Local News Thursday 2nd March

Thursday, 2 March 2023 06:00

Several schools across Somerset are either fully or partially closed today due to strike action by teachers. The main A30 road between Chard and Crewkerne has reopened to traffic two weeks earlier than planned. People in Chard are being asked for their views about the town in a new consultation. The Manager of Yeovil Town says what the club needs under its new owners is stability...and more.

Several schools across Somerset are either fully or partially closed today It’s due to strike action by teachers belonging to the National Education Union in their row over pay and school funding. In our area the following schools are affected:
Buckler's Mead Academy
Stanchester Academy
Reckleford Infant School and Nursery
Ilchester Community School
Huish Episcopi Academy
Fiveways Special School
Fairmead School
Charlton Mackrell C of E Primary School
Birchfield Primary school
Ashlands C of E First School in Crewkerne

Almost all children in Somerset starting at secondary schools in September will be attending a school of their choice. According to Somerset County Council, 4,439 11-year-olds have been given places at their chosen schools. Parents who applied for places for children starting primary school or, moving from infant to junior or first to middle school, will find out the school places they’ve been offered in April

The main A30 between Chard and Crewkerne has reopened to traffic 2-weeks earlier than planned. The road between the junction of Liddon Hill and St Rayn Hill was due to stay shut up until the middle of March for new drainage pipes to be installed. But Somerset County Council says their contractors have completed the work ahead of schedule and that road is fully open.

People in Chard are being asked for their views about the town in a new consultation. It’s being held to establish what local people consider to be important about the town and how they want to see it developed. The survey’s available on the South Somerset District Council website.

Yeovil Town fans have been reacting to the news that the Club has a new major shareholder. In a statement, the new owners, SU Glovers say they’ve taken on the "stewardship" of Yeovil Town and stop short of calling it a takeover. SU Glovers is understood to be a consortium that includes the businessman Matthew Uggla and former England rugby player Paul Sackey. The Manager of Yeovil Town, Mark Cooper, says the club needs stability under its new owners.

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Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service says July has been its busiest month ever for emergency calls. Police have recovered a 1970s Austin Mini pick-up stolen in Shepton Mallet. A specialist spinal injuries service at Yeovil Hospital has treated three hundred patients in its first year... and more
Thursday 30th July

The Environment Agency has declared a drought across Somerset as the hot weather takes its toll on the county's water supplies. Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic accident near Crewkerne. A bowls player from Yeovil has won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow...and more
Wednesday 29th July

Police have arrested two suspects in connection with a series of moped thefts in Chard. A combine harvester has been destroyed in a farm fire at Forton, near Chard. A bowls player from Yeovil has won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow... and more
Tuesday 28th July

The former Beales department store in Yeovil could be brought back into use as part of a wider masterplan for the future of the town. A yellow heat health alert is in place across Somerset from nine o’clock this morning until nine o’clock on Friday morning. A Somerset farmer says this year is the driest on his land since 1976... and more
Monday 27th July

Gooch and Housego, based in Ilminster and one of the town’s biggest employers, has been sold in a multi-million-pound deal to an American private equity firm. A father who shook his four-week-old baby to death at a house in Chard has been sentenced to life in prison. A doctor who works for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is one of five people to have jointly set a new world record for rowing around Great Britain... and more
Friday 24th July

Avon and Somerset Police are warning people to watch out for scammers posing as Amazon. The CEO of the company that provides Somerset's recycling is warning of a major incident if people continue to put used batteries in waste bins. A former Yeovil pub could be demolished to make way for a major hotel expansion.
Thursday 23rd July

The West Country is officially one step closer to being declared in drought. Somerset Council says it's remodelling its service after a children's home was closed following an inspection. A new McDonald's planned off the M5 at Bridgwater could create up to 120 local jobs... and more
Wednesday 22nd July

Two men have been jailed for stealing electrical items and cash from a property in Yeovil. Somerset Council has defended its use of Yeovil’s new performance area in The Triangle, in Lower Middle Street. Tintinhull Primary School, near Yeovil, has won a top national award for outdoor play... and more