Local News Monday 20th September

Monday, 20 September 2021 at 06:00

Around one-in-nine of the adult population in Yeovil and South Somerset have yet to receive a Covid-19 vaccine. A case of the cattle disease BSE has been confirmed on a farm in Somerset. A new way of helping people who've gone missing is being used by South Western Railway in Somerset. Home care companies in Somerset are struggling to meet the demand for their services. A new way of helping people who've gone missing is being used by South Western Railway in Somerset.

Around one-in-nine of the adult population in Yeovil and South Somerset have yet to receive a Covid-19 vaccine. Figures from NHS England show that 130,601 people aged 18 and over had received a first dose of the vaccine by September 13, with 17,291 remaining unvaccinated – around 11.7% of all adults in the area. Those aged 18-29 have the highest refusal rates in the area, with 23.3% yet to get a jab, followed by the 30-39 age bracket at 21.4%. Meanwhile, NHS England says it will send text messages and letters in the coming week to more than a million people inviting them to book their coronavirus booster jab. Those eligible include people aged 50 and over, those living and working in care homes for the elderly and frontline health and social care workers.

A case of the cattle disease BSE has been confirmed on a farm in Somerset. The Animal and Plant Health Agency say the infected animal has died and the carcass removed. Restrictions on the movement of cattle on the farm, which hasn’t been identified, have been put in place.

A new way of helping people who've gone missing is being used by South Western Railway in Somerset. It's joined forces with the national charity Missing People to try a different approach to using posters to advertise that someone is missing. Instead, South Western Railway staff will be given confidential briefings on people to look out for so they can approach them in person and offer help.

Home care companies in Somerset are struggling to meet the demand for their services, leading to more people being temporarily placed in care homes. Providers had to hand back 60 packages of care to the County Council between April and June, mainly because of staffing shortages.

Football shirts, specially made to mark the 125th anniversary of Yeovil Town have been donated to BBC's ‘Kit Out the Nation’ appeal. The shirts, printed for a day of celebrations last year that was cancelled due to the pandemic, will be distributed to local amateur teams unable to afford new kit of their own.

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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