Local News Tuesday 3rd May

Tuesday, 3 May 2022 06:00

Churches in Somerset are being warned to be extra vigilant for thieves targeting church roofs for metal. A Somerset woman is campaigning for long Covid to be recognised as a disability. Households will no longer have to pay to dump DIY waste at public tips under plans set out by the government. Members of Milborne Port Opera are calling for greater investment in the arts scene in Somerset and Children at Shepton Beauchamp Church School are keeping a close eye on a nest of Blue Tits where some eggs have been laid.

Churches in Somerset are being warned to be extra vigilant for thieves targeting church roofs for metal. Specialist insurer Ecclesiastical says metal thefts from churches are on the increase; it’s believed due to a rise in the price of lead and copper.

A Somerset woman is campaigning for long Covid to be recognised as a disability. Holly Pearse is a victim of ongoing Covid symptoms and fears that in the long term it could impact her employment. She wants sufferers to be given greater protection at work from being dismissed because of having the illness

Households will no longer have to pay to dump DIY waste at public tips under plans set out by the government. It would include plasterboard, bricks and baths. The move’s aimed at cutting fly-tipping with councils in England reporting over a million fly-tipping incidents in 2021.

Members of Milborne Port Opera are calling for greater investment in the arts scene in Somerset. The group says whichever political party wins control of the new Somerset unitary council after the local elections on Thursday, they want the new council to make more investment in theatres and village halls and to provide a wider range of local sporting opportunities.

Children at Shepton Beauchamp Church School are keeping a close eye on a nest of Blue Tits where some eggs have been laid. When the time comes for the eggs to hatch, the children will get a close-up view of events, thanks to a camera that has been installed inside the bird box where the Blue Tits have built their nest.

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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