Local News Thursday 17th February

Thursday, 17 February 2022 06:00

Dozens of highly skilled new jobs could soon be coming to Yeovil. A campaign’s been launched to change the name of the new unitary council for Somerset. The owner of a garden centre at Castle Cary says a ban on the import of seed potatoes from Europe is costing his business thousands of pounds in lost trade. A bucket collection at the Octagon Theatre has raised £9,000 for two local charities...and more.

Dozens of highly skilled new jobs could soon be coming to Yeovil. It follows a decision by the District Council to give the go-ahead to a new warehouse and freight hub on Seafire Park on Bunford Lane. The warehouse will provide 7,700 square meters of floor space, with lorries entering the site through Watercombe Lane.

A campaign’s been launched to change the name of the new unitary council for Somerset. The new, one council, takes over running all council services from May next year and has been called Somerset Council. Nevertheless, Somerset Guardians, a non-political pressure group, want that changed to South and West Somerset Council. They say the new unitary will cover only part of historic Somerset and that like North Somerset Council in the north and Bath and North East Somerset Council in the northeast of the County, the name of the new council should change to South and West Somerset Council to reflect more accurately the area it will serve.

The owner of a garden centre at Castle Cary says a ban on the import of seed potatoes from Europe is costing his business thousands of pounds in lost trade. After Brexit, the EU banned seed potato imports into Europe from Britain. Then in June last year, Britain reciprocated by banning European potatoes from entering the UK. Chris Smith of Pennard Plants says it’s time the government and EU settled their differences.

A bucket collection at the Octagon Theatre has raised £9,000 for two local charities. The money, donated by the public during the run of the Christmas panto, Mother Goose, has been divided equally between The Foyer Club and the Breast Cancer Unit Appeal at Yeovil Hospital

People in Kingstone near Ilminster are campaigning for a 30 mph speed limit through the parish. Kingstone Parish Meeting has set up a petition to introduce traffic calming measures through the whole of Kingstone, and neighbouring parts of Moolham Lane and Mill Lane last May.

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Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more