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'.

More from News

Friday 31st July

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service says July has been its busiest month ever for emergency calls. Police have recovered a 1970s Austin Mini pick-up stolen in Shepton Mallet. A specialist spinal injuries service at Yeovil Hospital has treated three hundred patients in its first year... and more
Thursday 30th July

The Environment Agency has declared a drought across Somerset as the hot weather takes its toll on the county's water supplies. Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic accident near Crewkerne. A bowls player from Yeovil has won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow...and more
Wednesday 29th July

Police have arrested two suspects in connection with a series of moped thefts in Chard. A combine harvester has been destroyed in a farm fire at Forton, near Chard. A bowls player from Yeovil has won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow... and more
Tuesday 28th July

The former Beales department store in Yeovil could be brought back into use as part of a wider masterplan for the future of the town. A yellow heat health alert is in place across Somerset from nine o’clock this morning until nine o’clock on Friday morning. A Somerset farmer says this year is the driest on his land since 1976... and more
Monday 27th July

Gooch and Housego, based in Ilminster and one of the town’s biggest employers, has been sold in a multi-million-pound deal to an American private equity firm. A father who shook his four-week-old baby to death at a house in Chard has been sentenced to life in prison. A doctor who works for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is one of five people to have jointly set a new world record for rowing around Great Britain... and more
Friday 24th July

Avon and Somerset Police are warning people to watch out for scammers posing as Amazon. The CEO of the company that provides Somerset's recycling is warning of a major incident if people continue to put used batteries in waste bins. A former Yeovil pub could be demolished to make way for a major hotel expansion.
Thursday 23rd July

The West Country is officially one step closer to being declared in drought. Somerset Council says it's remodelling its service after a children's home was closed following an inspection. A new McDonald's planned off the M5 at Bridgwater could create up to 120 local jobs... and more
Wednesday 22nd July

Two men have been jailed for stealing electrical items and cash from a property in Yeovil. Somerset Council has defended its use of Yeovil’s new performance area in The Triangle, in Lower Middle Street. Tintinhull Primary School, near Yeovil, has won a top national award for outdoor play... and more