Local News Tuesday 17th August

Tuesday, 17 August 2021 06:00

The further relaxation of Covid restrictions has been welcomed by a major employer in Wincanton. A resident in the village of Combe St Nicholas near Chard has been overcome by fumes. People have been banned from having barbeques at Ham Hill Country Park near Yeovil. Castle Cary's Post Office has reopened in a new location. The number of people attending Accident and Emergency at Yeovil Hospital is running at record levels...and more.

The further relaxation of Covid restrictions, where people who've had two covid jabs won't have to self-isolate if they've come into contact with someone with coronavirus has been welcomed by a major employer in Wincanton. Chris Ormrod, managing director of The Flavourworks in Wincanton and has been calling on the government to relax the guidance for workers in the food industry in particular. He says that his staff will no longer have to wear face masks is good news.

A resident in the village of Combe St Nicholas near Chard was overcome by fumes after mixing together two cleaning products and producing harmful chlorine gas. The fire service was called and quickly disposed of the solution that included a combination of bleach and acid.

People have been banned from having barbeques at Ham Hill Country Park near Yeovil. South Somerset District Council says it's because disposable BBQs harm wildlife and are a fire risk. They're encouraging people to bring picnics instead.

Castle Cary's Post Office has reopened in a new location. It's now based in fruit and veg shop The Market Garden on Fore Street and will be open from Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm. The old post office closed last week. Former postmaster, Jonathan Thomas, is moving back to Switzerland after running the Post Office in Castle Cary for 25 years.

The number of people attending Accident and Emergency at Yeovil Hospital is running at record levels. According to NHS England data, 5,224 people visited the department at the hospital last month with nine out of ten waiting up to four hours to be seen by medical staff. There was also increased demand on South Western Ambulance service. The service answered 108,449 emergency calls in July, the highest number since records began in August 2017.

The search is on for a new tenant to take over running of The Camelot in South Cadbury, near Yeovil. The lease on the 17th century Somerset pub is advertised with an asking price of £49,950.

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Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more