Local news Thursday 28th April

    Somerset Waste Partnership is asking householders to flatten and crush items left out for collection for recycling. A Chard woman’s offer to provide a home to a 16-year-old Ukrainian girl has been rejected. Police are asking for the co-operation of scrap metal merchants following a spate of drain cover thefts. Plans have been submitted to open a caravan park alongside the golf course in Henstridge and The Welcome Bap, a coffee shop in Chard run by the local Baptist Church, has been celebrating its 30th birthday.

    Somerset Waste Partnership is asking householders to flatten and crush items left out for collection for recycling. This includes squashing plastic bottles and cartons, crushing tins and cans, and flattening cardboard boxes. SWP says doing this would allow crews to complete their rounds in less time. Meanwhile, the days next week when rubbish and recycling collections take place will change. To accommodate the Bank Holiday on Monday, collections will be a day later than normal.

    A Chard woman’s offer to provide a home to a 16-year-old Ukrainian girl has been rejected because the girl has no one to accompany her on the journey over to Somerset. Deanne Campbell, who’s a music teacher, had also arranged for the girl to be given a music scholarship so she could continue her musical studies. Deanne’s been told that under the Homes for Ukraine’s scheme children are not allowed to enter the UK unless they are accompanied by an adult. She says she feels let down.

    Police are asking for the co-operation of scrap metal merchants following a spate of drain cover thefts. They want scrap metal dealers to call the 101 non-emergency number if offered the chance to buy metal drain gully covers. The public is also being asked to report sightings of people lifting or inspecting drain covers late at night.

    Plans have been submitted to open a caravan park alongside the golf course in Henstridge. Lee Park Estates Ltd want to locate 45 static caravans on the southern end of the nine-hole course, using Marsh Lane for access. South Somerset District Council is expected to make a decision on the application by the summer.

    The Welcome Bap, a coffee shop in Chard run by the local Baptist Church, has been celebrating its 30th birthday. Margaret and Hugh Rodway, who helped set up the Welcome Bap in 1992, joined with customers past and present for a party to mark the occasion.

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    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Light rain

      High: 20°C | Low: 14°C

    • Chard

      Light rain

      High: 20°C | Low: 14°C

    • Crewkerne

      Light rain

      High: 20°C | Low: 14°C

    • Somerton

      Light rain

      High: 21°C | Low: 15°C

    • Wincanton

      Light rain

      High: 21°C | Low: 15°C