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.

More from News

Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more