Local News Tuesday 28th September

Tuesday, 28 September 2021 06:00

Covid booster jabs have started to be given to people in eligible groups in South Somerset. Plans have been published to transform the grass surface of the Leonardo airfield in Yeovil into a "hard surface". Pig farmers are warning that a shortage of workers is causing a surplus of animals in Somerset. Plans have been approved to introduce new visitor facilities at Sutton Bingham reservoir, on the outskirts of Yeovil...and more.

Covid booster jabs have started to be given to people in eligible groups in South Somerset. Those vaccinated twice more than six months ago in eligible groups will have received letters offering a booster. Vaccinations are being delivered through existing centres, including pharmacies and GP practices.

Plans have been published to transform the grass surface of the Leonardo airfield in Yeovil into a "hard surface". The airfield is the longest grass runway in the UK at 1,386 metres. It would be laid to tarmac under the scheme. South Somerset District Council is due to make a decision on the application before the end of the year.

Farmers in Somerset will be allowed to spread slurry this autumn but changes by the Environment Agency mean it could be further regulated next year. The Agency is worried about rivers becoming polluted after rainfall causing run-off. Farmers say they wouldn't spread slurry if poor weather is forecast. Chairman of the NFU in Somerset Tom Kimber says tightening the regulations will mean farmers having to build new slurry lagoons for which they will need financial help.

Pig farmers are warning that a shortage of workers is causing a surplus of animals in Somerset. The Industry is warning of a looming crisis that could lead to animals having to be culled on local farms.

Plans have been approved to introduce new visitor facilities at Sutton Bingham reservoir, on the outskirts of Yeovil. A new entrance gate will be installed, new cycling racks provided and improvements made to the car park on Sutton Hill at the north-western corner of the reservoir, a short distance from All Saints Church.

An Ilminster woman has held an event to raise funds for Brain Tumour research. Katie Wilkinson, who has an incurable brain tumour, organised a "walk of hope" in the town at the weekend with around 60 local people taking part.

A new food and craft event is set to start next month in Ilminster. The market with more than twenty stalls at Donyatt Village Hall will showcase small local businesses. The launch event will be held on Saturday, October 16th, starting at 9 am.

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