Local News Monday 17th January

Monday, 17 January 2022 07:17

Health managers in Somerset say they are encouraged by the declining cases of Covid. A Yeovil mother has appeared in court over her child not attending school. Somerset County Council has given its support to a quarry near Chard being expanded. Prince Andrew will no longer be the Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm. Two Somerset charities are to benefit from a grant scheme that ran over the Christmas period and Terry Skiverton has left Yeovil Town after 23 years service at Huish Park.

Health managers in Somerset say they are encouraged by the declining cases of Covid. All parts of Somerset have seen a slight fall in case numbers, however, Public Health consultant at Somerset County Council, Alison Bell says staff sickness is still having a big impact on local businesses.

A Yeovil mother has appeared in court over her child not attending school. The woman, who can’t be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a school attendance order. She was appearing with 5 other parents from other places in Somerset charged with the same offence and was fined £150 with £60 costs.

Somerset County Council has given its support to a quarry near Chard being expanded. Aggregate Industries UK want to extract an extra 830,000 tonnes of sand and gravel from their quarry at Chard Junction. As a majority of quarry site is in Devon, Devon County Council has been asked to make the final decision on the application.

Prince Andrew will no longer be the Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm, headquartered at RNAS Yeovilton in South Somerset. It's one of several military titles and royal patronages the Duke has been stripped of as he faces a US civil action over sexual assault allegations, which he denies.

Two Somerset charities are to benefit from a grant scheme that ran over the Christmas period. The Somerset Unit for Radiotherapy Equipment, which helps the NHS to treat cancer patients, and Time is Precious, which helps sick children at home or in hospital, are both to receive £1000 from Ecclesiastical Insurance, following a public vote.

Terry Skiverton has left Yeovil Town after 23 years service at Huish Park. Terry, who has been a player and manager, and was most recently Assistant to Darren Sarll with Yeovil, has moved to a new role with a club in the EFL.

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Wednesday 17th September

The Environment Agency is being urged to rethink its decision to stop maintaining smaller rivers and streams in Somerset. South Western Railway, which runs trains through Sherborne, Yeovil and Crewkerne, has issued body cameras to more of its staff. Twelve new neighbourhood officers have joined Avon and Somerset Police...and more
Tuesday 17th September

Plans have been submitted to build 61 new homes between Montacute and Stoke-sub-Hamdon. Organisers of Langport Triathlon say it’ll be a few more days before they’re able to give out the results in the cycling section following a medical emergency in the crowd at Sunday's event. A new town crier is wanted in Wells...and more.
Monday 15th September

NHS Somerset says it’s 'fully committed' to re-opening maternity services at Yeovil Hospital, but won't say when it will reopen. Water levels at Somerset's reservoirs have dropped below 50%, despite the recent heavy rain. A charity shop in Martock has reunited a long-lost compass with its owner after he lost it 70 years ago...and more
Friday 12th September

One of Somerset's most prominent horse trainers says planned tax increases on remote betting could be a ‘nail in the coffin’ for horse racing. An Ilchester man has been arrested in connection with a burglary in West Dorset. Somerset Council’s Chief Executive and other senior officers have been given a 3.2% pay rise...and more
Thursday 11th September

A bill put forward by Yeovil MP Adam Dance, calling for better awareness of pupil neurodivergent behaviour in schools, has passed its first reading in the Commons. Around 40 thousand people in Somerset could have undiagnosed high blood pressure. Dozens of bikers will take to the roads in Somerset this weekend in support of a breast cancer charity...and more
Wednesday 10th September

Yeovil Town Football Club has been given a two-year extension to buy back Huish Park from Somerset Council. A takeaway business in Bridgwater has been stripped of its licence after three employees were discovered working there illegally. A company in South Chard has been celebrating its 200th anniversary...and more
Tuesday 9th September

People are being asked to comment on proposals to introduce Sunday charges at Somerset Council-run car parks. A Pilton man has been jailed after cannabis valued at £28,500 was found at his home. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has started an appeal to raise £1 million...and more.
Monday 8th September

Farmers in Somerset will be driving their tractors to protest at Labour’s annual Party Conference in Liverpool later this month. A Somerset animal rescue centre says it’s dealing with a surge in the number of large dog breeds being surrendered or rehomed. The George Inn in Ilminster has announced that it will be reopening to customers on Monday, September 15th...and more