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

Friday 31st July

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service says July has been its busiest month ever for emergency calls. Police have recovered a 1970s Austin Mini pick-up stolen in Shepton Mallet. A specialist spinal injuries service at Yeovil Hospital has treated three hundred patients in its first year... and more
Thursday 30th July

The Environment Agency has declared a drought across Somerset as the hot weather takes its toll on the county's water supplies. Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic accident near Crewkerne. A bowls player from Yeovil has won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow...and more
Wednesday 29th July

Police have arrested two suspects in connection with a series of moped thefts in Chard. A combine harvester has been destroyed in a farm fire at Forton, near Chard. A bowls player from Yeovil has won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow... and more
Tuesday 28th July

The former Beales department store in Yeovil could be brought back into use as part of a wider masterplan for the future of the town. A yellow heat health alert is in place across Somerset from nine o’clock this morning until nine o’clock on Friday morning. A Somerset farmer says this year is the driest on his land since 1976... and more
Monday 27th July

Gooch and Housego, based in Ilminster and one of the town’s biggest employers, has been sold in a multi-million-pound deal to an American private equity firm. A father who shook his four-week-old baby to death at a house in Chard has been sentenced to life in prison. A doctor who works for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is one of five people to have jointly set a new world record for rowing around Great Britain... and more
Friday 24th July

Avon and Somerset Police are warning people to watch out for scammers posing as Amazon. The CEO of the company that provides Somerset's recycling is warning of a major incident if people continue to put used batteries in waste bins. A former Yeovil pub could be demolished to make way for a major hotel expansion.
Thursday 23rd July

The West Country is officially one step closer to being declared in drought. Somerset Council says it's remodelling its service after a children's home was closed following an inspection. A new McDonald's planned off the M5 at Bridgwater could create up to 120 local jobs... and more
Wednesday 22nd July

Two men have been jailed for stealing electrical items and cash from a property in Yeovil. Somerset Council has defended its use of Yeovil’s new performance area in The Triangle, in Lower Middle Street. Tintinhull Primary School, near Yeovil, has won a top national award for outdoor play... and more