Local News Tuesday 3rd May

    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.

    More from News

    • Tuesday 15th September

      Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more

    • Monday 14th September

      Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more

    • Friday 11th September

      It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more

    • Thursday 10th September

      Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more

    • Wednesday 9th September

      Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more

    • Tuesday 8th September

      Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more

    • Monday 7th September

      Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more

    • Friday 4th September

      Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Sunny intervals

      High: 19°C | Low: 11°C

    • Chard

      Sunny intervals

      High: 21°C | Low: 10°C

    • Crewkerne

      Sunny intervals

      High: 19°C | Low: 10°C

    • Somerton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 21°C | Low: 11°C

    • Wincanton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 20°C | Low: 10°C