Local News Wednesday 8th September

Wednesday, 8 September 2021 06:00

The trial continues at Taunton Crown Court today of former Leader of South Somerset District Council Ric Pallister. People are being asked to use the camera on their smartphones to help paramedics assess a person’s injuries before being taken to hospital. Ilminster is gearing up to host one of the largest town crier competitions in England. The return of Somerset Armed Forces Day has been announced, with a new celebrity face at the forefront of the event...and more.

The trial continues today (08-09) at Taunton Crown Court of former Leader of South Somerset District Council Ric Pallister. Mr Pallister, who led the district council for seven years, faces a total of 36 indecency charges, including indecent assault and indecency with a child. He denies all the charges that date from 1983 to 2004 and include multiple alleged offences involving girls under the age of 16.

People are being asked to use the camera on their smartphones to help paramedics assess a person’s injuries before being taken to hospital. South Western Ambulance says having a photo of the person’s injury would help medical staff work out the best treatment to give before patients arrive at hospital.

Ilminster is gearing up to host one of the largest town crier competitions in England. Twenty-two town criers will be in the Market Square in Ilminster on Saturday, September 18th, competing for a number of awards and trophies.

The return of Somerset Armed Forces Day has been announced, with a new celebrity face at the forefront of the event. Dragons Den star Deborah Meaden is the event's new champion and has pledged to help raise the profile of the event. Postponed for the past two years due to the pandemic, Armed Forces Day will take place next year on Saturday, July 2nd.

Churches in South Somerset have the chance of winning a top prize for the help they provided during the pandemic. The insurance firm, Ecclesiastical Insurance, is asking for stories about the help churches gave local people during lockdown for ‘The Good News’ competition that has a first prize of £7,500.

Three people in Chard have been presented with ‘Outstanding Service Awards’ by Chard Town Council. Bruce Crabb has been recognised for 42 years of service at Chard Cricket Club. Jonathan Moore for producing a video diary of Chard during the pandemic and Christine Smith for her work with the Chard Watch project. Jason Hawkes has been given the Mayor’s Annual Award for setting up an emergency response team that provided direct help to people in Chard during lockdown.

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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