Local News Wednesday 19th January

Wednesday, 19 January 2022 06:00

A rare gold coin, dating back to the 13th century, has been found on the Blackdown Hills. Somerset’s economy has suffered more than most during the pandemic due to it being too reliant on the hospitality sector. Chard has been given funding to help one hundred local people, not in work. Magna Housing says half of the twenty-eight new homes that it plans to build at Chilthorne Domer near Yeovil will be ‘affordable’...and more.

A rare gold coin, dating back to the 13th century, has been found on the Blackdown Hills, on the Somerset Devon border. It was discovered using a metal detector on farmland near Hemyock. The coin, minted during the reign of King Henry the third, is being sold at auction this weekend and could fetch up to half a million pounds.

Somerset’s economy has suffered more than most during the pandemic due to it being too reliant on the hospitality sector, according to new research. The study by the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise says new policies for supporting the hospitality sector are urgently needed should the pandemic continue or a second pandemic arise in the future.

Chard has been given funding to help one hundred local people not in work become more physically active and equip them with the skills to move closer to employment. The project will see people, not in jobs given training to use social media, online banking, and the internet to search for jobs. The scheme’s funded by the UK Community Renewal Fund and is being run through Somerset County Council.

Magna Housing says half of the twenty-eight new homes that it plans to build at Chilthorne Domer near Yeovil will be ‘affordable’. South Somerset District Council is expected to make a decision on the planned development on Vagg Lane by early Spring.

Somerset Wildlife Trust is asking people to monitor the amount of frog and toad spawn in their local areas. The Trust says the information is needed to gauge the effects of climate change on the local environment, using the habits of frogs and toads as source material for the study.

A new tractor sales and serving business has opened at South Petherton. C & O Tractors, based in Blandford, have opened the new branch at premises, previously occupied by Medland & Sanders.

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Thursday 30th April

More than 4,500 people have expressed interest in joining a new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne. Somerset Council says a long-term solution is needed to make Hendford Hill in Yeovil fully safe for motorists. A Somerset man has won first prize at the World Marmalade Awards... and more
Wednesday 29th April

Somerset Council says Hendford Hill in Yeovil should be fully reopened to traffic by the end of May. Plans have been approved to build 40 new homes in Crewkerne. A huge pile of illegally dumped rubbish in Glastonbury has been cleared... and more
Tuesday 28th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision at Rimpton. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in South Petherton. Former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson has been retained as first-team manager of Taunton Town for next season... and more
Monday 27th April

A former school in Sherborne has been badly damaged by fire. A care home in Yeovil has been rated outstanding. ublic spaces in West Coker owned by Somerset Council are being handed over to the parish council. Mendip Golf Club has presented a cheque for £12,000 to Mind in Somerset... and more
Friday 24th April

Plans have been submitted to turn a property on Preston Road in Yeovil into a House in Multiple Occupation. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has been recalled to the England Red Roses starting line-up for tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations game against Wales. Three sisters from Yeovil will be running the London Marathon this weekend in support of Guide Dogs UK... and more
Thursday 23rd April

Helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton have completed six weeks of sorties, protecting Cyprus from attacks by Iran. People in Somerset who use domestic heating oil are calling on the government to regulate the oil supply industry. Patients are being invited to register at a new NHS dentist in Crewkerne... and more
Wednesday 22nd April

Expectant mothers are using Yeovil Hospital once again to give birth following the reopening of the maternity unit. A Yeovil man has been jailed for four years for committing sexual offences against two young girls. Plans have been approved to convert a pub in Milborne Port into housing... and more
Tuesday 21st April

NHS Somerset has delayed closing the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. A former Avon and Somerset Police officer has been jailed for making indecent images of children. A Somerset man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild animal with dogs... and more