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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Thursday 30th April

More than 4,500 people have expressed interest in joining a new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne. Somerset Council says a long-term solution is needed to make Hendford Hill in Yeovil fully safe for motorists. A Somerset man has won first prize at the World Marmalade Awards... and more
Wednesday 29th April

Somerset Council says Hendford Hill in Yeovil should be fully reopened to traffic by the end of May. Plans have been approved to build 40 new homes in Crewkerne. A huge pile of illegally dumped rubbish in Glastonbury has been cleared... and more
Tuesday 28th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision at Rimpton. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in South Petherton. Former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson has been retained as first-team manager of Taunton Town for next season... and more
Monday 27th April

A former school in Sherborne has been badly damaged by fire. A care home in Yeovil has been rated outstanding. ublic spaces in West Coker owned by Somerset Council are being handed over to the parish council. Mendip Golf Club has presented a cheque for £12,000 to Mind in Somerset... and more
Friday 24th April

Plans have been submitted to turn a property on Preston Road in Yeovil into a House in Multiple Occupation. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has been recalled to the England Red Roses starting line-up for tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations game against Wales. Three sisters from Yeovil will be running the London Marathon this weekend in support of Guide Dogs UK... and more
Thursday 23rd April

Helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton have completed six weeks of sorties, protecting Cyprus from attacks by Iran. People in Somerset who use domestic heating oil are calling on the government to regulate the oil supply industry. Patients are being invited to register at a new NHS dentist in Crewkerne... and more
Wednesday 22nd April

Expectant mothers are using Yeovil Hospital once again to give birth following the reopening of the maternity unit. A Yeovil man has been jailed for four years for committing sexual offences against two young girls. Plans have been approved to convert a pub in Milborne Port into housing... and more
Tuesday 21st April

NHS Somerset has delayed closing the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. A former Avon and Somerset Police officer has been jailed for making indecent images of children. A Somerset man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild animal with dogs... and more