Local News Tuesday 27th September

Tuesday, 27 September 2022 06:00

Some teaching staff at Yeovil College have gone on strike in a pay dispute. The government has announced that work to turn the A358 between Ilminster and Taunton into a dual carriageway is to be fast-tracked. Somerset County Council has launched a campaign to raise awareness about head trauma in babies. Police are asking the public to help find Daniel Kellaway, aged 27, who’s wanted on a warrant for breaching his probation and in connection with a number of offences...and more.

Some teaching staff at Yeovil College have gone on strike in a pay dispute. Members of the University and College Union claim the pay of their members has fallen behind inflation by 35 percent since 2009 and that the pay gap between school and college teachers now stands at around £9,000. The UCU says the strike action will continue for 10 days unless their members are made a serious pay offer. (This story is courtesy of Somerset Live).

The government has announced that work to turn the A358 between Ilminster and Taunton into a dual carriageway is to be fast-tracked. It says it wants to speed up the planning process and get building work started by next year.

Somerset County Council has launched a campaign to raise awareness about head trauma in babies. The "Babies cry, you can cope" campaign is aimed at getting parents to open up about stress and seek help and advice.

Police are asking the public to help find Daniel Kellaway, aged 27, who’s wanted on a warrant for breaching his probation and in connection with a number of offences including theft, public order and assault. Kellaway is described as white, around 5ft 7ins tall, with short, dark brown hair and is known to frequent Yeovil, Castle Cary and Sherborne. A photo of him can be viewed on the Avon and Somerset Police website. If you see Kellaway or know of his whereabouts you’re asked not to approach him and to call 999.

Two students at Holyrood Academy in Chard are fundraising for a school trip to Cambodia to help build sustainable housing and schools. Milly Tucker and Megan Wrenn, both aged 15, plan to travel to Cambodia next year as part of the Camps International scheme. So far, Milly and Megan have held a cake sale, two garage sales, and a tombola to raise funds for the £4,000 they each need to raise to pay for the trip.

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