Local News Friday 28th April

Friday, 28 April 2023 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

An investigation into a plane crash on the Blackdown Hills has found that more could have been done to prevent it from happening. A pet grooming business in Wincanton has set up a pet food bank. Sixth-form students at a Yeovil school have been participating in a beach clean-up in Weymouth. A Somerset charity that supports new mothers is appealing for donations of Moses baskets...and more.

An investigation into a plane crash at Buckland St Mary on the Blackdown Hills in August last year, in which the pilot and a passenger died, has found that more could have been done to prevent the accident. An official report into the crash has made seven safety recommendations. They include better training for pilots in dealing with unexpected bad weather conditions and new operational guidelines for air traffic controllers.

A Somerset charity that supports new mothers is appealing for donations of Moses baskets. ‘Baby Basics South Somerset’ works with midwives and health professionals to give baskets, baby clothes and toiletries to families in the greatest need.

The owner of a pet grooming business in Wincanton says pet owners are coming to her to ask for help with feeding their animals because they can't afford to buy pet food. Kelly Davis has set up pet food banks in Wincanton and Bruton to support local pet owners.

Sixth-form students at Fiveways School in Yeovil have been taking part in a beach clean-up in Weymouth. The young people also collected litter in West Bay and at Burton Bradstock as part of gaining an award in Sustainability.

A fundraising walk is being held in memory of a former Ilminster councillor. Sophie Storey, a former member of Ilminster Town Council, died aged 40, in 2019. This weekend, her sister, Joanna Gillman and a group of friends will walk the 30-mile Liberty Trail, from Ham Hill to Lyme Regis, raising money for charity.

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Leweston School near Sherborne has announced that it is closing with immediate effect. NHS Somerset could merge with neighbours in Bath and North-East Somerset and Dorset to cut costs. Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant has launched a campaign to get more people nominated for national honours... and more
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Monday 26th October

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The NFU says that testing for the virus Bluetongue needs to be sped up. Construction of new flats on Yeovil’s Grimsby Corner site will officially begin next year. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind tomorrow... and more.
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The owner of campsite in Somerset says a two-thousand-seven-hundred percent increase in business rates will be 'catastrophic' for his business. Plans to build nearly 300 new homes on the outskirts of Chard have been given the go ahead. Yeovil Town are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Leatherhead 5-2 at Huish Park last night... and more