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.

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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