A threat of closure that’s been hanging over Somerset’s minor injuries units has been lifted. More people than ever are working on the new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point. Cyclists travelling across Chard could soon enjoy a much safer ride under plans to complete a coast-to-coast cycle route through the West Country. A new 'super' national nature reserve is being created on the Somerset Levels and Moors and a Somerset cider producer has teamed up with one of the world’s largest whisky brands to create a new alcoholic product.
A threat of closure that’s been hanging over Somerset’s minor injuries units has been lifted. The county’s seven minor injuries units, including one in Chard, were due to shut and be replaced by the new GP community pharmacy service but in a statement, Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group, says the setting up of the new GP community pharmacy service will not lead to any MIU being closed down or replaced.
More people than ever are working on the new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point. More than seven-and-a-half thousand workers are on-site and another one thousand will join them this year. It means plenty of jobs for Somerset but there are also concerns the project is pushing up the cost of renting or buying a home in the local area.
Cyclists travelling across Chard could soon enjoy a much safer ride under plans to complete a coast-to-coast cycle route through the West Country. Sustrans cycle route 33, known as the Stop Line Way, runs for 75 miles from Weston-super-mare to Axminster, via Chard and Ilminster. South Somerset District Council area west committee has committed £12,000 to a new study to identify options for diverting the route off-road, which could be implemented by the new unitary Somerset Council that comes into being in April next year. The Stop Line Way is named after the Stop Taunton Line, built by the military in 1940 as a defence against a land invasion by German troops during the Second World War.
A new 'super' national nature reserve is being created on the Somerset Levels and Moors. It's only the second one of its kind and will see more than six thousand hectares form the 'Somerset Wetlands'. Seven organisations will oversee the reserve.
A Somerset cider producer has teamed up with one of the world’s largest whisky brands to create a new alcoholic product. Somerset Cider Brandy Company at Kingsbury Episcopi has joined forces with Glenfiddich to produce a new apple whisky.
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