Pharmacies in Chard could be told to open on Sundays to provide better access for patients. The government’s new food strategy for England has been given a cautious welcome by a local farmer. Figures from the Health and Safety Executive show eight people died on farms in the South West in 2020. The NSPCC is calling for more early prevention to tackle a rise in cases of child cruelty and neglect...and more.
Pharmacies in Chard could be told to open on Sundays to provide better access for patients. Somerset County Council’s health and wellbeing board has put together an assessment of how well local pharmacies are performing, including a review of their opening hours. The assessment has raised concerns that Chard’s three pharmacies do not open on Sundays, which is limiting patient access to medication prescribed by GPs.
The government’s new food strategy for England has been given a cautious welcome by a local farmer. The strategy puts greater emphasis on homegrown produce and offers more support to farmers. Chris Baker, who runs Windmill Farm in Montacute, near Yeovil says the strategy makes good points but doesn’t provide the farming sector with enough certainty.
Figures from the Health and Safety Executive show eight people died on farms in the South West in 2020. Rural insurers, NFU Mutual, are hosting an event in Yeovil next week to raise awareness about safety amongst farmers.
The NSPCC is calling for more early prevention to tackle a rise in cases of child cruelty and neglect. Case numbers rose by a quarter in 2019 across the South West with Somerset recording 160 incidents.
A man from Somerset is preparing to run 50 miles in one day to fundraise for Brain Tumor Research. Tom Palacio is aiming to complete the distance in less than 12 hours. Tom’s taking on the challenge in memory of his friend, James, who died from a brain tumor in 2015.
South Western Ambulance Service is struggling to cope after a surge in 999 calls during the hot weather. Glastonbury and Somerton MP Sarah Dyke says a shortage of rental homes is making it harder for rural employers to attract workers. The National Trust is warning that changing weather patterns are making it difficult to maintain the Cerne Abbas Giant... and more
People are being asked to take extra care in parks and open spaces as high temperatures and dry conditions increase the risk of fire. Plans to build hundreds of new homes in Yeovil can now go ahead after a High Court challenge by Mudford Parish Council was dismissed. A Somerset bakery chain has sparked a reaction after it stopped making iced buns... and more
The UK Health Security Agency has increased its heat health alert for Somerset to amber. Trading Standards officers have shut down three shops in Taunton after illegal cigarettes and vapes were discovered on the premises. Bridgwater Town Council is considering running its own bus services...and more
A Martock agricultural machinery business has gone into administration, putting around thirty jobs at risk. A new sensory room has opened at a Yeovil schook to support neurodiverse pupils. The headteacher of a Chard primary school is stepping down... and more
The National Farmers Union in Somerset has welcomed the government’s new trade deal with six Gulf countries. Campaigners say Somerset’s canals and locks are in urgent need new investment. The Liverpool comedian John Bishop is heading to Somerset later this year...and more
Police are being asked to cut the time the M5 is closed following accidents. Plans to build a major solar farm near Chard have been thrown out. Aldi is asking shoppers to help find locations for new stores in Somerset...and more
People in Somerset are being encouraged to get their cholesterol checked to cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes. A Chard man has appeared in court charged with using threatening behaviour. A gardener from Somerset has won a silver award at the Chelsea Flower Show... and more
A Somerset car boot business says it will no longer accept twenty-pound notes after being handed counterfeit notes.Taunton Flower Show is warning this year’s event could be its last. Numatic, makers of the Henry vacuum cleaner, have invested one-and-a-half million pounds installing new solar panels at their factory in Chard... and more
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