Local News Wednesday 11th May

Wednesday, May 11th, 2022 6:00am

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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Local News Tuesday 24th May

Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh has welcomed the decision to give four local schools a share of an improvement fund worth nearly £500 million. People in Somerset are being advised to check their blood pressure by borrowing a monitor from their local library, including Yeovil Library. Ilminster is planning to stage a mass singing of the National Anthem to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. A Yeovil man has moved to Tanzania to teach English and Maths at a school in the town of Arusha...and more.
Local News Monday 23rd May

Around one thousand GP appointments a month are being freed up in Somerset through a new service provided by pharmacists. A Yeovil motorist has been fined £440 after being caught driving at 93 miles per hour on the A30 at Babylon Hill. A group of apprentices from Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil have been meeting MP’s at Westminster. he Arts Council in the South West has confirmed it's extending its grant scheme supporting to small music venues...and more.
Local News Friday 20th May

A threat of closure that’s been hanging over Somerset’s minor injuries units has been lifted. More people than ever are working on the new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point. Cyclists travelling across Chard could soon enjoy a much safer ride under plans to complete a coast-to-coast cycle route through the West Country. A new 'super' national nature reserve is being created on the Somerset Levels and Moors and a Somerset cider producer has teamed up with one of the world’s largest whisky brands to create a new alcoholic product.
Local News Thursday 19th May

Yeovil Town have announced that their new manager is Chris Hargreaves. It’s hoped new government legislation to bring empty shops back into use will help rejuvenate Somerset's high streets. An Ilminster man has appeared in court charged with ten offences. Somerset Wildlife Trust has teamed up with National Highways to help give more protection to Dormice. A pub in Somerton has won national recognition for its hospitality...and more.
Local News Wednesday 18th May

More than half of households in Somerset who qualify for the £150 council tax rebate towards their energy bills should by now have received the cash. A Yeovil man’s appeared in court charged with assaulting another man in Martock. An additional £1.6 million pound is to be spent making three leisure centres in South Somerset more environmentally friendly. Plans to build 130 new homes in Henstridge are to go ahead after a change of mind at South Somerset District Council...and more.
Local News Tuesday 17th May

Police are appealing for witnesses to an incident in which a man was attacked and robbed in Yeovil town centre. Somerset's Liberal Democrats have voted for the current leader of the Lib Dem group on the County Council, Councillor Bill Revans, to stay on in the role. Part of Middle Street in Yeovil town centre has been cordoned-off following concern about the safety of an empty shop building. Cider makers are expecting a bumper crop of apples this year thanks to a mild spring...and more.
Local News Monday 16th May

Police have released an E-fit photo of a man they want to identify in connection with an alleged sexual assault, near Yeovil. People in Ilminster are being given the opportunity to comment on the Local Plan for the town. Expect traffic hold-ups if you’re travelling on the A37 at Cannards Grave near Shepton Mallet today. The charity Promiseworks is planning to double the number of young people in Somerset that it helps. A newly formed women’s walking football club in Somerset is looking for new players...and more.
Local News Friday 13th May

A two-week campaign has started in Somerset to get people public to surrender 'unwanted' firearms. People are being urged to be aware of ticks as they head out into the countryside during the warm weather. Concern has been expressed about how changes to farming subsidies and payments could impact the future of agriculture in Somerset and Young people from across Somerset have been recognized for their outstanding achievements in the Pride of Somerset Youth Awards.