Local News Thursday 10th February

Thursday, 10 February 2022 11:19

Streetlights, bus shelters and traffic lights in South Somerset are to be used to host more infrastructure for 4G and 5G mobile phone networks. It’s been confirmed that Midas Construction Limited has gone into administration. The former Beale’s department store in Yeovil has been put up for rent. Sexey’s School in Bruton has been rated as ‘good’ for its boarding provision following an Ofsted inspection. Registration has opened for people planning to vote by proxy in May’s local elections...and more.

Streetlights, bus shelters and traffic lights in South Somerset are to be used to host more infrastructure for 4G and 5G mobile phone networks. It follows Somerset being chosen to take part in a national trial to boost mobile coverage by cutting local council red tape.

It’s been confirmed that Midas Construction Limited has gone into administration. The company was awarded a multi-million-pound contract by South Somerset District Council to smarten up Yeovil town centre as part of Yeovil Refresh. Midas has stopped work on the improvement scheme in Westminster Street and at the bandstand in Lower Middle Street.

The former Beale’s department store in Yeovil has been put up for rent. The five-floor Grade-II listed building was sold at auction in May last year and has been unoccupied since Beale’s left Yeovil in March 2020. The building at 23-25 High Street is advertised to rent at £1,535 a month.

Sexey’s School in Bruton has been rated as ‘good’ for its boarding provision following an Ofsted inspection. Their report highlighted the commitment by staff to ensure the welfare and safety of students at Sexey’s which is managed by the Quantock Education Trust.

Registration has opened for people planning to vote by proxy in May’s local elections. Polling on Thursday, May 5th is to elect councillors to run the new Somerset unitary council. Somerset Council will operate in shadow form for one year and take responsibility for all council’s services in May 2023 at which point the district councils and County Council will close. You can register for a proxy or postal ballet on the South Somerset District Council website.

Children at Horsington Church School have been learning about the world of horse racing. A group of children from years 5 and 6, spent a day behind the scenes at Wincanton racecourse, under the guidance of ‘Racing to School’, a charity that aims to inspire the next generation to take an interest in horseracing.

Somerset’s Lando Norris has extended his contract with McLaren. The Formula One racing driver will stay with the team until the end of 2025.

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Friday 13th March

The first of the new medium lift helicopters being built by Leonardo in Yeovil for the RAF will be delivered in 2031. Somerset Council has launched a public consultation on planned new charges at its two hundred public car parks. More women in Somerset are said to be taking up walking football... and more
Thursday 12th March

A Yeovil headteacher says he’s concerned about plans to stop giving school holiday food vouchers to families on low incomes. The owner of Yeovil Town is calling on fans to be patient as he continues his overhaul of the National League side. A high voltage fault is being blamed for plunging 1700 homes into darkness in the Ilminster area... and more
Wednesday 11th March

Plans have been submitted to convert two properties in Yeovil into houses of multiple occupation. A new court date has been announced for a Yeovil man charged with attempted murder. An engineer who has worked at the Leonardo factory in Yeovil for 40-years has won a top industry award... and more
Tuesday 10th March

Police say a fire at the former Oscar Mayer food factory in Chard was started deliberately. Yeovil College says it would have been adversely affected had Leonardo not won the contract to build new medium-lift helicopters. A seven-foot dragon will be visiting towns and villages in our area during the next few weeks to promote Somerset Day... and more
Monday 9th March

Two Wildcat helicopters from 815 Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton have arrived in Cyprus to help protect RAF Akrotiri from further Iranian drone strikes. New figures show that 40 people were killed on Avon and Somerset’s roads in the last 12-months. A Somerset man has been recalling the day 60-years ago when he was a passenger on the last train on the Somerset and Dorset Railway... and more
Friday 6th March

Defence Minister Luke Pollard has been explaining why it took the government so long to confirm a contract for the Leonardo in Yeovil to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. Police are investigating a break in at a pet shop in Ilminster. Somerset Council is to stop using red ink on council tax reminder letters... and more
Thursday 5th March

Two military helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton are being sent to Cyprus to help bolster UK’s defences amid the US-Israel war with Iran. Yeovil Town Council is seeking legal advice over the closure of the hyper acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. Flood warnings have been lifted on the Somerset Levels... and more
Wednesday 4th March

A man has died in a fire in Wincanton. Somerset Council is planning further cuts of twenty-one million pounds to help balance its books. A campaign to raise £30,000 for a minibus has been launched in Chard... and more