Local News Tuesday 4th April

Tuesday, 4 April 2023 07:00

By Steve Haigh

Fewer than one-in-ten dental practices in Somerset are taking on new adult NHS patients. Police have carried out drug raids in Chard. International Air Day at RNAS Yeovilton is unlikely to return for at least another five years. A group of students in Chard have started fundraising for an educational trip to Cambodia. There’s concern about a delay in bringing into use a pedestrian crossing in Somerton...and more.

Fewer than one in ten of the dental practices in Somerset are taking-on new adult NHS patients, according to the British Dental Association. The government says it’s investing £3 billion every year into dentistry and has implemented additional measures to improve access. However, dentists in Somerset say the sector is in a crisis and urgently needs further support.

Police say they’ve carried out three drug raids on properties in the South Somerset area in the past seven days. In the latest raid, an address in Chard was raided by the Chard Neighbourhood Policing Team. If you have any information about drug dealing where you live, you’re asked to call the police non-emergency number 101.

International Air Day at RNAS Yeovilton is unlikely to return for at least another five years. The Royal Navy says it’s due to essential airfield infrastructure and runway refurbishments at Yeovilton that won’t be completed until 2028.

There’s concern about a delay in bringing into use a pedestrian crossing in Somerton. It was built a year ago but has yet to open due to a lack of street lighting. Parents say without the crossing, it's unsafe for children on their own to cross the road.

A group of students in Chard have started fundraising for an educational trip to Cambodia. The Year-11 students from Holyrood Academy plan to visit Cambodia this summer to stay with Camps International for four weeks. To pay for the trip, each student needs to raise £4000. The students will be holding a charity car wash at Tesco in Chard on Saturday, April 22nd.

Yeovil Town are in action tonight. They’re playing away against Gateshead, kick-off is 7.45 pm.

More from News

Thursday 29th January

Somerset Council has warned that more homes are likely to flood with further heavy rain forecast to end the week. Discount retailer, The Original Factory Shop, which has an outlet in Crewkerne, has gone into administration. A Barista at Costa Coffee in Ilminster has won a place in the finals of a national competition...and more
Wednesday 28th January

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has announced plans to develop a new operational base on the Leonardo airfield in Yeovil. Several people have been rescued from their homes in Ilminster due to flooding. An £800,000 project is underway to restore two staircases at Montecute House...and more
Tuesday 27th January

Last week was the wettest seven-day period in Somerset for twelve years. NHS Somerset says it’s working towards making access to dental care fairer for all. A scout leader in Somerset has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to Young People...and more
Monday 26th January

A new group has been formed to challenge plans to build 100 new homes in Keinton Mandeville. Bridgwater Town Council has voted to increase its share of the Council Tax by 5%. Organisers of Yeovil in Bloom are appealing for young people to get involved in this year’s competition...and more
Friday 23rd January

New data shows that South Western Ambulance is one of the worst-performing ambulance trusts in England. Plans to introduce improved accessibility at Yeovil Junction station have moved a step closer. A community centre in Street is providing vulnerable people with a warm, safe place to meet...and more.
Thursday 22nd January

A new NHS diagnostic centre has opened in Yeovil. The go-ahead has been given to build a replacement school for Milford Junior School in Yeovil. A new 500-bed hotel-style campus is being planned to accommodate workers at the new Agratas car battery factory near Bridgwater...and more
Wednesday 21st January

Councillors have approved controversial plans to build four large carnival club sheds near Ilminster. Somerset Council says there's an increasing gap between the cost of education and the amount the government provides to run local schools. The Bridgwater Tidal Barrier, aimed at protecting homes and businesses from flooding, has been reduced in size...and more
Tuesday 20th January

Citizens Advice says thousands of people in Somerset have lost some or all of their council tax discount. The UK's first autonomous full-size helicopter, manufactured by Leonardo in Yeovil, has successfully completed its maiden flight. A new pharmacy has opened in Wincanton...and more