Local News Friday 3rd September

Friday, 3 September 2021 06:00

A family from Stoford is searching for a man who they say saved their son from drowning after he fell into the River Stour at Sturminster Newton. A consultation has opened on plans to relocate the bus stop in the Borough, Yeovil. Views are being sought on which major roads in Somerset should be upgraded. Work on building 70 new homes in Templecombe will start next month...and more.

A family from Stoford near Yeovil are searching for a man who they say saved their son from drowning after he fell into the River Stour at Sturminster Newton. Jackson Gardiner, aged 9, was swept away by strong undercurrents and was struggling to breathe in the incident on Wednesday, August 25th. His parents say if it hadn’t been for the man diving into the water to rescue Jackson he would most likely have not survived. They believe the man may have military connections and are asking him to come forward so they can thank him properly for his brave actions.

A consultation has opened on plans to relocate the bus stop in the Borough next to the War Memorial in Yeovil town centre to South Street, next to the Library. South Somerset District Council wants to make the change to reduce the dominance of traffic on the High Street as part of the Yeovil Refresh which aims to regenerate the town centre. Meanwhile, Westminster Street will be the first area of the town centre to be improved as part of Yeovil Refresh when work starts to partially pedestrianise the road, the week commencing September 20th.

Views are being sought on which major roads in Somerset should be upgraded. National Highways, formerly known as Highways England, has begun work on dualling the A303 between Sparkford and Podimore, with further public consultation planned this autumn on the proposed dualling of the A358 between Taunton and Ilminster. The agency is now asking people to say what other roads in Somerset they would like to see upgraded, ahead of the publication of the government's next road investment strategy.

Work on building 70 new homes in Templecombe will start next month. The development at Slades Hill will consist of three, four and five-bedroom homes with 35 per cent being affordable housing. A public open space will be created, together with land set aside for the expansion of a nearby primary school.

Details have been announced of this year’s Somerset Business Awards. The event, organised by the Somerset Chamber of Commerce, recognises the best of businesses across all sectors in Somerset. A new award called ‘Rebuild and Thrive’ has been introduced this year to recognize businesses that responded to adversity, whether that was Brexit, Covid-19, or something else.

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Monday 15th June

People in Somerset are being asked to take part in a new survey about alcohol use. Yeovil's MP Adam Dance will lead a debate in Parliament today on NHS dentistry. A Yeovil runner has been selected to represent England at a national endurance championship... and more
Friday 12th June

It's claimed the increasing availability of drugs such as ketamine and cocaine has normalised drug use among young people in Somerset. The trial of a man accused of killing his one-month-old son in Chard begins today at Bristol Crown Court. A stone pillar outside the Langport Arms Hotel in Langport has been replaced after it was destroyed in a car crash... and more
Thursday 11th June

Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to the three aircrew from RNAS Yeovilton who died in last week's helicopter crash in Devon. Two men have been arrested and stolen vehicles seized following a major multi-agency operation in South Somerset. An event highlighting opportunities for women in the aerospace industry has been held in Yeovil... and more
Wednesday 10th June

The public will be consulted on how best to spend fifty million pounds of government funding to tackle flooding in Somerset. Avon and Somerset Police are backing a new road safety campaign aimed at reducing motorcycle fatalities. New welcome signs have been installed at entrances to the Mendip Hills National Landscape... and more
Tuesday 9th June

The government has announced a £50 million investment to strengthen Somerset’s flood defences. A woman from Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been banned from driving for 14 months after admitting drink-driving. Somerset Council has been told it must improve its adult social care services... and more
Monday 8th June

Plans for a new railway station in Langport remain stalled in Whitehall, according to Somerset Council. Plans to build 50 new homes in Broadway, near Ilminster, have been refused. The new water fountains in Yeovil’s Triangle, in Lower Middle Street, are being switched off during very hot weather because of safety concerns... and more.
Friday 5th June

A new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne says it won’t start operating at full capacity until July due to staff shortages. Somerset Council says it has no plans to show England matches in the World Cup on the Big Screen in Yeovil town centre due to safety concerns. A Somerset family has been thanked after completing a 73-mile walk raising money for a third world charity... and more
Thursday 4th June

An investigation continues today into the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter, based at RNAS Yeovilton, in which all three aircrew were killed. Somerset Council has confirmed that a new operator will take over several leisure centres across the county. The new live-action Masters of the Universe movie, filmed in Somerset, is released this week...and more