Local News Wednesday 22nd March

Wednesday, 22 March 2023 at 06:00

The go-ahead has been given for Numatic International in Chard – makers of the Henry vacuum cleaner – to expand the business. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road accident near Castle Cary in which a woman died. Plans have been submitted to change the use of a former pub in Hardington Mandeville. A local man, injured in a fall in Chard, has publicly thanked people who came to his rescue...and more.

The go-ahead has been given for Numatic International in Chard, makers of the Henry vacuum cleaner, to expand onto the former Oscar Mayor site in the town. The company, which employs eleven hundred people, say land on the Millfield industrial estate will be used to create a new office and storage space, together with a new injection moulding plant and assembly line. An additional thirty-eight car parking spaces, twelve HGV spaces, and forty-cycle spaces will also be provided.

Police are appealing for witnesses to a road accident near Castle Cary in which a woman died. It happened on the A371 close to the junction with Galhampton Hill on Sunday evening. Two other people were airlifted to hospital. If you can help, you’re asked to call the police non-emergency number 101.

There's been a sharp rise in reports of children being targeted and groomed online in Somerset. Avon and Somerset Police say it records hundreds of cases where social media is used to abuse children.

Plans have been submitted to change the use of a former pub in Hardington Mandeville. The Mandeville Arms closed in 2016 with the new owner wanting to convert it to a single dwelling. Several local residents are objecting saying the building should be kept as a pub for the village.

Young drivers in Somerset are being urged to slow down and take extra care on country lanes. A quarter of all fatalities and serious injuries involve young drivers on rural roads. Somerset County Council is supporting a national awareness campaign aimed at getting young drivers to be more careful.

A local man, injured in a fall in Chard, has publicly thanked people who came to his rescue. Norman Moores, who’s 90, tripped while shopping in the town last Monday. Six people came to his aid with one driving him to hospital where he was treated for cuts to his head, arm and hand. Norman says he was treated with kindness by complete strangers to whom he is eternally grateful.

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