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.

More from News

Thursday 30th October

Bird flu has been found at a nature reserve in Somerset, closing part of it down. St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset is calling for the hospice sector to be given more central funding. The Barrington Boar in Barrington has been placed 12th in The Good Food Guide’s list of 100 best pubs in Britain... and more
Wednesday 29th October

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.
Tuesday 28th October

Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more
Monday 27th October

The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more
Friday 24th October

New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more
Thursday 23rd October

Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more
Wednesday 22nd October

A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more .
Tuesday 21st October

Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid out compensation of £23 million for claims related to birth injuries. A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre...and more