Local News Wednesday 2nd February

Wednesday, 2 February 2022 06:00

Yeovil Hospital has repeated its request for people not to visit the accident and emergency department unless it’s absolutely necessary. The owner of a vineyard at Langport is hoping changes to alcohol duty will benefit producers of British wine. An Ilminster man has raised £10,000 for Prostate Cancer UK by completing six marathon walks. People living in Combe St Nicholas have raised more than £125,000 in a bid to reopen the only pub in the village...and more.

Yeovil Hospital has repeated its request for people not to visit the accident and emergency department unless it’s absolutely necessary. The hospital says it needs the public to co-operate with the appeal, due to the huge pressures of Covid and the busy winter that it is under.

The owner of a vineyard at Langport is hoping changes to alcohol duty will benefit producers of British wine. The changes in which the highest taxes will be charged on drinks with the highest alcohol content, come into the force from April. Guy Smith who runs the Smith and Evans Vineyard at Langport believes that due their low alcohol content, British-made wines, could escape the tax increases.

An Ilminster man has raised £10,000 for Prostate Cancer UK by completing six marathon walks. Lee Crossland walked the marathons, each of 26.2 miles, during January, completing five to six miles every night after work. Lee has thanked people in Ilminster for their generosity in supporting the Prostate Cancer UK charity.

People living in Combe St Nicholas have raised more than £125,000 in a bid to reopen the only pub in the village. Locals started a campaign called ‘Save the Dragon’ 2-years ago after the closure of The Green Dragon pub. The group says it still needs a further £55,000 to buy the Green Dragon.

Chard Carnival Committee has handed-out grants totaling £3,250.00 to local organisations from money raised at last year’s Chard carnival. Awards were given to Manor Court School, Avishayes School, Tatworth Amateur Pantomime Society and Chard 1st Scouts & Beavers. Chard Carnival Committee holds its annual general meeting on Sunday, February 13, at 7 pm, at the Guildhall in Chard.

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Thursday 11th December

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Wednesday 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 9th December

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Monday 8th December

Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Friday 5th December

Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
Thursday 4th December

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Wednesday 3rd December

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,