Local News Monday 4th April

Monday, 4 April 2022 at 06:00

Emily outside 10, Downing Street with her mum, Louise, and sister Grace.

A girl from Yeovil has helped deliver a petition to Downing Street calling on the government to recognise the problem of long Covid among children. Dorset Council says it could be eighteen months before the A30 at Kitt Hill in Sherborne is re-opened to traffic. A woman from Yeovil has died in a road traffic accident in the Scottish borders. The 40th anniversary of the start of the Falklands War is being marked this week...and more.

A girl from Yeovil has helped deliver a petition to Downing Street calling on the government to recognise the problem of long Covid among children. Emily, who’s nine, contracted the virus last September and must rely on a walking aid, to get around. Through the charity, Long Covid Kids, she’s asking the government to do more to help suffers. In response, the government has pledged fifty million pounds for research into the impact of long Covid.

Dorset Council says it could be eighteen months before the A30 at Kitt Hill in Sherborne is re-opened to traffic. The road was closed following a landslip in early September. The diversions put in place have caused long delays for drivers. On their website, Dorset Council says work to repair the damage at Kitt Hill might not be completed until September 2023.

A woman from Yeovil has died in a road traffic accident in the Scottish borders. Patricia Kim Common, aged 61, was killed when her vehicle collided with another vehicle on the A968 Kelso to Hawick road, on Saturday.

The 40th anniversary of the start of the Falklands War is being marked this week. Personnel from RNAS Yeovilton, flying helicopters built in Yeovil, played a big part in defeating the Argentinians in 1982. Commander of RNAS Yeovilton, Tim Gedge, says in the same way the conflict in the Falklands conflict resulted in tragic consequences, the same is now happening in Ukraine.

The holy month of Ramadan has started for Muslims in Somerset with Muslims fasting for the next four weeks. Meraz Aziz is from the Muslim Community in Somerset. He says Muslims are looking forward to marking Ramadan, without Covid restrictions.

Somerset's recycling centres will stay open for longer from this week. Summer opening hours are now in operation, 9 am to 6 pm weekdays and 9 am to 4 pm at weekends. Somerset Waste Partnership says Chard recycling centre has been equipped with online queue cameras, to help people to avoid busy times.

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Thursday 29th October

A Yeovil man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for attacking his mother with a knife. People in Chard are being reminded that it’s unlawful to attach flags to lamp posts and street furniture. Wincanton Racecourse has called off its 'Badger Chase Day' because the ground is too firm... and more
Wednesday 28th October

Leweston School near Sherborne has announced that it is closing with immediate effect. NHS Somerset could merge with neighbours in Bath and North-East Somerset and Dorset to cut costs. Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant has launched a campaign to get more people nominated for national honours... and more
Tuesday 27th October

Work has started building a new six-million-pound flood defence scheme in Taunton. Plans have been submitted to build a new church hall in Martock. People are being asked to donate gifts to this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal... and more
Monday 26th October

Eligible groups in Somerset are being encouraged to get their flu jabs. There’s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside Avon & Somerset Police’s control room. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, has visited Yeovil... and more.
Friday 23rd October

Somerset is the 11th most challenging place in England to be a child according to a report. Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire could have its own elected ‘Wessex Mayor’ by 2028. Cricketer, Ian Botham returns to the county this weekend... and more.
Thursday 22nd October

The NFU says that testing for the virus Bluetongue needs to be sped up. Construction of new flats on Yeovil’s Grimsby Corner site will officially begin next year. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind tomorrow... and more.
Wednesday 21st October

The owner of campsite in Somerset says a two-thousand-seven-hundred percent increase in business rates will be 'catastrophic' for his business. Plans to build nearly 300 new homes on the outskirts of Chard have been given the go ahead. Yeovil Town are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Leatherhead 5-2 at Huish Park last night... and more