Local News Thursday 13th May

Thursday, 13 May 2021 06:00

David Fothergill leader of Somerset County Council

The Leader of Somerset County Council says he was disappointed but not surprised about how little was said in the Queen's Speech about planned changes to the social care system. Government plans to make the microchipping of cats compulsory have been welcomed by an animal charity in Somerset. A nurse from Yeovil has been speaking about singing alongside Rag 'n' Bone Man and Pink at the Brit awards...and more.

The Leader of Somerset County Council David Fothergill says he was disappointed but not surprised about how little was said in the Queen's Speech about planned changes to the social care system. The government used the speech to say proposals on social care reform would be "brought forward". Labour and other opposition parties - as well as some social care providers – have criticised ministers for not going further. County Council Leader, David Fothergill believes the government is still committed to reforming the care system.

Government plans to make the microchipping of cats compulsory have been welcomed by an animal charity in Somerset. Ministers pledged to ensure the "highest standards of animal welfare" in the Queen's Speech and a bill ensuring all cats are chipped was one measure included in the government's programme. Nikita Benney of Cat's Protection in Somerset says micro-chipping will help to cut down the number of pets that go missing.

A nurse from Yeovil has been speaking about singing alongside Rag 'n' Bone Man and Pink at the Brit awards. Natasha Ficarotta, who works at Yeovil District Hospital sang as part of the NHS choir on the song 'Anywhere Away From Here'. Natasha said weeks of rehearsals on Zoom went into making sure everyone gave their best at the live performance.

A South Somerset woman has created a set of toys to help children with complex needs to cope with the loss of a loved one. The wooden toys, which include figures of people, furniture and vehicles have been designed by Sarah Helton and are used by children who are unable to verbally communicate their feelings when a family member or friend dies.

More artistes have been added to the line-up of ‘Live at Worthy’. The event which has replaced this year’s cancelled Glastonbury Festival takes place online on Saturday, May 22nd. The new artistes set to perform include George Ezra and Yeovil’s PJ Harvey. Coldplay, Damon Albarn and Wolf Alice have already said they will be appearing.

More from News

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