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 22nd January

A new NHS diagnostic centre has opened in Yeovil. The go-ahead has been given to build a replacement school for Milford Junior School in Yeovil. A new 500-bed hotel-style campus is being planned to accommodate workers at the new Agratas car battery factory near Bridgwater...and more
Wednesday 21st January

Councillors have approved controversial plans to build four large carnival club sheds near Ilminster. Somerset Council says there's an increasing gap between the cost of education and the amount the government provides to run local schools. The Bridgwater Tidal Barrier, aimed at protecting homes and businesses from flooding, has been reduced in size...and more
Tuesday 20th January

Citizens Advice says thousands of people in Somerset have lost some or all of their council tax discount. The UK's first autonomous full-size helicopter, manufactured by Leonardo in Yeovil, has successfully completed its maiden flight. A new pharmacy has opened in Wincanton...and more
Monday 19th January

The government is facing increasing pressure to clarify whether it will order new medium-lift helicopters from Leonardo in Yeovil. Somerset Council is spending £5 million on new laptops. A new singing group is being set up in Yeovil for people living with dementia...and more
Friday 16th January

The go-ahead has been given to build 200 new homes at Ilchester. Taunton Town Council is increasing its share of the Council Tax by 3 per cent a year. Somerset is featured in a new Agatha Christie drama being shown on Netflix from this week...and more
Thursday 15th January

The company behind a proposed tidal lagoon between Watchet and Minehead says it could create up to eight thousand jobs. A third councillor on Somerset Council has joined Reform UK. St Margaret's Hospice says this year’s Christmas tree collection scheme raised forty-seven thousand pounds...and more.
Wednesday 14th January

The union representing workers at Leonardo in Yeovil says it needs a clear answer from the government on whether the Yeovil factory will be awarded a contract to build new medium-lift helicopters for the RAF. Somerset Council says more support will be provided to foster carers. A bird flu surveillance zone remains in place over the Somerset Levels...and more
Tuesday 13th January

The Government says it won’t bring forward a decision on buying new helicopters from Leonardo in Yeovil. A bird flu surveillance zone remains in place over the Somerset Levels. Yeovil’s temporary police station on Horsey Lane is to close at the end of the month....and more