Local News Wednesday 11th May

Wednesday, 11 May 2022 06:00

Today is Somerset Day. It’s the day in the year when we’re encouraged to ‘Fly the Somerset Flag, celebrate the County’s great heritage, and explore the beauty of the Somerset landscape. A surge in passport applications is threatening the holiday plans of families across Somerset, according to local a travel agent. The government has given a further one million pounds to support the opening of ten new children’s homes in Somerset. Local animal charities say they've seen a big rise in the number of people bringing in cats, dogs and rabbits, in particular...and more.

A surge in passport applications is threatening the holiday plans of families across Somerset, according to local travel agent, Miles Morgan. He says a record number of renewal applications made nationally has led to long delays in processing applications at the passport office.

The government has given a further 1-million pounds to support the opening of ten new children’s homes in Somerset. The homes, which are designed to allow children with complex needs to be supported without sending them miles away from their families, are due to open by 2026. The locations for the new homes have yet to be announced.

Local animal charities say they've seen a big rise in the number of people bringing in cats, dogs and rabbits, in particular. It's thought the issue’s been made worse by the cost of living and the price of pet ownership rising dramatically.

The line-up’s been announced for this year’s Shindig Festival which takes place on the Dillington Estate near Ilminster later this month. Amongst those appearing are New York’s Grammy-winning hip-hop trio De La Soul and the prophet of acid jazz, Roy Ayers. Shindig Festival is on from Thursday the 26th to Sunday the 29th of May at Dillington.

Children at local schools in Wincanton have planted twelve oak saplings in support of the Queen’s Green Canopy, marking her Platinum Jubilee. Pupils from King Arthur's, Wincanton Primary and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Primary schools, planted the trees in Wrixon’s View with the help of members and staff of Wincanton Town Council, the Women's Institute and One Planet Wincanton.

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Thursday 12th February

The government says it's ‘working flat out’ to arrive at a decision on ordering a new medium lift helicopter with Leonardo in Yeovil. We’re being asked to suggest where new electric vehicle charge points should be installed in Somerset. A new project is inviting people to look up and help map Somerset’s night skies... and more
Wednesday 11th February

Somerset Council has been told it can’t raise council tax by more than 5 percent. Businesses in Somerset are being warned to watch out for fake £20 notes. A Martock man has successfully completed a parachute-ski jump off the top of Mount Snowdon.
Tuesday 10th February

Eye operations in Somerset have been cancelled, due to a private company running out of NHS funding to provide the surgery. A local MP is calling for the permanent installation of pumps on the Somerset Levels to reduce the flood risk. A £3 million pound project has begun to refurbish the grand organ at Wells Cathedral... and more
Monday 9th February

Multiple flood alerts and warnings remain in place across South Somerset following the weekend’s heavy rainfall. Work starts today repairing a sinkhole on Station Road in Castle Cary. A business in Crewkerne is closing after 50-years trading in the town... and more
Friday 6th September

Leonardo has announced a major deal to build helicopters in India. Campaigners trying to set up a new bus link to Castle Cary railway station from Glastonbury say they need 150 thousand pounds of council money. A community event is being held in Chard for charities and service providers to showcase their activities.... and more
Thursday 5th February

The NHS in Somerset is the first in the country to trial an online self-referral service for breast cancer. The MET office has confirmed that January was the wettest in Somerset since 2014. The MET office has confirmed that January was the wettest in Somerset since 2014... and more
Wednesday 4th February

Somerset Council is asking the government for extra funds to pay for the damage caused by Storm Chandra. There’s been a setback to the campaign to reopen Chinnock Hollow. The Telegraph newspaper has named the Barrington Boar at Barrington in a list of the top 50 best pubs in the UK... and more
Tuesday 3rd February

Five flood warnings remain in place in Somerset covering the rivers Parrett, Yeo, Northmoor and Saltmoor. Somerset Council says it has no plans to demolish a derelict listed building near Chard Leisure Centre. A Yeovil farm shop has been honoured at a national awards ceremony... and more