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

Friday 14th November

Yeovil Hospital has introduced a new system for handling patients at its A&E department aimed at cutting waiting times. It’s claimed that an Iron Age settlement preserved under Somerset's wetlands for 2,000 years is facing erosion due to climate change. Montacute Road in Tintinhull will be closed for five days next week for repairs to a gas main.
Thursday 13th November

Workers at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil are taking part in a second day of strike action in their dispute over pay. Lloyds Bank has closed its branch in Chard permanently. A week-long programme of tree planting will be held at Ham Hill later this month to mark National Tree Week...and more
Wednesday 12th November

Workers belonging to the Unite union at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil begin a two-day strike today. Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, has been speaking in a parliamentary debate on improving dyslexia support in schools. South Western Ambulance Service is inviting applications for positions on its governing council...and more
Tuesday 11th November

Somerset residents are being urged to get a flu jab as cases of flu continue to rise. Seven horse saddles have been stolen in a break-in at a riding school in Queen Camel. Donations of children’s toys are needed for this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal...and more
Monday 10th November

It’s claimed Somerset Council has lost nearly £5 million selling the Marks and Spencer building in Yeovil. A car has been set on fire in a suspected arson attack in Shepton Mallet. A Crewkerne man says night-time noise from the town's Waitrose store is causing him and his family "sleep disturbance" ... and more.
Friday 7th November

A man from Yeovil has been jailed for eight years after being convicted of three counts of rape. Smoking rates in Somerset remain higher than in many other parts of the UK. Students at three schools in Yeovil have created a new shoe design for Clarks.
Thursday 6th November

The Supreme Court has ruled that building thousands of homes in Somerset has been "unlawfully held up". The Head of Holyrood Academy in Chard has described the building of a new primary school in the town as an ‘incredible opportunity’. A pub near Chard has been named one of the best in Britain by The Good Food Guide...and more
Wednesday 5th November

Members of the Unite union at Leonardo in Yeovil have called off a planned strike for today. South Western Railway says trains on the West of England Line will start running normally again at the end of the month. A memorial post box has been placed at the entrance to Crewkerne cemetery...and more.