Local News Wednesday 17th May

Wednesday, 17 May 2023 at 07:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Council has launched an investigation into the cause of last week’s major flooding event in South Somerset. The organisation representing fish and chip shop owners in Somerset says that financially the sector is on its knees due to rising costs and finding a pebble could be your ticket to next month’s Home Farm Music Festival...and more.

Somerset Council has launched an investigation into the cause of last week’s major flooding event in South Somerset. The Council's Lead Member for the Environment, Councillor Sarah Dyke, says they want to establish why the flood defences in Queen Camel, West Camel, Shepton Montague and Bruton failed so badly, leading to more than one hundred and fifty homes and businesses going under water..

The organisation that represents fish and chip shop owners in Somerset says that financially, the sector is on its knees. The National Federation of Fish Friers was commenting on the rising cost of buying fish and chips. They say their members are under extreme pressure from both rising energy costs and problems with potatoe deliveries.

A Yeovil family is organising a charity football match to celebrate the life of their dad. Micky McMullen died six months ago and will be remembered at the game this weekend. His son, Steve McMullen, says it’ll be an opportunity for friends who, because of living away from Yeovil, were unable to attend his father's funeral, to pay their respects.

A pebble could be your ticket to next month’s Home Farm Music Festival, raising money for the charity, School in Bag. One-hundred pebbles, bearing a Home Farm Festival sticker, have been left in public spaces around South Somerset for people to pick up. Those finding a pebble will have their names entered into a draw to win one of six ‘all weekend’ tickets to the Home Farm Music Festival being held in Chilthorne Domer near Yeovil over the weekend of the 9th to the 11th of June.

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Thursday 29th October

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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