Local News Tuesday 21st June

Tuesday, 21 June 2022 06:00

The head of tourism in Somerset says this week’s rail strikes will have a major impact on local tourism. Plans have been submitted to open a new NHS facility for children with autism and learning disabilities in Yeovil. A company that runs public swimming pools in Somerset says it's having difficulty sourcing supplies of chlorine. Farmfest planned to take place in Bruton in late July, has been cancelled due to poor ticket sales. A new national charity's been set up in the South West to support retired public service animals...andmore.

The head of tourism in Somerset says this week’s rail strikes will have a major impact on local tourism. The CEO of Visit Somerset, John Turner, says with trains not running and the cost of living crisis, Somerset’s tourism sector is facing a perfect storm.

Plans have been submitted to open a new NHS facility for children with autism and learning disabilities in Yeovil. The Somerset Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service have applied for a change of use on 105a Preston Road from residential to residential mental health. The planning application also includes building a small single-storey garden room extension at the rear of the building and a raised terrace area to the side.

A company that runs public swimming pools in Somerset says it's having difficulty sourcing supplies of chlorine. The problem is a lack of basic ingredients needed to produce chlorine and companies that make chlorine still dealing with a backlog of orders from the pandemic.

Farmfest planned to take place in Bruton in late July, has been cancelled due to poor ticket sales. Organisers of the two-day music event claim tickets haven’t sold well because people are facing big increases in their living costs.

A new national charity's been set up in the South West to support retired public service animals. Former police dog handlers and those who worked with dogs for the Ministry of Defence are being contacted by the newly formed National Federation for Retired Service Animals with a view to animals being given a good retirement.

An exhibition has opened of artwork produced by children at Greenfylde First School in Ilminster. The display showcasing the work of every pupil from pre-school to year four can be viewed at The Meeting House Arts Centre. The school has a separate display running at The Minster in Ilminster. It’s based on the school’s involvement in Sunflowers of Somerset, a community project aimed at encouraging people to grow sunflowers.

More from News

Thursday 30th October

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
Wednesday 29th October

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.
Tuesday 28th October

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
Monday 27th October

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
Friday 24th October

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
Thursday 23rd October

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
Wednesday 22nd October

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 .
Tuesday 21st October

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