Local News Wednesday 7th December

Wednesday, 7 December 2022 06:00

Yeovil Hospital is spearheading an initiative to stop anesthetic gases from polluting the atmosphere. Somerset Community Foundation has raised half-a-million pounds to help charities support individuals and communities affected by the cost-of-living crisis. There’s been a big rise in the number of older people living alone in Somerset. People with mental health issues are helping with a project in Merriot to restore an old boat...and more.

Yeovil Hospital is spearheading an initiative to stop anesthetic gases from polluting the atmosphere. Pipes that pump the gases around the hospital have been turned-off and newer, safer, greener alternative gas types are being used.

Somerset Community Foundation has raised half-a-million pounds to help charities support individuals and communities affected by the cost-of-living crisis. SCF has raised the money in just four months and is giving out amounts of between £1,000 and £10,000 to help people and communities in the greatest need.

There’s been a big rise in the number of older people living alone in Somerset. Data from the 2021 Census shows 38,800 people aged 66 and over are living alone in the County, compared to 33,500 in 2011. Somerset West and Taunton has the highest proportion of elderly people living alone, with 11,499 elderly single-person households recorded.

People with mental health issues are helping with a project in Merriot to restore an old boat. They're taking part in a 12-week course at Ark at Egwood near Merriot to turn the boat into a space for therapy and relaxation.

A top award has been given to the Visitor Information Centre at Cartgate services area on the A303 just outside Yeovil. At the Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards, the Cartgate information centre was presented with the ‘Visitor Information Service of the Year Award’. In the Restaurant of the Year category, the Clockspire in Milborne Port won Silver, and in the Pub and Casual Dining section, the Queen’s Arms at Corton Denham won Bronze.

A road in West Crewkerne is partially closed for re-surfacing today. The work in Hewish Lane is due to be completed by 5 pm.

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Bird flu has been found at a nature reserve in Somerset, closing part of it down. St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset is calling for the hospice sector to be given more central funding. The Barrington Boar in Barrington has been placed 12th in The Good Food Guide’s list of 100 best pubs in Britain... and more
Wednesday 29th October

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.
Tuesday 28th October

Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more
Monday 27th October

The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more
Friday 24th October

New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more
Thursday 23rd October

Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more
Wednesday 22nd October

A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more .
Tuesday 21st October

Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid out compensation of £23 million for claims related to birth injuries. A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre...and more