Friday 15th November

Friday, 15 November 2024 05:00

By Steve Haigh

National Highways says the scheme to dual the A303 between Ilchester and Sparkford has been designed in the interests of motorists, horse riders, cyclists, and pedestrians. An investigation has been launched after a teenage girl was forced into a car in Wincanton. The number of children in Somerset being home-educated has nearly doubled since the Covid pandemic...and more

National Highways says the scheme to dual the A303 between Ilchester and Sparkford has been designed to benefit motorists, horse riders, cyclists, and pedestrians. Along the three-and-a-half-mile stretch of new highway, National Highways has included specially designed access points to make the area safer for horse riders, cyclists, and pedestrians.

An investigation has been launched after a teenage girl was forced into a car in Wincanton. It happened just after half past ten last Tuesday night. The girl was followed by a car near the junction of The Batch and Shadwell Lane. She was grabbed and bundled into the car but managed to escape and run away. The car is described as a dark-coloured, five-door hatchback. If you witnessed the incident or have information that would help the police, you’re asked to please call the non-emergency number 101.

The number of children in Somerset being home-educated has nearly doubled since the Covid pandemic. New data show that in the last four years, the number of children being home-schooled in Somerset has risen from 477 to nearly 900. The Children's Commissioner has expressed her shock at the figures, claiming it’s because children’s needs aren't being met by mainstream schools.

Glastonbury and Somerton MP Sarah Dyke has expressed disappointment over delays rolling out rural fibre broadband in parts of her constituency. Fibre installer, Airband, had aimed to deliver high-speed broadband to more than 55,000 premises in rural Somerset and Devon by the end of this year but now says only 27,000 premises will be connected. Speaking in the House of Commons, Sarah Dyke called on the government to ensure the interests of rural communities, that depend on broadband access for economic and social well-being, are properly listened to.

And, how would you fancy dressing up as Father Christmas to help set a world record? Clark’s Village in Street is planning an attempt on the record for the most Father Christmas skating on an ice rink at any one time, using the ice rink that has been opened for the festive season at the shopping outlet.

More from News

Friday 13th March

The first of the new medium lift helicopters being built by Leonardo in Yeovil for the RAF will be delivered in 2031. Somerset Council has launched a public consultation on planned new charges at its two hundred public car parks. More women in Somerset are said to be taking up walking football... and more
Thursday 12th March

A Yeovil headteacher says he’s concerned about plans to stop giving school holiday food vouchers to families on low incomes. The owner of Yeovil Town is calling on fans to be patient as he continues his overhaul of the National League side. A high voltage fault is being blamed for plunging 1700 homes into darkness in the Ilminster area... and more
Wednesday 11th March

Plans have been submitted to convert two properties in Yeovil into houses of multiple occupation. A new court date has been announced for a Yeovil man charged with attempted murder. An engineer who has worked at the Leonardo factory in Yeovil for 40-years has won a top industry award... and more
Tuesday 10th March

Police say a fire at the former Oscar Mayer food factory in Chard was started deliberately. Yeovil College says it would have been adversely affected had Leonardo not won the contract to build new medium-lift helicopters. A seven-foot dragon will be visiting towns and villages in our area during the next few weeks to promote Somerset Day... and more
Monday 9th March

Two Wildcat helicopters from 815 Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton have arrived in Cyprus to help protect RAF Akrotiri from further Iranian drone strikes. New figures show that 40 people were killed on Avon and Somerset’s roads in the last 12-months. A Somerset man has been recalling the day 60-years ago when he was a passenger on the last train on the Somerset and Dorset Railway... and more
Friday 6th March

Defence Minister Luke Pollard has been explaining why it took the government so long to confirm a contract for the Leonardo in Yeovil to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. Police are investigating a break in at a pet shop in Ilminster. Somerset Council is to stop using red ink on council tax reminder letters... and more
Thursday 5th March

Two military helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton are being sent to Cyprus to help bolster UK’s defences amid the US-Israel war with Iran. Yeovil Town Council is seeking legal advice over the closure of the hyper acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. Flood warnings have been lifted on the Somerset Levels... and more
Wednesday 4th March

A man has died in a fire in Wincanton. Somerset Council is planning further cuts of twenty-one million pounds to help balance its books. A campaign to raise £30,000 for a minibus has been launched in Chard... and more