Local News Wednesday 8th December

Wednesday, 8 December 2021 06:00

The UK Health Security Agency is investigating two confirmed cases of the Omicron Covid variant linked to a private party held in Somerset. A survey’s been launched asking people in South Somerset if they would pay more for local policing. Children and young people in South Somerset, who are eligible for free school meals, are being offered free sports sessions during the Christmas break. South Somerset District Council has opened three new employment and skills hubs to help local people find jobs and receive training...and more.

The UK Health Security Agency is investigating two confirmed cases of the Omicron Covid variant linked to a private party held in Somerset. It says there are further suspected cases under investigation linked to the same event. The agency says wherever Omicron is identified or suspected, they will follow up with contacts to emphasise the importance of self-isolation and testing.

A survey’s been launched asking people in South Somerset if they would pay more for local policing. Avon and Somerset’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Shelford says if households paid an extra £10 a year in council tax, it would mean savings in running the force would be less likely. Home Office grant funding to the Avon and Somerset Police will increase over the next financial year but the Crime Commissioner says it won’t be enough to manage inflationary pressures, like pay rises. You can take part in the online survey via the Avon and Somerset Police website, until the 21st of January.

Children and young people in South Somerset, who are eligible for free school meals, are being offered free sports sessions during the Christmas break. It's part of the Marcus Rashford school meals initiative and is being run by Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership in conjunction with the County Council.

South Somerset District Council has opened three new employment and skills hubs to help local people find jobs and receive training. The opportunities hubs at Chard Library, the Balsam Centre in Wincanton, and at Yeovil Library, are being run in partnership with the social housing provider Abri.

Production of the sparkling pear drink Babycham is about to return to Somerset. Brothers Drinks have re-acquired the Babycham brand and will re-launch it next year with production based at their Shepton Mallet factory. To celebrate the re-launch, the famous yellow Babycham Bambi, which has stood outside in Shepton Mallet for sixty years, has been re-painted and moved to a more prominent location at Kilver Court on the A37.

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Thursday 30th October

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