Friday 1st November

Friday, 1 November 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Council is looking at new ways to ease traffic congestion on the A358 between Ilminster and Taunton. Bridgwater and Taunton College and Strode College in Street have announced plans to merge. The Westland Entertainment venue in Yeovil is selling tickets at £3 to make its shows more affordable for low-income families...and more

Somerset Council is looking at new ways to ease traffic congestion on the A358 between Ilminster and Taunton following the decision, announced in Wednesday's Budget, to cancel turning the road into a dual carriageway. The Council says it will shortly be submitting its proposals to National Highways. Somerset Council and various business groups had campaigned over many years for the A358 to be dualled, claiming it would give a major boost to Somerset’s economy.

Bridgwater and Taunton College and Strode College in Street have announced plans to merge. The Boards of Governors for both colleges have unanimously agreed to pursue the merger which will need final approval from the Secretary of State for Education.

A new series of the Hilary Mantel novel, Wolf Hall, which was filmed in Somerset, is soon to be shown by the BBC. The story, about the power, passion, and paranoia within the court of Henry the Eighth, was filmed at Montecute House, Barrington Court and Wells Cathedral.

The Westland Entertainment venue in Yeovil has announced a cut-price ticket offer to make shows more affordable for low-income families. The venue, now run by Yeovil Town Council, has launched an Accessible Ticket Scheme in partnership with social housing provider Abri, with tickets priced at just £3 to many of its shows and events.

A scheme’s been launched offering free swimming sessions to children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in Yeovil. The charity, Water Babies, is providing the sessions at no cost at the hydrotherapy pool at Fiveways School, with details of how to apply on the Water Babies website.

More from News

Thursday 5th February

The NHS in Somerset is the first in the country to trial an online self-referral service for breast cancer. The MET office has confirmed that January was the wettest in Somerset since 2014. The MET office has confirmed that January was the wettest in Somerset since 2014... and more
Wednesday 4th February

Somerset Council is asking the government for extra funds to pay for the damage caused by Storm Chandra. There’s been a setback to the campaign to reopen Chinnock Hollow. The Telegraph newspaper has named the Barrington Boar at Barrington in a list of the top 50 best pubs in the UK... and more
Tuesday 3rd February

Five flood warnings remain in place in Somerset covering the rivers Parrett, Yeo, Northmoor and Saltmoor. Somerset Council says it has no plans to demolish a derelict listed building near Chard Leisure Centre. A Yeovil farm shop has been honoured at a national awards ceremony... and more
Monday 2nd February

The Met Office has issued a warning of more heavy rain for Somerset. A survey by Somerset Council shows nearly two-thirds of households would be happy to pay more in council tax. Yeovil Town Council is offering free allotment spaces to support people’s wellbeing... and more
Friday 30th January

Data from the weather centre at RNAS Yeovilton shows rainfall in Somerset was almost double the average for January. A disabled man is taking Somerset Council to the High Court, claiming its council tax reduction scheme is discriminatory. Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard is seeking urgent support to replenish its stocks of hay... and more
Thursday 29th January

Somerset Council has warned that more homes are likely to flood with further heavy rain forecast to end the week. Discount retailer, The Original Factory Shop, which has an outlet in Crewkerne, has gone into administration. A Barista at Costa Coffee in Ilminster has won a place in the finals of a national competition...and more
Wednesday 28th January

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has announced plans to develop a new operational base on the Leonardo airfield in Yeovil. Several people have been rescued from their homes in Ilminster due to flooding. An £800,000 project is underway to restore two staircases at Montecute House...and more
Tuesday 27th January

Last week was the wettest seven-day period in Somerset for twelve years. NHS Somerset says it’s working towards making access to dental care fairer for all. A scout leader in Somerset has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to Young People...and more