Local News Tuesday 21st September

Tuesday, 21 September 2021 06:00

The farmer’s union the NFU says it wants to see visas relaxed so more European workers can come here to help tackle a staffing shortage. Up to £6.5 million pounds is being invested in improving Yeovil and Wincanton's leisure facilities. Police in Somerset are using unmarked HGVs to help spot dangerous drivers. South Western Railway, which runs services between Crewkerne and London Waterloo, has come under fire after a series of recent cancellations...and more.

The farmer’s union the NFU says it wants to see visas relaxed so more European workers can come here to help tackle a staffing shortage. Farmers in Somerset say they've been struggling to recruit workers since Brexit and some are reducing the number of times a day they milk their cows as a result. The Government says it's aware of the challenges facing the industry but is encouraging the farming sector to make employment more attractive to UK domestic workers.

Up to £6.5 million pounds is being invested in improving Yeovil and Wincanton's leisure facilities. Freedom Leisure, who manage Goldenstones, Westlands sports centre and the leisure centre in Wincanton, has outlined a series of major improvements to each of the three buildings. At Goldenstones, the gym will be "refreshed" with new equipment and the swimming pool changing rooms completely revamped. At Westlands, an additional aerobics studio will be provided. And in Wincanton, an indoor cycling studio will be created.

Police in Somerset are using unmarked HGVs to help spot dangerous drivers. It's part of a region-wide operation over two weeks following a programme run by National Highways who've helped train officers to drive the vehicles.

South Western Railway, which runs services between Crewkerne and London Waterloo, has come under fire after a series of recent cancellations. Over 2,400 unhappy customers have formed a Facebook group to share their stories of cancelled journeys, long delays and other issues. They're calling on the train service to improve services immediately. South Western Railway has apologised and says the cancellations are due to a number of drivers and guard having to self-isolate; as well as a slow intake of new train drivers.

Historic England is to invest in improvements to older buildings in Chard. The town is one of 60 places in England chosen as a High Street Historic Action Zone that will see buildings transformed and restored in the hope of attracting more people onto local high streets.

The go-ahead has been given to build 8 new homes in the village of Compton Dundon, near Somerton. The development, at Home Farm on Compton Street, will involve demolishing several existing agricultural buildings.

More from News

Friday 13th March

The first of the new medium lift helicopters being built by Leonardo in Yeovil for the RAF will be delivered in 2031. Somerset Council has launched a public consultation on planned new charges at its two hundred public car parks. More women in Somerset are said to be taking up walking football... and more
Thursday 12th March

A Yeovil headteacher says he’s concerned about plans to stop giving school holiday food vouchers to families on low incomes. The owner of Yeovil Town is calling on fans to be patient as he continues his overhaul of the National League side. A high voltage fault is being blamed for plunging 1700 homes into darkness in the Ilminster area... and more
Wednesday 11th March

Plans have been submitted to convert two properties in Yeovil into houses of multiple occupation. A new court date has been announced for a Yeovil man charged with attempted murder. An engineer who has worked at the Leonardo factory in Yeovil for 40-years has won a top industry award... and more
Tuesday 10th March

Police say a fire at the former Oscar Mayer food factory in Chard was started deliberately. Yeovil College says it would have been adversely affected had Leonardo not won the contract to build new medium-lift helicopters. A seven-foot dragon will be visiting towns and villages in our area during the next few weeks to promote Somerset Day... and more
Monday 9th March

Two Wildcat helicopters from 815 Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton have arrived in Cyprus to help protect RAF Akrotiri from further Iranian drone strikes. New figures show that 40 people were killed on Avon and Somerset’s roads in the last 12-months. A Somerset man has been recalling the day 60-years ago when he was a passenger on the last train on the Somerset and Dorset Railway... and more
Friday 6th March

Defence Minister Luke Pollard has been explaining why it took the government so long to confirm a contract for the Leonardo in Yeovil to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. Police are investigating a break in at a pet shop in Ilminster. Somerset Council is to stop using red ink on council tax reminder letters... and more
Thursday 5th March

Two military helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton are being sent to Cyprus to help bolster UK’s defences amid the US-Israel war with Iran. Yeovil Town Council is seeking legal advice over the closure of the hyper acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. Flood warnings have been lifted on the Somerset Levels... and more
Wednesday 4th March

A man has died in a fire in Wincanton. Somerset Council is planning further cuts of twenty-one million pounds to help balance its books. A campaign to raise £30,000 for a minibus has been launched in Chard... and more