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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Tuesday 18th November

Somerset Council has set up a task force to help identify land for a permanent traveller’s site in the county. Police are appealing for information after a charity shop in Martock was targeted by burglars. A Somerset woman is seeking individuals with a connection to the armed forces to join a new amateur rowing club...and more.
Monday 17th November

Workers belonging to the Unite union at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil are threatening further strike action. Dunelm says its Yeovil store in the Quedam will reopen on Tuesday, December 16th. A nurse working at Yeovil Hospital has won a place in the final of Miss England...and more.
Friday 14th November

Yeovil Hospital has introduced a new system for handling patients at its A&E department aimed at cutting waiting times. It’s claimed that an Iron Age settlement preserved under Somerset's wetlands for 2,000 years is facing erosion due to climate change. Montacute Road in Tintinhull will be closed for five days next week for repairs to a gas main.
Thursday 13th November

Workers at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil are taking part in a second day of strike action in their dispute over pay. Lloyds Bank has closed its branch in Chard permanently. A week-long programme of tree planting will be held at Ham Hill later this month to mark National Tree Week...and more
Wednesday 12th November

Workers belonging to the Unite union at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil begin a two-day strike today. Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, has been speaking in a parliamentary debate on improving dyslexia support in schools. South Western Ambulance Service is inviting applications for positions on its governing council...and more
Tuesday 11th November

Somerset residents are being urged to get a flu jab as cases of flu continue to rise. Seven horse saddles have been stolen in a break-in at a riding school in Queen Camel. Donations of children’s toys are needed for this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal...and more
Monday 10th November

It’s claimed Somerset Council has lost nearly £5 million selling the Marks and Spencer building in Yeovil. A car has been set on fire in a suspected arson attack in Shepton Mallet. A Crewkerne man says night-time noise from the town's Waitrose store is causing him and his family "sleep disturbance" ... and more.
Friday 7th November

A man from Yeovil has been jailed for eight years after being convicted of three counts of rape. Smoking rates in Somerset remain higher than in many other parts of the UK. Students at three schools in Yeovil have created a new shoe design for Clarks.