Monday 27th November

Monday, 27 November 2023 06:00

Plans have been submitted to open a new traveller site near Curry Rivel. Wessex Water has started the latest phase of a five-year programme to clean up Somerset’s watercourses of phosphates. Ilminster’s annual Christmas Tree Festival at the Minster starts today. A man from Somerset is taking on the challenge of rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic...and more.

Plans have been submitted to open a new traveller site near Curry Rivel. The land between Fivehead and Isle Abbot would be used for the scheme. If approved, five traveller pitches, together with spaces for five mobile homes, and five touring caravans, would be introduced at the site.

Wessex Water has started the latest phase of a 5-year programme to clean up Somerset’s watercourses of phosphates. £18 million, raised through water bills, is currently being invested in mitigation schemes in Martock, Crewkerne and Merriot.

NHS Somerset is urging those eligible for a Covid booster to come forward. People aged 65 and over only have until December 15th to get the top-up. NHS Somerset also says they particularly want pregnant women to come forward, as local data shows that many mums-to-be have yet to have a Covid booster.

A man from Somerset is taking on the challenge of rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic. Sam Glover will row from the Canaries to Antigua next month, to raise money for United, a charity that supports and funds social entrepreneurs.

Representatives from Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil have been in New Zealand helping to generate interest in careers in engineering. The team of young ambassadors give presentations in schools and colleges on the engineering roles in the UK, alongside practical activities, one of which was to suggest a design for building a new search and rescue helicopter for New Zealand.

Ilminster’s annual Christmas Tree Festival starts today. Held at the Minster, it features decorated trees and crib scenes representing local community groups. Admission to the Minster is free, with all donations going to the groups participating in the festival.

More from News

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