Local News Friday 8th July

Friday, 8 July 2022 06:00

Police are asking people in Somerset to look out for a prisoner who has gone on the run. More than sixty potholes are being repaired on Somerset's roads every working day at the moment, according to Somerset County Council. Cancer patients in Somerset are waiting longer than they should receive treatment. An animal shelter in Somerset says it's being inundated with calls from breeders to take in 'surplus puppies'...and more.

Police are asking people in Somerset to look out for a prisoner (pictured) who has gone on the run. Sean Phipps, aged 51, failed to return to Leyhill open prison on June 1st after being released on temporary licence. He’s described as white and about 6ft 2in tall. Police believe he may be sleeping rough, camped out in a rural area or sleeping in a disused building. If you can help the police, you’re asked to call the non-emergency number 101.

More than sixty potholes are being repaired on Somerset's roads every working day at the moment, according to Somerset County Council. The Council says a total of 1,299 potholes were repaired in June, equating to an average 63 repair jobs completed every working day.

Cancer patients in Somerset are waiting longer than they should receive treatment. That's according to a group of cancer professionals who staged a demonstration outside Parliament earlier this week. They say more than 32 percent of patients in Somerset are waiting more than 62 days for treatment.

An animal shelter in Somerset says it's being inundated with calls from breeders to take in 'surplus puppies'. St Giles animal shelter says the market is over-saturated with puppies with breeding dogs giving birth to unwanted offspring.

Skateboarders and music fans have arrived in big numbers at the Royal Bath and West Showground for the NASS festival. The event hasn't been held for the last two years because of Covid. Ella Eyre and Mable are performing live at the festival.

A new film's been made about how Somerset celebrated the Platinum Jubilee. The five-minute film was commissioned by Somerset’s Lord Lieutenant Annie Maw, it includes scenes of beacon lighting, street parties and the Royal Bath and West Show.

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Friday 31st October

There's anger in Chard about a road diversion in place alongside two sets of roadworks through the town. A motorcyclist has been injured in an accident in Bruton. £100,000 has been donated towards re-opening Shepton Mallet’s Amulet theatre... and more
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 .