Local News Monday 26th July

Monday, 26 July 2021 06:00

Somerset's Director of Public Health, Trudi Grant, says the rules allowing NHS and social care staff to go to work after being told to self-isolate should only be used in "absolute emergency situations”. With the start of the summer holidays upon us, drivers are being reminded to check their vehicles before heading out on long journeys. Plans have been submitted to build five new houses in South Petherton...and more.

Somerset's Director of Public Health, Trudi Grant, says the rules allowing NHS and social care staff to go to work after being told to self-isolate should only be used in "absolute emergency situations”. She says employers need to consider that the virus could be spread by allowing employees, who have been told to self-isolate, back into the workplace.

With the start of the summer holidays upon us, drivers are being reminded to check their vehicles before heading out on long journeys. Highways England says 1 in 5 breakdowns on main routes like the A303 through South Somerset is caused by drivers not checking tyre pressures before setting off.

Somerset-based 40 Commando Royal Marines have been testing unmanned drone technology as a way of getting ammunition and medical supplies to the front line. The exercise, aimed at helping the Marines operate more efficiently, comes ahead of further testing by NATO of unmanned drones in America later this year.

Plans have been submitted to build five new houses in South Petherton. If approved by South Somerset District Council, they would be on land at The Old Fruit Farm in New Cross.

Demand for Somerset’s mental health services has risen by a third since the start of the pandemic. Somerset NHS says the majority of new cases are not connected to lockdown but young people anxious and depressed depression about their weight and body image.

The death has been announced of former Westland’s Test Pilot, John Fay. John Fay was a pioneer of rotorcraft flying in the 1950's and 60’s, he also played a pivotal role in the development of the Lynx helicopter. He died earlier this month, just a few weeks short of reaching his 100th birthday.

An arts group in Yeovil is asking people to decorate the front of their houses and gardens to celebrate the idea of ‘Home’. Yeovil Arts Space plans to create an artistic walking trail around the town and is asking people to be as creative with their designs.

More from News

Friday 12th June

It's claimed the increasing availability of drugs such as ketamine and cocaine has normalised drug use among young people in Somerset. The trial of a man accused of killing his one-month-old son in Chard begins today at Bristol Crown Court. A stone pillar outside the Langport Arms Hotel in Langport has been replaced after it was destroyed in a car crash... and more
Thursday 11th June

Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to the three aircrew from RNAS Yeovilton who died in last week's helicopter crash in Devon. Two men have been arrested and stolen vehicles seized following a major multi-agency operation in South Somerset. An event highlighting opportunities for women in the aerospace industry has been held in Yeovil... and more
Wednesday 10th June

The public will be consulted on how best to spend fifty million pounds of government funding to tackle flooding in Somerset. Avon and Somerset Police are backing a new road safety campaign aimed at reducing motorcycle fatalities. New welcome signs have been installed at entrances to the Mendip Hills National Landscape... and more
Tuesday 9th June

The government has announced a £50 million investment to strengthen Somerset’s flood defences. A woman from Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been banned from driving for 14 months after admitting drink-driving. Somerset Council has been told it must improve its adult social care services... and more
Monday 8th June

Plans for a new railway station in Langport remain stalled in Whitehall, according to Somerset Council. Plans to build 50 new homes in Broadway, near Ilminster, have been refused. The new water fountains in Yeovil’s Triangle, in Lower Middle Street, are being switched off during very hot weather because of safety concerns... and more.
Friday 5th June

A new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne says it won’t start operating at full capacity until July due to staff shortages. Somerset Council says it has no plans to show England matches in the World Cup on the Big Screen in Yeovil town centre due to safety concerns. A Somerset family has been thanked after completing a 73-mile walk raising money for a third world charity... and more
Thursday 4th June

An investigation continues today into the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter, based at RNAS Yeovilton, in which all three aircrew were killed. Somerset Council has confirmed that a new operator will take over several leisure centres across the county. The new live-action Masters of the Universe movie, filmed in Somerset, is released this week...and more
Wednesday 3rd June

A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with assaulting three police officers. Somerset Council has begun legal action to recover more than £320,000 owed by housing developers. The line-up has been announced for this year’s Ilminster Midsummer Experience...and more