Local News Thursday 30th March

Thursday, 30 March 2023 06:00

Yeovil-based leather manufacturer, Pittards, is urgently seeking an injection of cash to keep the company afloat. The woodland community, Tinkers Bubble, near Norton sub Hamdon, has been granted permission to remain on the forty-acre site indefinitely. BUPA Dental Care says the future of its dental practice in Crewkerne is under review. A new community defibrillator has been installed in Chard...and more.

Yeovil-based leather manufacturer, Pittards, is urgently seeking an injection of cash to keep the company afloat. In a statement, the company says it plans to issue one-million new shares at twenty-five pence each to raise cash of £344,000. A meeting of shareholders has been called for April 11th to agree on the plan. Pittards, which specialises in producing leather for bags and other leather goods blames its financial difficulties on adverse foreign currency movements.

The woodland community, Tinkers Bubble, near Norton sub Hamdon, has been granted permission to remain on the forty-acre site indefinitely. The so-called ‘off grid, low impact community’ was set up as a temporary campsite twenty-four years ago surrounded by huge controversy. Since then, Tinkers Bubble has grown in size and now has sixteen residents who produce their own timber, cider, apple juice, and vegetables, which they sell locally. The application for permanent status was granted by South Somerset District Council with no objections from Norton sub Hamdon parish council.

Bupa Dental Care says the future of its dental practice in Crewkerne is under review and will stay open for the time being. It follows the announcement that BUPA is shutting twenty-six dental practices in England and Wales.

Avon and Somerset Police have been working with colleagues in other forces across the South West this week to tackle drug crime. The operation has also focused on the crimes that drugs bring with them - like violence, robbery, burglary and theft, as well as anti-social behaviour.

There's just under a month to go to sign up for a fifty-two-mile Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge to raise money for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. The annual event will start in Watchet and end at West Bay in Dorset on 23rd April.

A new community defibrillator has been installed in Chard. The portable device is located on the Millfield Industrial Estate. The Chard Defib Group has thanked the National Grid and C and D Transport of Chard for funding the project.

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