Local News Friday 23rd September

Friday, 23 September 2022 06:00

Somerset County Council is to end its lease agreement on renting Dillington House, near Ilminster. The Falkland Square shopping centre in Crewkerne has a new owner. There’ll be no fireworks display at Sherborne Castle this year. Somerset County Council says it’s expecting more care homes to shut this winter because of rising costs and staff shortages. Wessex Water is undertaking water main works on two roads in Chard and Ilminster later this month...and more.

Somerset County Council is to end its lease agreement on renting Dillington House, near Ilminster. The council has been a tenant at the stately home since the 1960s using it for adult education and weddings. Somerset County Council says it’s pulling out because it can no longer justify the costs involved in subsidising the running of the venue.

The Falkland Square shopping centre in Crewkerne has a new owner. The complex that consists of eleven retail units has been acquired by Evolve Estates Ltd, a firm of London-based property investors.

There’ll be no fireworks display at Sherborne Castle this year. The event was due to take place on Saturday, November 4th but organisers have cancelled holding it blaming rising costs.

Somerset County Council says it’s expecting more care homes to shut this winter because of rising costs and staff shortages. Eight homes in Somerset went out of business in the last six months. The council has set aside 1.2 million pounds to deal with any further closures.

Wessex Water is undertaking water main works on two roads in Chard and Ilminster later this month. From October 3rd to November 25th temporary traffic lights will operate on the old A303 through Ilminster as work takes place there. In Chard, Summerfields Road will be closed in places from September 22nd to November 3rd for repairs to take place.

Sixteen-year-old, Becca Randolph from Chaffcombe, near Chard, has raised £750 for charity by taking part in a skydive. Becca made her brave descent at Dunkeswell Airfield near Honiton last weekend and has donated the money she raised to a national learning disability charity.

More from News

Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more