Local News Wednesday 4th May

Wednesday, 4 May 2022 06:00

National Highways say work on dualling the A303 in South Somerset is running to schedule. A restaurant owner from Somerset is having to turn down bookings because of staff shortages. A former school building in Somerton has been put up for sale. Yeovil Freewheelers blood bikes have taken delivery of a new motorbike. Children at Tintinhull Primary School have won a Gold Award from The Woodland Trust for their work improving the local environment and a caravan has been completely destroyed by fire at Long Sutton.

National Highways say work on dualling the A303 in South Somerset is running to schedule and should be completed by the deadline of Spring 2024. Meanwhile, the A303 between Hazelgrove and Podimore will be shut from Friday, 13th May to Sunday the 15th of May to allow for a temporary bridge to be built over the carriageway.

A restaurant owner from Somerset is having to turn down bookings because of staff shortages. Buddy Love, who runs the Flying Fish Pub and Restaurant at Ashill near Ilminster, says he’s doubled the salary for a chef with other incentives yet can’t fill the role. The government says it has created schemes to recruit people to work in hospitality but vacancies are still running at a high level.

A former school building in Somerton has been put up for sale. Somerton Infants School on Etsome Terrace stands in 0.84 of an acre of land. The school closed when it merged with the King Ina Church of England Academy in Somerton in 2014.

Yeovil Freewheelers blood bikes have taken delivery of a new motorbike. The voluntary organisation that delivers blood and medical supplies between NHS sites bought the bike with the proceeds from their fundraising activities.

Children at Tintinhull Primary School have won a Gold Award from The Woodland Trust for their work improving the local environment. Headteacher, Hayley Robinson, says the green agenda is a central part of the school’s values. Last year, Tintinhull Primary School was awarded a Level-2 certificate by the Royal Horticultural Society for tree planting.

A caravan has been completely destroyed by fire at Long Sutton. Appliances from Martock and Somerton tackled the blaze that broke out at around 1 pm on Monday afternoon.

More from News

Thursday 1st May

There’s been a call for the Somerset Levels to be designated a National Landscape. A Yeovil man has raised £2,000 for a new school minibus at Fairmead School in Yeovil by running the London Marathon. Exmoor Ales, which provides cask ales across the region and beyond, is closing its Somerset brewery and moving the business to Surrey...and more.
Wednesday 30th April

The long-awaited refurbishment of Yeovil police station is finally to get underway this summer. Plans have been approved to build 185 new homes off Bunford Lane in Yeovil. Police have arrested three men in Yeovil for being involved in the supply of Class A drugs. A Somerset jockey has been named Champion Conditional Jockey of 2025...and more.
Tuesday 29th April

New figures have shown that registering as a new patient with an NHS dentist in Somerset is still just as difficult as it was six months ago. The go-ahead has been given to build 160 new houses on Station Road in Castle Cary. A sailor from South Petherton has been chosen to lead a team in the round-the-world Clipper Race...and more.
Monday 28th April

Somerset Council is being criticised for taking too long to re-open Yeovil's Octagon Theatre. The Liberal Democrats have won a seat on Chard Town Council by one vote. Dates have been announced for this year’s illuminated carnival processions in South Somerset...and more.
Friday 25th April

Police are investigating the theft of a motorbike in Ilminster. Tributes have been paid to the former Yeovil Town player-manager, Cecil Irwin, who has died aged 83. Town criers from across the South West will be in Yeovil tomorrow competing for the loudest voice in the Yeovil Town Crier Competition 2025...and more
Thursday 24th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident in which a child was struck by a car in Yeovil. This week, a planning inquiry is being held into plans to turn a Somerset shopping centre into a retirement complex. A Somerset woman is planning to walk the 70-miles of Hadrian's Wall to mark her 90th birthday...and more.
Wednesday 23rd April

Tourism bosses in Somerset say they feel confident the County will have a good summer for visitors this year. A group representing care providers in Somerset is warning that some residential homes are at risk of going out of business due to rising costs. A Somerset animal charity has taken into care, three orphaned badger cubs...and more.
Tuesday 22nd April

The Care Quality Commission has given two GP practices in Yeovil a 'good' overall rating. According to insurers, AXA, thefts at commercial premises in Somerset are on the rise. Bus users in Somerset could see changes to the frequency of services when the new West of England mayor takes office. Martock is to host its first Pride event in June...and more.