Local News Tuesday 21st December

Tuesday, 21 December 2021 06:00

Extra police teams are patrolling roads in South Somerset as part of the Christmas crackdown on drink and drug driving. The NHS in Somerset is appealing for more volunteers to come forward to help run the vaccination centre at the Haynes Motor Museum in Sparkford. Police have carried out an eviction at a house in Chard. An empty building next to Chard’s new leisure centre is unlikely to be demolished now until the spring and Chard Museum has been given a grant of nearly £5,000 to run community engagement projects.

Extra police teams are patrolling roads in South Somerset as part of the Christmas crackdown on drink and drug driving. Since the start of December, police say 100 arrests for drink and drug driving offences have been made across the Avon and Somerset force area.

The NHS in Somerset is appealing for more volunteers to come forward to help run the vaccination centre at the Haynes Motor Museum in Sparkford. They’re asking for new volunteers to work one day each week. Meanwhile, drop-in Covid jabs are being offered in Yeovil & Shepton Mallet today. Anyone wanting a first, second or booster jab can just call in without an appointment at the offices of Mendip Council where the centre is located. It’s open until 10 pm. In Yeovil, walk-in covid vaccinations for anyone over 18 will be available at the Yeovil College reception building between the hours of 9 am and 11:45 am and another walk-in clinic will be open at Birchfield Church between 2 pm and 4:45 pm. On Wednesday the 22nd there will also be a walk-in clinic at Preston Academy between 10 am and 3:45 pm. If you are visiting any of the clinics please take your NHS number with you so that an efficient administration process can be assured.

Police have carried out an eviction at a house in Chard. The property in Coronation Street was cleared of its occupants after neighbours repeatedly complained about anti-social behaviour and drugs at the property.

An empty building next to Chard’s new leisure centre is unlikely to be demolished now until the spring. The structure had been meant to come down when the new leisure centre opened. Somerset District Council has blamed the delay on the planning process.

Chard Museum has been given a grant of nearly £5,000 to run community engagement projects. The money’s been awarded by the Gannett Foundation, which is the charitable arm of Newsquest, the company that publishers the Chard and Ilminster News and Somerset County Gazette.

More from News

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
Monday 19th January

The government is facing increasing pressure to clarify whether it will order new medium-lift helicopters from Leonardo in Yeovil. Somerset Council is spending £5 million on new laptops. A new singing group is being set up in Yeovil for people living with dementia...and more