Local News Wednesday 30th June

Wednesday, 30 June 2021 06:00

A Help Centre has opened in Chard, offering advice and support to people affected by Monday’s flash flooding in the town. A planning application to reopen a stone quarry near Long Sutton has been refused for a second time. Dog owners are being asked to keep their pets on a lead at Ham Hill Country Park. Police are searching for a man in connection with a public indecency incident in Chard. Entries are now open for this year’s Coast-to-Coast Cycle Challenge...and more.

A Help Centre has opened in Chard, offering advice and support to people affected by Monday’s flash flooding in the town. The facility has been set up by South Somerset District Council and Chard Town Council in the Guildhall and will open all day today (30-06) from 9.30 am.

A planning application to reopen a stone quarry near Long Sutton has been refused for a second time. Somerset County Council first refused the plans in June 2019, arguing the former Batts Lane quarry’s proximity to a landfill site could lead to the contamination of local water sources. The council has now refused the plans a second time, citing the same concerns.

Dog owners are being asked to keep their pets on a lead at Ham Hill Country Park. It follows concerns that nests of Skylarks, hidden in long grass, are at risk of being trampled on by out-of-control dogs.

Police are searching for a man in connection with a public indecency incident in Chard. It happened in the area of Zembard Lane at around 9 pm last Wednesday. He’s described as in his late teens or early 20’s, of a slim build, with brown hair and was wearing a black tracksuit. Anyone who can help is asked to call the non-emergency number 101.

Entries are now open for this year’s Coast-to-Coast Cycle Challenge raising money for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. The event in September will involve a 55-mile route from Washford Cross to West Bay.

A retirement party at Ilminster fire station had to be cancelled when the station was mobilised to deal with Monday’s flash flooding in Chard. Crew Manager, Barry Paull, was about to get a big send-off from colleagues when the call came for the station to help. A second party to mark Barry’s 32-years of service at the Ilminster fire station is now planned.

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