Friday 24th November

Friday, 24 November 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A Police operation has resulted in 160 knives being taken off the streets in the Avon and Somerset force area. Ofsted says pupil suspension rates in Somerset are alarmingly high. It’s a big night for Christmas light switch-on events in South Somerset with Christmas lights being turned on in Wincanton, Ilminster and Crewkerne...and more.

A Police operation has resulted in 160 knives being taken off the streets in the Avon and Somerset force area. Officers carried out a range of engagement activities to encourage people not to carry knives or get involved in serious violence as part of Operation Sceptre.

Ofsted says pupil suspension rates in Somerset are alarmingly high. In their annual report, Ofsted says the national average for pupil suspensions is 7 per cent, while in Somerset it's above ten per cent. The rate of pupils missing school, or absenteeism, in Somerset is again above the national average by around two per cent.

The Manager of Yeovil’s Quedam Shopping Centre says longer-term guarantees are needed on business rates to help struggling retailers. Commenting on Wednesday’s Government Autumn Statement, James Tovey says an extension of 12 months in the 75 per cent discount on business rates was to be welcomed but didn’t give smaller businesses the ability to plan ahead.

Two lead members of Somerset Council have announced they will be stepping down from their executive roles at the end of the year. Tessa Munt and Mike Rigby will resign from their positions on the Executive but will continue as local councillors.

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust – which includes Yeovil Hospital - has issued an apology following yesterday’s news that up to two hundred people have had their hospital records inappropriately accessed by a member of staff. The Trust says the individual concerned, who no longer works for Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, accessed the records of people who were known to them over a period of six years. Avon and Somerset Police are currently conducting an investigation into the circumstances.

It’s a big night for Christmas light switch-ons in South Somerset. Christmas lights are being turned on in Wincanton, Ilminster and Crewkerne tonight. Tomorrow, it’s the turn of Chard to switch on their Christmas decorations.

More from News

Thursday 30th October

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
Wednesday 29th October

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.
Tuesday 28th October

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
Monday 27th October

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
Friday 24th October

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
Thursday 23rd October

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
Wednesday 22nd October

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 .
Tuesday 21st October

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