Local News Friday 27th May

Friday, 27 May 2022 06:00

Emergency stroke services in the county could be offered in one hospital instead of two, in the future. court has heard how a Chard woman, who portrayed herself as being homeless, stole a man’s wallet after he invited her back to his flat for a meal. The former Conservative Leader of Somerset County Council, David Fothergill, has been speaking about making the switch to the new Somerset unitary council. A Yeovil man is setting-up Somerset’s first wheelchair rugby club...and more.

Emergency stroke services in the county could be offered in one hospital instead of two, in the future. NHS managers are looking at whether to close the emergency stroke unit at either Yeovil or Musgrove Park hospitals, so they have all the specialist staff and equipment in one place.

A court has heard how a Chard woman, who portrayed herself as being homeless, stole a man’s wallet after he invited her back to his flat for a meal. Taunton Crown Court was told that Emma Shirley, now of David Way in Chard, approached the man in Yeovil town centre claiming to have no money for food and repaid his kindness by stealing £180 from him. Shirley, who had a history of similar offending, was jailed for fifteen months.

The former Conservative Leader of Somerset County Council, David Fothergill, has been speaking about making the switch to the new Somerset unitary council. From April next year, Somerset’s district councils, including South Somerset and the County Council will disappear and be replaced by the new 'one' council that will run all council services across Somerset. The Liberal Democrats won control of the County Council at the local elections and will run the new unitary when it comes into being in 2023. Councillor Fothergill says he wants the new unitary authority to be a success.

A Yeovil man is setting-up Somerset’s first wheelchair rugby club. Julian Allen, who won silver in the wheelchair rugby at the Invictus Games in the Netherlands, has enlisted the support of Help for Heroes and the Rifles’ Care for Casualties charity with the venture. He’s aiming to have a Somerset-based wheelchair rugby club in place to compete against teams like Southampton Sharks Bournemouth Lions by the start of the 2023 season.

A four-year-old boy from Chard, who suffers from eczema, is taking on a walking challenge to support other children with the condition. Ezra Venn was diagnosed with eczema as a baby and despite being given various treatments his condition remains pretty much unchanged. Ezra, who will start primary school in September, is completing 5,000 walking steps every day during May, raising funds for Eczema Outreach Support.

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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