Business leaders in Somerset say employers need better guidance on how to support staff now that self-isolation rules for people with Covid are about to end. There's been an increase in the number of family’s permanently homeschooling, since the beginning of the pandemic. Parish councils in Somerset are being encouraged to take back control of local services. Nominations have opened for this year's Pride of Somerset Youth Awards...and more.
Business leaders in Somerset say employers need better guidance on how to support staff now that self-isolation rules for people with Covid are about to end. It follows the government’s announcement that Covid restrictions will be lifted beginning from February 24th, one month earlier than planned.
There's been an increase in the number of family’s permanently homeschooling, since the beginning of the pandemic. In Somerset, the number of children being taught at home has risen by 25% in just two years.
Parish councils in Somerset are being encouraged to take back control of local services. It's in preparation for the move to the one council for Somerset, and the disbandment of district councils, in April 2023.
Nominations have opened for this year's Pride of Somerset Youth Awards. The awards are to recognise young people who've gone above and beyond to help out in their local communities.
Crewkerne Station has won a top prize for its Christmas decorations. The Friends of Crewkerne Station have been awarded the title ‘Station Christmas 2021’ in a competition run by the Blackmore Vale Community Rail Partnership.
People in Ilminster can enter a competition to win a garden tree. Seventy saplings are being given away by the Ilminster Tree Project as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative. To enter the draw email greenilminster@btinternet.com or phone 07816 213428. The closing date is Sunday, 20th February.
Bird flu has been found at a nature reserve in Somerset, closing part of it down. St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset is calling for the hospice sector to be given more central funding. The Barrington Boar in Barrington has been placed 12th in The Good Food Guide’s list of 100 best pubs in Britain... and more
Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.
Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more
The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more
New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more
Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more
A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more
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Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid out compensation of £23 million for claims related to birth injuries. A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre...and more