Somerset has been designated a drought area in line with the rest of the South West. More pubs are set to close in Somerset due to the unprecedented increases in energy costs, according to Somerset Chamber of Commerce. Great Western Railway has launched a new pay-as-you-go smartcard for travellers. Ilminster Town Council has moved to new premises and Yeovil Hospital has announced that construction work will begin later this year on a new breast care unit.
Somerset has been designated a drought area in line with the rest of the South West. The Environment Agency has added drought status to Somerset, Bristol, Dorset, south Gloucestershire and parts of Wiltshire following a summer of record levels of low rainfall.
More pubs are set to close in Somerset due to the unprecedented increases in energy costs, according to Somerset Chamber of Commerce. CEO of the Chamber, Emma Rawlings says they've joined with the big brewery companies in asking the government for urgent help for the pub sector. Meanwhile, Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh says no new policies to deal with the energy crisis will be announced until the new Prime Minister takes office next week.
Great Western Railway the train operator that runs services through Castle Cary and Bruton has launched a new pay-as-you-go smartcard for travellers. Passengers no longer need to buy a ticket before jumping on a train. The smartcard is available to use across the GWR network, Cross Country and Transport for Wales rail services.
Ilminster Town Council has moved to new premises. The Town Council has relocated its offices to the Old Magistrates Court in East Street. Ilminster Town Council is open for business between 11 am and 2 pm Monday to Friday.
Yeovil Hospital has announced that construction work will begin later this year on a new breast care unit. The new two-storey building will include waiting rooms, consultation rooms, diagnostic rooms, and counselling rooms, and is being funded in part by charitable donations of more than one million pounds.
The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.
A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,
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