Local News Wednesday 14th June

Wednesday, 14 June 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

People aged over sixty-five in Somerset are being encouraged to check whether they might qualify for pension credit. New figures show that three-hundred-and-thirty-eight Ukrainian people have been resettled in South Somerset under the government’s ‘Homes from Ukraine’ scheme. Riding for the Disabled in Somerset is trying to find a therapy pony called Star who has disappeared from her field on the Blackdown Hills in South Somerset...and more.

People aged over sixty-five in Somerset are being encouraged to check whether they might qualify for pension credit. The benefit is worth up to three-and-a-half-thousand pounds a year but it's estimated that as many as eight-hundred-fifty-thousand people nationally may be missing out. Kim Watts from South Somerset Citizens Advice says there are misunderstandings around who qualifies for pension credit.

New figures show that three-hundred-and-thirty-eight Ukrainian people have been resettled in South Somerset under the government’s ‘Homes from Ukraine’ scheme that facilitates local people to sponsor and provide temporary housing to refugees fleeing the conflict with Russia. The figures, published by the Home Office, are current to March of this year. For its part, Somerset Council says it’s providing wrap-around support to refugees who have moved into the county.

Plans have been submitted to extend a doctor’s surgery in Yeovil. If approved, Ryalls Park Medical Centre on Marsh Lane near to Mudford recreation ground, would virtually double in size. Under the proposal, Yeovil Health Centre located on the first floor of Boots in Middle Street would move to Ryalls Park.

A disabled riding group in Somerset is trying to find a therapy pony called Star who has disappeared from her field on the Blackdown Hills in South Somerset. Anne Allen from the Riding for the Disabled Association has appealed for the safe return of the pony.

Ilminster Town Football Club has announced the date of its annual general meeting. The meeting, to appoint new roles as part of the ongoing changes in the club’s structures, is being held at the Archie Gooch Pavilion on Sunday, June 25th.

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