Thursday 29th February

Thursday, 29 February 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

It’s hoped that businesses in Yeovil will benefit from a new £4 billion car battery-making factory being built near Bridgwater. A consultation is underway into plans to shut the Sunnymeade care home in Chard. Women in Wincanton are being offered free business training by the entrepreneur and PR guru Lynne Franks...and more.

It’s hoped that businesses in Yeovil will be amongst those in Somerset to benefit from the £4 billion being spent building a new car battery-making factory near Bridgwater. The facility alongside the M5 at Puritan will produce batteries for Jaguar Land Rover, creating 4,000 jobs and thousands more in the supply chain across the region. Agratas and Tata, two of India’s largest conglomerates, who are behind the venture, will occupy around half of the 616-acre Puritan site, with hotels, leisure, and office buildings on the other half.

A consultation is underway into a proposal to shut a residential care home in Chard. Somerset Care says Sunnymeade care home is no longer financially viable and they want to close it in April. Somerset Council’s Adult Social Care Team is independently assessing the care needs of the residents, with staff at the home put at risk of redundancy.

Police are investigating a break-in at a property in Sandford Orcas near Sherborne. It happened on Saturday, February 17th at around 4 pm. Police say the suspects were disturbed by a neighbour and that nothing was taken. They’re asking people in Sandford Orcas to check CCTV and door cameras for footage of anyone acting suspiciously. If you can help, you’re asked to please call the non-emergency number 101.

Holyrood Academy in Chard has come to the aid of a local karate club whose premises were destroyed in a fire. Chard Tae Kwon-do Club lost its training base in last weekend’s major blaze in Leach Road. Members have been told they can hold their training sessions at Holyrood Academy until further notice.

Women in Wincanton wanting to start their own business are being offered free training by entrepreneur and PR guru Lynne Franks. Lynne, who lives in Wincanton, has worked with major corporates including McDonald’s, Tesco and HSBC and says the course is aimed at helping women identify their strengths and talents, to set up a business or work collaboratively with others on a new business venture.

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