Local News Wednesday 26th January

Wednesday, 26 January 2022 06:00

A senior council employee at South Somerset District Council has been dismissed. Police have described as ‘extremely dangerous’ an incident at Sherborne railway station. Cash grants are being offered to shop owners in Chard to improve the look of their premises. Plans have been turned down to build forty-eight new homes on land off Fore Street, Tatworth near Chard...and more.

A senior council employee at South Somerset District Council has been dismissed for allegedly using council staff to carry out work at a wine-growing business that she owned. An independent investigation said council workers had built glamping pods, laid turf, and removed a dead pig from the vineyard in North Dorset that Clare Pestell ran alongside her full-time job at the district council.

Police have described as ‘extremely dangerous’ an incident at Sherborne railway station in which young people were caught playing around the train tracks. Police were called after the youngsters were spotted playing with supermarket trolleys on the platform and around the level crossing. Police say the station was operational at the time and that it was fortunate no one was hurt.

Cash grants are being offered to shop owners in Chard to improve the look of their premises. South Somerset District Council says business owners can claim up to 70 percent of the cost of repairing and putting up new signage on shop fronts. The scheme is part of efforts to regenerate Chard town centre and attract more shoppers to the town.

The wife of a Royal Marine in Somerset has been speaking about how the Forces Employment Charity R-F-E-A, helped her get back into the workplace. Jenny Monaghan says it can be difficult for military partners to have careers when they are re-stationed every 2-years and is grateful for the help that she was given in finding employment.

Plans have been turned down to build forty-eight new homes on land off Fore Street, Tatworth near Chard. Members of South Somerset District Council’s Area West Committee rejected the application on the grounds the houses represented ‘over-development’ and would have impacted adversely on the local environment.

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Thursday 29th January

Somerset Council has warned that more homes are likely to flood with further heavy rain forecast to end the week. Discount retailer, The Original Factory Shop, which has an outlet in Crewkerne, has gone into administration. A Barista at Costa Coffee in Ilminster has won a place in the finals of a national competition...and more
Wednesday 28th January

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has announced plans to develop a new operational base on the Leonardo airfield in Yeovil. Several people have been rescued from their homes in Ilminster due to flooding. An £800,000 project is underway to restore two staircases at Montecute House...and more
Tuesday 27th January

Last week was the wettest seven-day period in Somerset for twelve years. NHS Somerset says it’s working towards making access to dental care fairer for all. A scout leader in Somerset has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to Young People...and more
Monday 26th January

A new group has been formed to challenge plans to build 100 new homes in Keinton Mandeville. Bridgwater Town Council has voted to increase its share of the Council Tax by 5%. Organisers of Yeovil in Bloom are appealing for young people to get involved in this year’s competition...and more
Friday 23rd January

New data shows that South Western Ambulance is one of the worst-performing ambulance trusts in England. Plans to introduce improved accessibility at Yeovil Junction station have moved a step closer. A community centre in Street is providing vulnerable people with a warm, safe place to meet...and more.
Thursday 22nd January

A new NHS diagnostic centre has opened in Yeovil. The go-ahead has been given to build a replacement school for Milford Junior School in Yeovil. A new 500-bed hotel-style campus is being planned to accommodate workers at the new Agratas car battery factory near Bridgwater...and more
Wednesday 21st January

Councillors have approved controversial plans to build four large carnival club sheds near Ilminster. Somerset Council says there's an increasing gap between the cost of education and the amount the government provides to run local schools. The Bridgwater Tidal Barrier, aimed at protecting homes and businesses from flooding, has been reduced in size...and more
Tuesday 20th January

Citizens Advice says thousands of people in Somerset have lost some or all of their council tax discount. The UK's first autonomous full-size helicopter, manufactured by Leonardo in Yeovil, has successfully completed its maiden flight. A new pharmacy has opened in Wincanton...and more