Local News Friday 8th September

Friday, 8 September 2023 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Help in finding new work is being offered to staff made redundant at Pittards in Yeovil. Hundreds of pounds worth of food items have been stolen in a raid on a foodbank in Martock. There's been a big rise in the cases of 'out of control' dogs in Somerset...and more.

Support is being offered to staff who've been made redundant at Pittards in Yeovil following the collapse of the business. Around one hundred and thirty employees at the Yeovil factory on Sherborne Road have lost their jobs after efforts failed to find a buyer for the company. Somerset Council says there may be jobs with them that former Pittard's staff can apply for.

Thieves have stolen hundreds of pounds worth of food items from a foodbank in Martock. Shelving was also damaged in the raid at the Martock Christian Fellowship Centre in Church St.

There's been a significant rise in the cases of 'out of control' dogs in Somerset. Cases have risen from three-hundred-and-eighty-five in twenty-twenty to nearly five-hundred last year. Attacks on other dogs have also risen significantly. Professional dog walkers are now being asked not to walk more than six dogs at a time to help reduce incidents.

A team of walkers from the charity SARSAS in Somerset will attempt the three peaks challenge this weekend. They're raising money for local people who've been affected by sexual violence.

Work has started on extending the Lubborn Cheese factory at Cricket St. Thomas near Chard. The new building will increase the size of the production floor space at Manor Farm by around three-hundred-and-seventy square metres. Lubborn Cheese supplies a range of supermarkets including Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Coop, Morrisons, and M&S.

Promoting alternatives to the car will be at the heart of future Somerset housing developments. Somerset Council has launched a 'Creating Places for People' consultation, laying out a series of outline principles that will shape new developments across the county in the future. The consultation runs until October sixteenth.

More from News

Friday 30th October

Wells Cathedral says it's having to get creative to bring in more money as financial pressures continue to grow. A convenience store in Martock has been allowed to keep its alcohol licence despite an employee working there illegally. Police have seized an illegally ridden e-scooter in Yeovil in response to concerns from local residents... and more
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