Friday 15th March

Friday, 15 March 2024 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Council says it's falling behind on its own targets in giving care assessments to those who need support. A Somerset vet has welcomed a review into the prices charged to pet owners for having their animals treated. A plaque has been unveiled, marking the 80th anniversary of when a US army aircraft crashed into the Mendip Hills, killing five American airmen...and more

Somerset Council says it's falling behind on its targets in giving care assessments to those who need support. Data shows that over 900 mainly elderly people have been left waiting for an assessment for more than the stipulated 28 days. The council is blaming rising demand and a shortage of staff for the backlog despite being given extra money by the government for adult care services.

A Somerset vet has welcomed a review into the prices charged to pet owners for their animals to be treated. The Competition and Markets Authority has been investigating what vets charge and says pet owners could be paying over the odds for medicines and prescriptions.

Gardeners in Somerset are being urged to go a bit softer on slugs and snails. The Royal Horticultural Society and the Wildlife Trust say slugs and snails play a vital role, and that indiscriminate treatments, like using slug pellets should be avoided.

A Somerset man is on his way to Ukraine this week, delivering aid and offering mental health support. Ben Allen from Barton St David says he’s worried people are forgetting what is happening in the war-torn country. He first went to Ukraine in March 2022, at the start of the conflict with Russia.

A plaque has been unveiled, marking the 80th anniversary of when a US Army aircraft crashed into the Mendip Hills, killing five American airmen. Five others survived the crash which happened during the second world war. Blagdon Local History Society organised the plaque with representatives from the US Air Force attending the ceremony.

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