Local News Monday 13th September

Monday, 13 September 2021 06:00

A new report claims that young people in Somerset are carrying knives because of what they see on social media. Dentists in Somerset are reporting an increase in tooth extractions since Covid restrictions were eased. A man has died in a road accident near Chard. Two pub owners on the A37 outside Yeovil are complaining about roadworks losing them business. Work begins today on relaying damaged and worn-out track on the Paddington to Penzance line at Somerton...and more.

A new report claims that young people in Somerset are carrying knives because of what they see on social media. The county's Violence Reduction Unit says young people think they need to carry knives for protection although the number of reported cases is low.

Dentists in Somerset are reporting an increase in tooth extractions since Covid restrictions were eased. During lockdown, people were unable to get appointments, which has led to a build-up of patients needing treatment now.

A man has died in a road accident near Chard. His car left the A358 at Hornsbury Hill and ended up in a ditch early Saturday morning. A woman passenger was injured in the crash. Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage of the accident to contact them.

Two pub owners on the A37 outside Yeovil are complaining about roadworks losing them business. The Dorchester Road between Yeovil Showground and turn off to Stofford is being closed for 13 hours a day for resurfacing. Steven Graham who runs The Red House on Dorchester Road says his takings are down 25 percent. While Pete Lambden at the Quicksilver Mail says his passing trade has all but disappeared. Somerset County Council says Dorchester Road needs resurfacing and that the work should be finished by the end of this week.

Work begins today on relaying damaged and worn-out track on the Paddington to Penzance line at Somerton. The work will take place overnight when passenger trains are not running and will last until mid-November. Network Rail says with teams working through the night people living close to the line will experience some noise nuisance.

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Tuesday 4th November

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service says from today it will no longer respond to automatic fire alarms. School in a Bag, based in Chilthorne Domer, is sending 400 school bags to Jamaica, following Hurricane Melissa. Yeovil Town has paid tribute to former manager Colin Addison, who has passed away...and more.
Monday 3rd November

Plans have been approved to convert Old Viney Bridge Mill in Crewkerne to residential use. The go-ahead has been given to decommission Hinkley Point B nuclear power plant in Somerset. We’re being asked to provide food for hedgehogs that come into our gardens this winter...and more.
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 detected at a nature reserve in Somerset, resulting in the closure of part of it. 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