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.

More from News

Thursday 30th April

More than 4,500 people have expressed interest in joining a new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne. Somerset Council says a long-term solution is needed to make Hendford Hill in Yeovil fully safe for motorists. A Somerset man has won first prize at the World Marmalade Awards... and more
Wednesday 29th April

Somerset Council says Hendford Hill in Yeovil should be fully reopened to traffic by the end of May. Plans have been approved to build 40 new homes in Crewkerne. A huge pile of illegally dumped rubbish in Glastonbury has been cleared... and more
Tuesday 28th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision at Rimpton. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in South Petherton. Former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson has been retained as first-team manager of Taunton Town for next season... and more
Monday 27th April

A former school in Sherborne has been badly damaged by fire. A care home in Yeovil has been rated outstanding. ublic spaces in West Coker owned by Somerset Council are being handed over to the parish council. Mendip Golf Club has presented a cheque for £12,000 to Mind in Somerset... and more
Friday 24th April

Plans have been submitted to turn a property on Preston Road in Yeovil into a House in Multiple Occupation. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has been recalled to the England Red Roses starting line-up for tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations game against Wales. Three sisters from Yeovil will be running the London Marathon this weekend in support of Guide Dogs UK... and more
Thursday 23rd April

Helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton have completed six weeks of sorties, protecting Cyprus from attacks by Iran. People in Somerset who use domestic heating oil are calling on the government to regulate the oil supply industry. Patients are being invited to register at a new NHS dentist in Crewkerne... and more
Wednesday 22nd April

Expectant mothers are using Yeovil Hospital once again to give birth following the reopening of the maternity unit. A Yeovil man has been jailed for four years for committing sexual offences against two young girls. Plans have been approved to convert a pub in Milborne Port into housing... and more
Tuesday 21st April

NHS Somerset has delayed closing the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. A former Avon and Somerset Police officer has been jailed for making indecent images of children. A Somerset man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild animal with dogs... and more