Local News Thursday 21st October

Thursday, 21 October 2021 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The Director of Public Health for Somerset, Trudi Grant, says Covid cases will carry on rising in the county as the fallout from false-negative PCR test results continues. The manager of the Ambulance Service which covers Somerset says he's doing everything he can to improve the service in the County. Two Sea King helicopters, built-in Yeovil, that for the past 30-years have been in service with the Belgian Air Force, are being flown back to Somerset today. The lineup’s been announced for this year’s Ilminster Literary Festival...and more.

The Director of Public Health for Somerset, Trudi Grant, says Covid cases will carry on rising in the county as the fallout from false-negative PCR test results continues. Bath & North East Somerset and Somerset West & Taunton have the highest rates of COVID in England. The Mendip area has the fourth-highest number of cases. Trudi Grant says it’s vital that people act responsibly to limit the further spread of Covid.

The manager of the Ambulance Service which covers Somerset says he's doing everything he can to improve the service in the County. Response times in the South West were the worst in England last month. Chief Executive of the South Western Ambulance Service Will Warrender says he's working hard to recruit more staff.

Two Sea King helicopters, built-in Yeovil, that for the past 30-years have been in service with the Belgian Air Force, are being flown back to Somerset today. The helicopters have been acquired to add to the collection of military aircraft at Historic Helicopters in Chard.

One of the oldest pubs in South Somerset has been put up for sale. The Wyndham Arms at Kingsbury Episcopi, built-in 1640, has two beer garden areas, a large car park, and a living area with three bedrooms.

The lineup’s been announced for this year’s Ilminster Literary Festival. More than twenty published authors have been booked to appear at the Festival that runs from the 10th to the 14th of November with a variety of venues in Ilminster taking part.

Farm buildings, converted for accommodation at the Newt Hotel near Bruton, have been voted the ‘Best Place to Stay in the South West’ in a poll conducted by the Sunday Times. ‘The Farmyard’ at the Newt has 17 bedrooms and an indoor oak-framed swimming pool and has only been open for bookings since June this year.

More from News

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