Local News Friday 4th March

Friday, 4 March 2022 at 06:00

Travelodge says it would like to build a new hotel in Yeovil. Bus operators in Somerset are to get a share of 150 million pounds of new government funding. The lifting of the ban on care staff, unvaccinated against Covid from working in care homes, has been welcomed. Rickshaws are being used as a novel form of public transport on the streets of Wells. The shop workers union USDAW has been speaking about the abuse that their members in Somerset have faced in the last twelve months...and more.

Travelodge says it would like to build a new hotel in Yeovil. The hotel chain has included Yeovil on a list of thirty-five places in the South West and Wales where it would like a presence. Travelodge is asking people to contact them if they know of any sites in Yeovil that would be suitable to turn into a hotel

Bus operators in Somerset are to get a share of 150 million pounds of new government funding. It's part of a wider grant scheme by the Department for Transport to help services recover from the effects of the pandemic. The grant scheme is expected to run until October this year.

The lifting of the ban on care staff, unvaccinated against Covid from working in care homes, has been welcomed by the Somerset-based Vice-Chair of the National Care Association, Joyce Pinfield. The government says it’s been possible to lift the ban because there’s now more natural immunity to Covid in the population but Joyce Pinfield says the care sector has paid a high price, with thousands of care workers leaving their jobs because of the ban.

Rickshaws are being used as a novel form of public transport on the streets of Wells. The Wells Community Network says the rickshaws are helping older people and those with mobility problems get around the city more easily.

The shop workers union USDAW has been speaking about the abuse that their members in Somerset have faced in the last twelve months. USDAW claims that 90% of their members experienced verbal abuse and 64% had threats made against them by customers.

Yeovil Town play away against Notts County tomorrow. Meanwhile, Yeovil Manager, Darren Sarll says he needs to bring in at least one new player to help improve his team, with a third of games in the National League this season still to be played.

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Thursday 29th October

A Yeovil man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for attacking his mother with a knife. People in Chard are being reminded that it’s unlawful to attach flags to lamp posts and street furniture. Wincanton Racecourse has called off its 'Badger Chase Day' because the ground is too firm... and more
Wednesday 28th October

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
Tuesday 27th October

Work has started building a new six-million-pound flood defence scheme in Taunton. Plans have been submitted to build a new church hall in Martock. People are being asked to donate gifts to this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal... and more
Monday 26th October

Eligible groups in Somerset are being encouraged to get their flu jabs. There’s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside Avon & Somerset Police’s control room. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, has visited Yeovil... and more.
Friday 23rd October

Somerset is the 11th most challenging place in England to be a child according to a report. Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire could have its own elected ‘Wessex Mayor’ by 2028. Cricketer, Ian Botham returns to the county this weekend... and more.
Thursday 22nd October

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.
Wednesday 21st October

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