Local News Wednesday 9th February

Wednesday, 9 February 2022 06:00

A bus service run by Somerset County Council to support people who don’t have access to a car or public transport is being expanded. South Somerset Citizens Advice says people on pre-payment energy meters are already struggling to pay their bills. People in South Somerset are being encouraged to use pharmacists for dealing with minor illnesses and injuries rather than seeing a GP. Volunteers at the Repair Café in Wincanton have just completed one of their more unusual tasks...and more.

A bus service run by Somerset County Council to support people who don’t have access to a car or public transport is being expanded. Slinky Buses are to start running a service between South Petherton, Crewkerne and Yeovil. It will also add extra stops on the route between Martock and Langport.

South Somerset Citizens Advice says people on pre-payment energy meters are already struggling to pay their bills. The rise in the energy price cap has put up bills to around £2,000 a year with families on pre-payment meters paying around £50 more than that.

People in South Somerset are being encouraged to use pharmacists for dealing with minor illnesses and injuries rather than seeing a GP. Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group has launched a new service where appointments to see a pharmacist can be booked online. Health bosses say the new booking service will save on GP appointments.

Volunteers at the Repair Café in Wincanton have just completed one of their more unusual tasks, putting a ventriloquist’s dummy back into working order. The mechanism that allows the mouth of the dummy to open had broken. Owner, Pam Gower says thanks to the Wincanton Repair Café the dummy is now functioning normally again.

Organisers of Somerset Day are asking for nominations of interesting places to visit in Somerset. It’s to set up a visitor trail, representing the best buildings and landscapes in the County, as part of Somerset Day 2022.

Animal lovers can now take their pets shopping at the Wilko store in Lower Middle Street in Yeovil. The retailer has introduced a new policy that will see pets welcomed for the first time at all of Wilko’s 248 stores nationwide.

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The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.
Thursday 11th December

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Wednesday 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 9th December

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Monday 8th December

Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Friday 5th December

Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
Thursday 4th December

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Wednesday 3rd December

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,