Local News Monday 3rd October

Monday, 3 October 2022 06:00

The fire service is encouraging local households to have chimneys swept before the winter sets in. It's going to cost more to dispose of tyres, soil, and rubble at recycling centres in South Somerset. A public meeting is being held to discuss the options for re-opening Chinnock Hollow. Bin lorries in Somerset could soon be running on vegetable oil to help cut carbon emissions and more volunteer drivers are urgently needed for a community car scheme in Chard.

The fire service is encouraging local households to have chimneys swept before the winter sets in. Last year, the fire service dealt with 200 chimney fires that were reported in Somerset, with properties using log burners being at greater risk of fire due to chimneys not being swept.

It’s going to cost more to dispose of tyres, soil, and rubble at recycling centres in South Somerset. Somerset Waste Partnership says charges will increase by 11 percent to cover inflation and higher energy bills. The new rates come into force from April next year

A public meeting is being held to discuss the options for re-opening Chinnock Hollow, the road linking East Chinnock with Odcombe, that was closed following a landslip in February last year. Highways officials will outline four options to deal with the situation, including one of taking no action and keeping the road shut. Somerset County Council will host the meeting on Wednesday, 12th October, at Cott Farm Barn in East Chinnock.

Bin lorries in Somerset could soon be running on vegetable oil to help cut carbon emissions. Somerset Waste Partnership announced in June spending £5.5 million to replace twenty-two diesel vehicles with electric vehicles. Now, the partnership says the remainder of its fleet, roughly about 80 vehicles, could be converted to run-on hydro-vegetable oil to further reduce C02 emissions.

More volunteer drivers are urgently needed for a community car scheme in Chard. The Hub in South Chard provides people with transport to essential appointments when they have no other means of making the journey. Anyone interested should contact The Hub in South Chard through their website.

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Friday 12th December

The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.
Thursday 11th December

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Wednesday 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 9th December

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Monday 8th December

Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Friday 5th December

Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
Thursday 4th December

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Wednesday 3rd December

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,