Local News Tuesday 1st November

Tuesday, 1 November 2022 06:00

Therapy dogs are being used to help treat patients at Yeovil Hospital. Somerset-based entrepreneur and star of TV’s Dragons Den, Deborah Meaden, is asking people to shop local this Christmas. A consultation has opened on drawing up a new strategy for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in Somerset. Grants are being made available to anyone wanting to open a community garden in Somerset. Singer-songwriter Lionel Richie is coming to Taunton next year...and more.

Therapy dogs are being used to help treat patients at Yeovil Hospital. The dogs, trained by the group 'Pets as Therapy' have been proven to boost the wellbeing and mental health of patients. Three therapy dogs are currently being used in the wards at Yeovil Hospital.

Somerset-based entrepreneur and star of TV’s Dragons Den, Deborah Meaden, is asking people to shop local this Christmas. She says with higher energy costs, shop owners need their Christmas sales to be stronger than ever this year. She’s also encouraging High Street outlets not to suffer in silence and to look at what further government support might be available to help with their running costs.

A consultation has opened on drawing up a new strategy for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in Somerset. The County Council says improving SEND services is one of its main priorities. The consultation is open for comments on the Somerset County Council website until December 23rd.

Grants are being made available to anyone wanting to open a community garden in Somerset. The Community Garden Grants Scheme run by the National Gardens Scheme is aimed at creating new open green spaces within local communities.

Singer-songwriter Lionel Richie is coming to Taunton next year. The celebrated performer will give a concert at the County cricket ground on Saturday, June 11th. Tickets for the event go on sale tomorrow,

Yeovil Town are back in action tonight. They’re playing away at Woking in a National League fixture, kick-off is at 7:45 pm

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Wednesday 28th January

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has announced plans to develop a new operational base on the Leonardo airfield in Yeovil. Several people have been rescued from their homes in Ilminster due to flooding. An £800,000 project is underway to restore two staircases at Montecute House...and more
Tuesday 27th January

Last week was the wettest seven-day period in Somerset for twelve years. NHS Somerset says it’s working towards making access to dental care fairer for all. A scout leader in Somerset has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to Young People...and more
Monday 26th January

A new group has been formed to challenge plans to build 100 new homes in Keinton Mandeville. Bridgwater Town Council has voted to increase its share of the Council Tax by 5%. Organisers of Yeovil in Bloom are appealing for young people to get involved in this year’s competition...and more
Friday 23rd January

New data shows that South Western Ambulance is one of the worst-performing ambulance trusts in England. Plans to introduce improved accessibility at Yeovil Junction station have moved a step closer. A community centre in Street is providing vulnerable people with a warm, safe place to meet...and more.
Thursday 22nd January

A new NHS diagnostic centre has opened in Yeovil. The go-ahead has been given to build a replacement school for Milford Junior School in Yeovil. A new 500-bed hotel-style campus is being planned to accommodate workers at the new Agratas car battery factory near Bridgwater...and more
Wednesday 21st January

Councillors have approved controversial plans to build four large carnival club sheds near Ilminster. Somerset Council says there's an increasing gap between the cost of education and the amount the government provides to run local schools. The Bridgwater Tidal Barrier, aimed at protecting homes and businesses from flooding, has been reduced in size...and more
Tuesday 20th January

Citizens Advice says thousands of people in Somerset have lost some or all of their council tax discount. The UK's first autonomous full-size helicopter, manufactured by Leonardo in Yeovil, has successfully completed its maiden flight. A new pharmacy has opened in Wincanton...and more