Local News Monday 25th October

Monday, 25 October 2021 06:00

A new classroom block at Fairmead Special School in Yeovil has been officially opened by the Princess Royal, Princess Anne. A public car park in Yeovil town centre could be turned into a car wash. National Highways says it will consider all public comments on the plan to dual the A358 between Ilminster and the M5 at Taunton. Efforts are being stepped up to attract more young people into engineering in Somerset. People in Chard are being asked for their comments on a new draft strategy for the town's future...and more.

A new classroom block at Fairmead Special School in Yeovil has been officially opened by the Princess Royal, Princess Anne. The building has created six new classrooms and a state-of-the-art sports facility. Fairmead School now has enough classroom space to accommodate 140 children.

A public car park in Yeovil town centre could be turned into a car wash. The site in South Street, opposite Club Neo, would be fitted fencing and gates and the creation of improved access.

National Highways says it will consider all public comments on the plan to dual the A358 between Ilminster and the M5 at Taunton. The latest proposals for the widening of the A358 were published last week with people expressing concerns about access when the road is dualled.

Efforts are being stepped up to attract more young people into engineering in Somerset. A campaign aimed at schools has been launched highlighting the lack of young people applying for engineering apprenticeships. Leigh Howarth from Somerset-based M-CNC Precision Engineers wants to schools to do more to promote engineering as a career choice.

People in Chard are being asked for their comments on a new draft strategy for the town's future. It follows an earlier consultation in June by South Somerset District Council. The strategy includes ideas about transport, planning and shops. Sessions will be held at the Guildhall in Chard on Sat 23rd, Mon 25th and Tues 26th of November for residents to comment.

Parents in Somerset can now book a Covid jab for their teenage children. Appointments are available throughout the school half-term holiday. To book a jab go online to the NHS Covid vaccination website or call 119.

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Friday 13th March

The first of the new medium lift helicopters being built by Leonardo in Yeovil for the RAF will be delivered in 2031. Somerset Council has launched a public consultation on planned new charges at its two hundred public car parks. More women in Somerset are said to be taking up walking football... and more
Thursday 12th March

A Yeovil headteacher says he’s concerned about plans to stop giving school holiday food vouchers to families on low incomes. The owner of Yeovil Town is calling on fans to be patient as he continues his overhaul of the National League side. A high voltage fault is being blamed for plunging 1700 homes into darkness in the Ilminster area... and more
Wednesday 11th March

Plans have been submitted to convert two properties in Yeovil into houses of multiple occupation. A new court date has been announced for a Yeovil man charged with attempted murder. An engineer who has worked at the Leonardo factory in Yeovil for 40-years has won a top industry award... and more
Tuesday 10th March

Police say a fire at the former Oscar Mayer food factory in Chard was started deliberately. Yeovil College says it would have been adversely affected had Leonardo not won the contract to build new medium-lift helicopters. A seven-foot dragon will be visiting towns and villages in our area during the next few weeks to promote Somerset Day... and more
Monday 9th March

Two Wildcat helicopters from 815 Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton have arrived in Cyprus to help protect RAF Akrotiri from further Iranian drone strikes. New figures show that 40 people were killed on Avon and Somerset’s roads in the last 12-months. A Somerset man has been recalling the day 60-years ago when he was a passenger on the last train on the Somerset and Dorset Railway... and more
Friday 6th March

Defence Minister Luke Pollard has been explaining why it took the government so long to confirm a contract for the Leonardo in Yeovil to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. Police are investigating a break in at a pet shop in Ilminster. Somerset Council is to stop using red ink on council tax reminder letters... and more
Thursday 5th March

Two military helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton are being sent to Cyprus to help bolster UK’s defences amid the US-Israel war with Iran. Yeovil Town Council is seeking legal advice over the closure of the hyper acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. Flood warnings have been lifted on the Somerset Levels... and more
Wednesday 4th March

A man has died in a fire in Wincanton. Somerset Council is planning further cuts of twenty-one million pounds to help balance its books. A campaign to raise £30,000 for a minibus has been launched in Chard... and more