Local News Monday 12th July

Monday, 12 July 2021 00:00

House building in South Somerset reached record levels at the start of 2021. Local manufacturing businesses are struggling to fill low-skilled vacancies following the loss of EU workers. A Yeovil man has been jailed for handling goods. The ambulance service for Somerset says last week was its busiest week on record. Research by Sport England shows that people in South Somerset have been put off going outside for exercise because of Covid...and more

House building in South Somerset reached record levels at the start of 2021. Figures from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government show that between January and March construction was completed on 230 new homes in South Somerset, the highest number for the quarter since records began in 2005.

Local manufacturing businesses are struggling to fill low-skilled vacancies following the loss of EU workers. Somerset Chamber of Commerce says nearly 70 percent of manufacturers are having difficulty recruiting new staff.

A Yeovil man has been jailed for handling goods. Jamie Staite, of Grass Royal in Yeovil, received a 16 months sentence following a hearing at Taunton Crown Court. The case centered around an incident in February this year when equipment and two vehicles were stolen from a construction site at Evercreech.

The ambulance service for Somerset says last week was its busiest week on record. South Western Ambulance Service responded to more than 22,000 incidents up to last Friday. It's asking people to only call 999 if someone is seriously injured or ill and there is a risk to life.

Research by Sport England shows that people in South Somerset have been put off going outside for exercise because of Covid. Over a fifth of people in Somerset are active for less than half an hour a week. To try and tackle the problem, a new project's starting called 'Get Outside in Somerset' and it's targeting people aged between 55 and 75.

A farm enterprise near Crewkerne has won a top award for its work. Coombe Farm Organic at Roundham was voted number one for producing the best organic food boxes at the Soil Association Awards.

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Friday 12th December

The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.
Thursday 11th December

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Wednesday 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 9th December

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Monday 8th December

Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Friday 5th December

Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
Thursday 4th December

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Wednesday 3rd December

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,