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

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