364 (N. Heselton 53); Countrymen 358 (R. Every/P. Loveless 53), The Boys 362 (B. Willmott/F. Denning/R. Criddle 47); Missionaries
Results at February 16 Division 1: Bell A 331-3 (G. Lawrence 47), New Rovers 333-9 (M. Lee/M. Lee 46); Crown Faces 355-11 (K. White 59), Nomads 312-1 (I. Miller/K. Crouch/K. Keitch 41); Flying Turkeys 382-9 (M. Williams 58), Wyndham Arms 357-3 (T. Stone
IT is always pleasing to read letters complimenting Chard Council staff on their dedication to the town, and none less than Alan Horne who has given long and loyal service to the townsfolk of Chard. However, I would like to make it clear that this Town
Results at February 16 Division 1: Bell Builders 363-3 (J. Whittaker 57), Swillers 377-9 (C. Lovell 53); Roosters 439-11 (A. Lee/S. Lee 59), Helmets 383-1 (J. Stringer 51); Drifters 327-11 (P. Wills 46), Beavers 313-1 (Banjo 49); Brewers Bollex 332-2
Three planning applications had been circulated before the February meeting, and the councillors' commented as follows. The councillors approved of the concept of four B&B units instead of six at the Duke of York, but requested a restriction that the
Results as at February 16 Division 1: Barrington Oak 259 (L. Lane 53), Wyndham Wobblers 264 (L. Minchinton 52); Duke of York A 210 (D. Goddard 39), Bell A B'way 202 (L. Swain 42); Lamb & Lion 221 (B. McKay 40), The Acorns 235 (T. Hoskin 52). Division
THE next meeting of Somerset Wildlife Trust Ilminster/Chard group will take place at 7.30pm this Friday, February 23 in the Ilminster Parish Hall, North Street. Michael Jordan, founder/chairman of the Association of British Fungus Groups, will give an
IT was another busy week at Donyatt Bowling Club with all the leagues taking place. The exception was the Ladies Wednesday Afternoon League which was postponed so that a six-rink mixed friendly could be played against a team from Sussex County Bowling
WINNERS in the Harlequin Carnival Club 200 Club draw in January were D. Retter (£20), M. Bird (£10), J. Williams, D. Cousins, M. Bird and M. Jenkins (£5 each). The February winners were L. Thomas (£20), B. Barrett (£10), J. May, P. Retter, D. Gumbleton
VICE chairman of Chard Ladies Evening Guild, Linda Croton, welcomed 51 members and one visitor to the February meeting in the Guildhall. Flowers were presented to Kay Fenton for her 80th birthday and a good luck card had been sent to Otterford and Bishopswood
PEOPLE living on an estate in Chard have taken to the streets in protest against on street parking. Residents in Mitchell Gardens have had enough of people parking outside their houses and lined the streets in a bid to drive people to Crowshute car park
CAMPAIGNERS were overjoyed this week as long-awaited plans to redevelop South Petherton Hospital are set to be approved on Wednesday. The future of the hospital has been in doubt since its two inpatient wards closed in 2004 because of structural damage
CHARD Town went down 2-0 at Odd Down on Saturday in the Premier Division of the Toolstation Western League.
CHARD Bowling Club's short mat sectional entertained North Curry in a friendly match on February 16. The visitors proved too strong for Chard, winning 46-33, but despite this everyone enjoyed themselves. Team: D. Leech, G. Leighton, R. Genge 4-21; D
ON Sunday, Ilminster played against Bristol Indoor Bowling Club in the Somerset County League First Division and lost a very close game by six shots. The final score was Ilminster 66, Bristol 72, Ilminster winning on one rink away and losing on the other
THIS was a well deserved victory for Chard who have been struggling in their division this season. Much credit for the success must go to the midfield duo of Ian Mooney and Vince Sharp, playing his first game for Chard. They controlled the middle of
CHARD have now gone 12 games unbeaten, and in doing so, maintained first place in the league. In their previous encounter, Chard found Ottery extremely hard to break down, and expected much of the same from their opponents. The final scoreline did not
A GOAL three minutes from time condemned Chard to a fourth straight defeat after a performance which merited them a share of the spoils. Captain Alan Cheffey had rung the changes in search of a formula to restore the team to winning ways, moving himself
CHARD played host to Beaminster and had to produce a strong battling performance to overcome the visitors. They found themselves two goals behind after 20 minutes of play but pulled one back just before half time with a goal from Emily Kelly. In the
Merriott Youth Girls U-12 5, Wincanton 1 MERRIOTT entertained Wincanton on Saturday, playing down hill in the first half. Merriott soon went into a two goal lead through Holly Wyatt and Megan Purchase with good attacking football. Wincanton soon pulled
THE Ilminster and District Twinning Association annual meeting was held on February 13 at Swanmead Community School, Ilminster. Some 25 members were in attendance and were greeted with a glass of wine served by Steve Peasland. A living meeting ensured
GLOVERS triumphed in this entertaining encounter against an extremely competent Feniton side. The game was very open with both sides looking to attack but it was Callum Larcombe and Jake Sweet who both put in excellent performances in defence, which
LOSING the first choice centre back pairing through sickness was far from ideal against the unbeaten league leaders however Nathan Finn and Adam Barrett filled in superbly. Despite only creating two first half chances Avishayes tackled hard to prevent
ILMINSTER produced a good performance in their last league game of the season. Before Aaron Spooner opened the scoring, Ilminster had hit the post twice and the crossbar once. They kept the pressure on with some good passing moves and shots at goal.
PERRY Street opened the scoring with Owen Richards finishing well after an impressive run down the left. Sam Bond spun in the box and fired home Perry Street's second. Merriott replied within a minute and it remained 2-1 at half time. Perry Street's
THIS friendly fixture was played in a great spirit. Avishayes opened the scoring when good work by Neil Parkes and Owen Richardson found Timothy Pedlar is space who then cut infield and buried the ball into the net. Scott Jakeman doubled the score soon
PLAYING on a heavy pitch the Rovers team found the game tough going, the home side playing down the slope in the first half had far the better of ball however strong defence work by Andrè Anjos and Nathan Johnson limited the home sides chances. Pynsent
IT could have gone either way in this nine-goal thriller. The Dolphins started the better of the two teams and it didn't take long before they went one goal up with Connor Morgan scoring superbly. It stayed at 1-0 until early in the second half when
THE local produce market will be held this Saturday, February 24, from 10am-12 noon in the village hall, and then monthly on fourth Saturday of each month. Various stalls, plus a community stall for village Ring-a-Ride. Come and see, its free! Coffee
Results at February 12 Choughs Dragons 341-3 (M. Mears 50), 3Cs 349-9 (T. McCormick 52); Lucky Lads 406-2 (T. Hardiman 58), Furnham Strikers 458-10 (M. Hickley 70); Snoopy 409-9 (A. Finn 70), Shipwrecks 395-3 (J. Hodges 65); Phoenix 363-10 (M. Druce
