Local News Tuesday 28th July

Tuesday, 28 June 2022 at 06:00

Somerset Waste Partnership says the county's recycling rate is at an all-time high. The NHS says more blood donors are urgently needed in Somerset. A new survey has been launched to find out how to best support children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in Somerset and the first British astronaut to visit the International Space Station is bringing his one-man show to Yeovil.

Somerset Waste Partnership says the county's recycling rate is at an all-time high. It jumped to over 56 percent last year making it the highest increase since records began 20 years ago. The increase is believed to be due to the new ‘Recycle More’ initiative that has seen plastic pots, tubs, and trays added to weekly pick-ups.

The NHS says more blood donors are urgently needed in Somerset. There is a particular need for people with O-positive blood to come forward. NHS Somerset says blood stocks have fallen due to cancellations caused by Covid and the drop in donations that happens at this time of year. Meanwhile, the NHS says it's stepping up efforts to deal with the list of six thousand people who've been waiting for more than two years for surgery by offering more of them treatment in different parts of the country. It says it will pay travel and accommodation costs, with some orthopaedic patients from Somerset going to London for operations.

A new survey has been launched to find out how to best support children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in Somerset. Anyone who has been in contact with the Somerset S.E.N. services over the past year is asked to share their views and experiences in the survey. The anonymous survey organized by Somerset County Council, NHS Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group and the Somerset Parent Carer Forum, runs until Monday, September 19th.

The first British astronaut to visit the International Space Station is bringing his one-man show to Yeovil. Tim Peake will stage ‘My Journey To Space’ at Westlands in March next year. Tim, who before becoming an astronaut worked at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil, will be talking about his life and showing video of his trip into space.

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Thursday 29th October

A Yeovil man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for attacking his mother with a knife. People in Chard are being reminded that it’s unlawful to attach flags to lamp posts and street furniture. Wincanton Racecourse has called off its 'Badger Chase Day' because the ground is too firm... and more
Wednesday 28th October

Leweston School near Sherborne has announced that it is closing with immediate effect. NHS Somerset could merge with neighbours in Bath and North-East Somerset and Dorset to cut costs. Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant has launched a campaign to get more people nominated for national honours... and more
Tuesday 27th October

Work has started building a new six-million-pound flood defence scheme in Taunton. Plans have been submitted to build a new church hall in Martock. People are being asked to donate gifts to this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal... and more
Monday 26th October

Eligible groups in Somerset are being encouraged to get their flu jabs. There’s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside Avon & Somerset Police’s control room. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, has visited Yeovil... and more.
Friday 23rd October

Somerset is the 11th most challenging place in England to be a child according to a report. Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire could have its own elected ‘Wessex Mayor’ by 2028. Cricketer, Ian Botham returns to the county this weekend... and more.
Thursday 22nd October

The NFU says that testing for the virus Bluetongue needs to be sped up. Construction of new flats on Yeovil’s Grimsby Corner site will officially begin next year. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind tomorrow... and more.
Wednesday 21st October

The owner of campsite in Somerset says a two-thousand-seven-hundred percent increase in business rates will be 'catastrophic' for his business. Plans to build nearly 300 new homes on the outskirts of Chard have been given the go ahead. Yeovil Town are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Leatherhead 5-2 at Huish Park last night... and more