Local News Monday 24th January

Monday, 24 January 2022 06:00

Police have seized two BB guns from pupils at a school in the Wincanton area. A driving instructor in Somerset has expressed concerns about the changes to the Highway Code that come in force at the end of the month. St. Gilda's Catholic Primary School in Yeovil has joined four other catholic primary schools in Somerset to form a new multi-academy trust. Work starts today on resurfacing Coombe Street Lane in Yeovil...and more.

Police have seized two BB guns from pupils at a school in the Wincanton area. Police say BB guns are dangerous because they look like real guns. Anyone found with a BB gun will be treated as possessing a real firearm, until proven otherwise. The name BB refers to the ball-bearing shot fired from a BB gun that is the size of a single lead shot in a shotgun shell.

A driving instructor in Somerset has expressed concerns about the changes to the Highway Code that come in force at the end of the month. The Department for Transport says the changes are aimed at increasing road safety, Rachel Coward who runs Freedom School of Motoring claims not enough has been done to publicise the new rules.

St. Gilda's Catholic Primary School in Yeovil has joined four other catholic primary schools in Somerset to form a new multi-academy trust. St Gilda’s will no longer be run by Somerset County Council with the school building and management of the school transferring to the Dunstan Catholic Educational Trust on March 1st.

Works start today on resurfacing Coombe Street Lane in Yeovil. Somerset County Council says the road will be closed, except for resident access, for the next four weeks. Meanwhile, work resurfacing Langport Road at Langport has been completed ahead of schedule. The A372 reopened as normal at the weekend following three weeks of disruption.

HMRC is allowing people and businesses an extra one month to submit their tax returns. They say the end of January remains the deadline for sending in self-assessment forms and company accounts, but that late filing penalties won’t apply until after March 1st.

A Somerset pub that won the CAMRA Heart of Wessex Pub of Year award in 2017 has been put up for sale. The Bird in Hand at Henstridge, which has been in the same ownership for 40 years, has been advertised with an asking price of £480,000.

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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