Local News Tuesday 27th June

Tuesday, 27 June 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A former Somerset-based Royal Marine is calling for better mental health support for ex-military personnel. A new website has been launched designed to get farmers to share their experiences through tough times. A disabled Ilminster woman is preparing to take part in a charity fundraising climb of the tallest mountain in Wales...and more.

A former Somerset-based Royal Marine is calling for better mental health support for ex-military personnel. Mark Ormrod was speaking about the years that have passed since he lost three of his limbs in a landmine explosion serving in Afghanistan aged twenty-four. He’s hoping that by speaking out, more help will be provided to service personnel and to others who live with mental health issues.

A new website has been launched designed to get farmers to share their experiences through tough times. Rupert Cox is the co-ordinator of the website ‘Farmerados’ and says it’s much needed.

An event’s been held to mark the first year of operations at iAero in Yeovil. The building in Bunford Lane is a ten-million-pound purpose-built research, design and innovation facility, supporting the aerospace sector in the South West. It opened in early 2022 and was delivered by Somerset Council in partnership with Leonardo UK and the Heart of the South West.

Somerset Council is celebrating winning an award for its partnership work delivering children’s homes. The Council and its partners – Homes2Inspire and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust – were presented with the ‘Innovation in Partnerships’ prize for their Homes and Horizons project at the Municipal Journal Awards held in London. It was given for delivering ten family-sized homes for children, together with launching a new therapeutic education service, aimed at increasing young people’s life chances through improved mental health and wellbeing.

A disabled Ilminster woman is preparing to take part in a charity fundraising climb of the tallest mountain in Wales. Tina, who suffered a life-changing back injury in a riding accident, will be pushed, pulled, and carried in her wheelchair up and down the 1,085-meter-high Yr Wyddfa mountain this Saturday, July 1st, raising money for the spinal cord injury charity, 'Back Up'.

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Friday 31st October

There's anger in Chard about a road diversion in place alongside two sets of roadworks through the town. A motorcyclist has been injured in an accident in Bruton. £100,000 has been donated towards re-opening Shepton Mallet’s Amulet theatre... and more
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 .