Local News Wednesday 24th November

Wednesday, 24 November 2021 06:00

Avon and Somerset Police have issued warnings to twenty-one shops. At least 9,000 older people will need help from the Surviving Winter Appeal in Somerset this year. Latest figures show a steep increase in waiting times for treatment at Yeovil Hospital. A former supermarket building in Chard has been given a new lease of life. Ilchester Cheese in Ilchester has launched a new Marmite flavoured Cheddar cheese...and more.

Avon and Somerset Police have issued warnings to twenty-one shops that sold knives to underage children following a series of spot-checks. Large kitchen knives and other potential weapons were sold to children aged 15 and 16 during the force's largest ever test-purchase sting.

At least 9,000 older people will need help from the Surviving Winter Appeal in Somerset this year. That's according to Somerset Community Foundation who started the campaign more than a decade ago. It's asking for people who don't need their winter fuel allowance to donate it to charity.

Latest figures show a steep increase in waiting times for treatment at Yeovil Hospital. At the end of September, eleven and a half thousand people were on waiting lists at Yeovil Hospital, which was 40 percent higher than in September 2020. 43,000 people were waiting for treatment at all of Somerset’s hospitals at the end of September.

A former supermarket building in Chard has been given a new lease of life. The store on Fore Street previously used by Morrisons has been acquired by Chard Auctions. Business owner, Stuart Bull says auctions will be held at the shop on the first Saturday of the month.

The 2nd act for 'Live in Somerset, in Taunton next summer has been announced. Simply Red will be headlining the event in Vivary Park on Sunday the 28th August 2022. Ollie Murs will perform on the Friday of the same weekend.

Ilchester Cheese in Ilchester has launched a new Marmite flavoured Cheddar cheese. The company says the product launch is part of marking Ilchester Cheese’s 60th anniversary.

The Wurzels are coming to Yeovil. The Somerset-based band, famed for hits like Combine Harvester and I Am A Cider Drinker, are performing at the Westlands Entertainment venue on Thursday, December 2nd.

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Tuesday 18th August

People across Somerset are banned from today from using hosepipes to water gardens, clean windows or cars, or fill swimming and paddling pools. More cases of the potentially deadly livestock disease Bluetongue have been confirmed in Somerset. Work is underway to improve disabled access at Holyrood Academy in Chard... and more
Monday 17th August

Wessex Water, who supplies almost all homes and businesses in Somerset, has introduced a hosepipe ban effective from midnight tonight. A sinkhole on Station Road in Castle Cary has been repaired, two years after it was first discovered. A Wildcat helicopter from RNAS Yeovilton has taken part in the annual passing-out parade at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth... and more
Friday 14th August

Police are investigating an incident in which obscene words were scratched onto the World War One memorial at Ham Hill. Yeovil MP Adam Dance has repeated his call for the upgrade of the town’s police station to include a custody suite. A Somerset carnival club is building a specially adapted float to allow a wheelchair user and her assistance dog to take part in this year’s carnival circuit...and more
Thursday 13th August

An Ilminster family is celebrating after winning one million pounds on the National Lottery. Police have released a picture of a man they want to speak to in connection with suspected frauds in Somerset. Somerset Council has opened a tendering process to find a main contractor for the £15 million upgrade of Yeovil’s Octagon theatre... and more
Wednesday 12th August

Experts say with good visibility forecast for this evening, people across Somerset should have some of the best views of the solar eclipse anywhere in the UK. A Somerset councillor is calling for the Stop Line cycle route between Chard and Ilminster to be better supported. It's 40-years ago this week since a Lynx helicopter built in Yeovil set a new World Helicopter Speed Record... and more
Tuesday 11th August

Wessex Water says a hosepipe ban is possible if customers fail to cut their water usage. A record number of illegal dog fights were reported in Somerset last year. Yeovil Town's Mason Obeng has won the traditional sack of potatoes, given to the player who scores Yeovil's first goal of the new season, as a lucky omen... and more
Monday 10th August

A local councillor claims anti-social behaviour is putting people off coming into Yeovil town centre. South-West Water has announced a hosepipe ban in the Chard area. Great Western Railway has apologised after a wheelchair user from Chard became stuck at one of its stations... and more
Friday 7th August

Chard's biggest employer, Numatic International, makers of the Henry vacuum cleaner, has announced job cuts. A new Neighbourhood Plan for Hatch Beauchamp has officially been adopted. Two historic artefacts taken from Glastonbury Abbey more than 70 years ago have been returned...and more