Local News Monday 23rd January

Monday, 23 January 2023 06:00

South Somerset District Council is being accused of not having a long-term strategy to fill empty shops in Yeovil town centre. Double yellow lines are to be introduced on A371 outside Castle Cary railway station to stop train users from parking at the roadside. It's been confirmed that the Shindig Festival will be held on the Dillington Estate near Ilminster up to 2025. Wincanton Tennis Club has stepped in to help with the war effort in Ukraine...and more.

South Somerset District Council is being accused of not having a long-term strategy to fill empty shops in Yeovil town centre. Councillor Tareth Casey, an Independent member of Yeovil Town Council, says the district council should be offering retailers better incentives to come to Yeovil to invest in opening new shops. He claims the £24 million pounds being spent by the council on pavement improvements and an entertainment area as part of the Yeovil Refresh Project is not enough of an incentive to attract the investment needed to bring Yeovil’s High Street back to life again.

Double yellow lines are to be introduced on A371 outside Castle Cary railway station to stop train users from parking at the roadside. It follows complaints about vehicles being left all day parked half on the pavement and half on the road, forcing pedestrians to walk onto the road to get past the parked vehicles.

It's been confirmed that the Shindig Festival will be held on the Dillington Estate near Ilminster up to 2025. The festival was originally held near Bruton before relocating to Dillington last year. This year’s event is set to run from the 26th to the 28th of May

A recruitment campaign has been launched by Somerset County Council, the NHS, and Registered Care Providers Association to encourage more people to work in social care in Somerset. One-in-ten jobs in social care are currently vacant.

Wincanton Tennis Club has stepped in to help with the war effort in Ukraine. The Club has sent some old worn-out tennis nets to Ukraine for turning into camouflage nets to protect Ukrainian forces against the Russians.

A meeting’s being held tonight of the Planning Committee of Yeovil Town. Items for discussion include locating a digital advertising screen in Middle Street. The meeting, which is open to the public, takes place at the Town House in South Street and starts at 7 pm.

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Thursday 29th January

Somerset Council has warned that more homes are likely to flood with further heavy rain forecast to end the week. Discount retailer, The Original Factory Shop, which has an outlet in Crewkerne, has gone into administration. A Barista at Costa Coffee in Ilminster has won a place in the finals of a national competition...and more
Wednesday 28th January

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has announced plans to develop a new operational base on the Leonardo airfield in Yeovil. Several people have been rescued from their homes in Ilminster due to flooding. An £800,000 project is underway to restore two staircases at Montecute House...and more
Tuesday 27th January

Last week was the wettest seven-day period in Somerset for twelve years. NHS Somerset says it’s working towards making access to dental care fairer for all. A scout leader in Somerset has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to Young People...and more
Monday 26th January

A new group has been formed to challenge plans to build 100 new homes in Keinton Mandeville. Bridgwater Town Council has voted to increase its share of the Council Tax by 5%. Organisers of Yeovil in Bloom are appealing for young people to get involved in this year’s competition...and more
Friday 23rd January

New data shows that South Western Ambulance is one of the worst-performing ambulance trusts in England. Plans to introduce improved accessibility at Yeovil Junction station have moved a step closer. A community centre in Street is providing vulnerable people with a warm, safe place to meet...and more.
Thursday 22nd January

A new NHS diagnostic centre has opened in Yeovil. The go-ahead has been given to build a replacement school for Milford Junior School in Yeovil. A new 500-bed hotel-style campus is being planned to accommodate workers at the new Agratas car battery factory near Bridgwater...and more
Wednesday 21st January

Councillors have approved controversial plans to build four large carnival club sheds near Ilminster. Somerset Council says there's an increasing gap between the cost of education and the amount the government provides to run local schools. The Bridgwater Tidal Barrier, aimed at protecting homes and businesses from flooding, has been reduced in size...and more
Tuesday 20th January

Citizens Advice says thousands of people in Somerset have lost some or all of their council tax discount. The UK's first autonomous full-size helicopter, manufactured by Leonardo in Yeovil, has successfully completed its maiden flight. A new pharmacy has opened in Wincanton...and more