Local News Tuesday 4th April

Tuesday, 4 April 2023 at 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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Thursday 29th October

A Yeovil man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for attacking his mother with a knife. People in Chard are being reminded that it’s unlawful to attach flags to lamp posts and street furniture. Wincanton Racecourse has called off its 'Badger Chase Day' because the ground is too firm... and more
Wednesday 28th October

Leweston School near Sherborne has announced that it is closing with immediate effect. NHS Somerset could merge with neighbours in Bath and North-East Somerset and Dorset to cut costs. Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant has launched a campaign to get more people nominated for national honours... and more
Tuesday 27th October

Work has started building a new six-million-pound flood defence scheme in Taunton. Plans have been submitted to build a new church hall in Martock. People are being asked to donate gifts to this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal... and more
Monday 26th October

Eligible groups in Somerset are being encouraged to get their flu jabs. There’s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside Avon & Somerset Police’s control room. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, has visited Yeovil... and more.
Friday 23rd October

Somerset is the 11th most challenging place in England to be a child according to a report. Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire could have its own elected ‘Wessex Mayor’ by 2028. Cricketer, Ian Botham returns to the county this weekend... and more.
Thursday 22nd October

The NFU says that testing for the virus Bluetongue needs to be sped up. Construction of new flats on Yeovil’s Grimsby Corner site will officially begin next year. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind tomorrow... and more.
Wednesday 21st October

The owner of campsite in Somerset says a two-thousand-seven-hundred percent increase in business rates will be 'catastrophic' for his business. Plans to build nearly 300 new homes on the outskirts of Chard have been given the go ahead. Yeovil Town are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Leatherhead 5-2 at Huish Park last night... and more