Motorists in Somerset are being urged to have their eyes tested following a report claiming a quarter of people who should wear glasses behind the wheel are not doing so. The Head of Yeovil-based Screwfix wants to see more young people become electricians, plumbers and builders. Natural England has announced the launch of a new super National Nature Reserve across the Mendip Hills...and more.
Motorists in Somerset are being urged to have their eyes tested. It follows a report by the College of Optometrists that claims a quarter of people who should wear glasses behind the wheel are not doing so and are putting themselves, other road users, and pedestrians at risk.
The Head of Yeovil-based Screwfix claims a lack of tradespeople is holding back the economy. He says twelve billion pounds a year is being lost to the UK economy due to a shortage of tradespeople. CEO of Screwfix, John Mervett wants more encouragement given to younger people to learn a trade.
Natural England has announced the launch of a new super National Nature Reserve across the Mendip Hills in Somerset. It’s part of an initiative by King Charles to enhance biodiversity and nature recovery.
Latest figures from Ofcom show that 23,000 premises in Somerset and Devon are still not receiving a satisfactory mobile phone signal. The premises are in places known as ‘4G not-spots’. The government is currently providing £430,000 in funding through the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership to improve mobile reception across the two counties.
Somerset-based jockey Bryony Frost says she's hoping for more big titles as she heads into the new jump race season. Frost - who trains at Ditcheat with Paul Nicholls - became the first female jockey to win the King George Chase back in 2020.
The Eastbury Hotel in Sherborne has won a top award. In the Condé Nast Johansens awards The Eastbury came first in the Best Value Experience category.
Bird flu has been found at a nature reserve in Somerset, closing part of it down. St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset is calling for the hospice sector to be given more central funding. The Barrington Boar in Barrington has been placed 12th in The Good Food Guide’s list of 100 best pubs in Britain... and more
Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.
Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more
The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more
New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more
Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more
A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more
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Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid out compensation of £23 million for claims related to birth injuries. A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre...and more
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