Local News Friday 5th November

Friday, 5 November 2021 06:00

The High Court has dismissed a legal challenge against making big changes to schools in Ilminster and Crewkerne. The first Afghan family to be resettled to Somerset have arrived in the county to start new lives here. A senior consultant at Yeovil District Hospital says he’s the busiest he’s ever been in 25 years working as a doctor. A Yeovil man has turned his hobby of collecting unusual pets into a business...and more.

The High Court has dismissed a legal challenge against making big changes to schools in Ilminster and Crewkerne. The County Council wants to end the current three-tier system in the area, changing the roles of 8 schools and closing Misterton School. Two local families launched a judicial review against the plans but following a High Court Ruling, the changes will go ahead from September next year.

The first Afghan family to be resettled to Somerset have arrived in the county to start new lives here. Two further families are expected in the coming weeks and a further four after that.

A senior consultant at Yeovil District Hospital says he’s the busiest he’s ever been in 25 years working as a doctor. Paul Foster’s comments follow an appeal to the public not to call 999 or turn up at A&E at Yeovil Hospital unless it's a genuine emergency.

Social workers, police and health staff in Somerset working with new fathers and male carers are to be offered more training. It comes after two separate incidents here where babies suffered serious non-accidental injuries, which led to one of them dying.

A Yeovil man has turned his hobby of collecting unusual pets into a business. Garwynn Edwards who lives in Rosebery Avenue has in his collection 26 snakes including a Boa Constrictor and a 16-foot long Sri Lankan Python and is offering to put on a show with the creatures in schools, nursing homes and at private parties.

Tomorrow’s FA Cup First Round game between Yeovil and Yate Town is a sell-out. The tie, which is being played at Yate’s Lodge Road ground, will be watched by a capacity crowd of 1600, of which 360 will be Yeovil supporters.

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Thursday 30th October

Bird flu has been found at a nature reserve in Somerset, closing part of it down. St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset is calling for the hospice sector to be given more central funding. The Barrington Boar in Barrington has been placed 12th in The Good Food Guide’s list of 100 best pubs in Britain... and more
Wednesday 29th October

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.
Tuesday 28th October

Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more
Monday 27th October

The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more
Friday 24th October

New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more
Thursday 23rd October

Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more
Wednesday 22nd October

A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more .
Tuesday 21st October

Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid out compensation of £23 million for claims related to birth injuries. A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre...and more