Tuesday 13th May

Tuesday, 13 May 2025 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A Somerset beef farmer says the trade deal between the UK and the US must ensure that animal welfare standards are maintained. A Somerset teenager is trying to raise money to buy a bionic hand. Grants of up to £400 are being offered to schools in Somerset to encourage children to create new green spaces...and more.

A Somerset beef farmer says the trade deal between the UK and the US must ensure that animal welfare standards are maintained. The UK has agreed to allow 13,000 metric tonnes of beef imports from the US before tariffs apply. Around 1,000 tonnes a year are imported with a 20% tariff. James Small says the UK has some of the highest welfare standards in the world, and these standards need to be maintained.

A Somerset teenager is trying to raise money to buy a bionic hand. Paige Cox, who’s 17, was born without a right hand, which meant she was unable to apply for a place at a military training college. An army cadet, Paige hopes that getting a prosthetic hand will allow her to be re-considered for a military career.

The Chard Area Youth Committee, which commissions youth services in the town, is closing due to a shortage of funds. This is likely to lead to the shutdown of the Chard Young People’s Centre in Essex Close, with Active Learning and Skills, which are based at the venue, saying they will cease operating in July. Chard Town Council is being asked to step in with a rescue package, but a decision on providing emergency funding has yet to be made.

A key milestone has been reached in the ‘big build’ project at Yeovil College. £60 million is being spent across the campus to provide new teaching facilities, including a new Construction Innovation Centre that has just been topped out, a new multi-purpose Sports Centre, and a new state-of-the-art Teaching Centre.

Grants of up to £400 are being offered to schools in Somerset to encourage children to create new green spaces. The Somerset Gardens Trust, which promotes education in garden design and helps protect historic landscapes, has allocated £10,000 to fund school garden projects. In previous years, schools have been given money to build raised flower beds and buy gardening tools so that children can learn how to grow and care for flowers and vegetables.

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Wells Cathedral says it's having to get creative to bring in more money as financial pressures continue to grow. A convenience store in Martock has been allowed to keep its alcohol licence despite an employee working there illegally. Police have seized an illegally ridden e-scooter in Yeovil in response to concerns from local residents... and more
Thursday 29th October

A Yeovil man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for attacking his mother with a knife. People in Chard are being reminded that it’s unlawful to attach flags to lamp posts and street furniture. Wincanton Racecourse has called off its 'Badger Chase Day' because the ground is too firm... and more
Wednesday 28th October

Leweston School near Sherborne has announced that it is closing with immediate effect. NHS Somerset could merge with neighbours in Bath and North-East Somerset and Dorset to cut costs. Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant has launched a campaign to get more people nominated for national honours... and more
Tuesday 27th October

Work has started building a new six-million-pound flood defence scheme in Taunton. Plans have been submitted to build a new church hall in Martock. People are being asked to donate gifts to this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal... and more
Monday 26th October

Eligible groups in Somerset are being encouraged to get their flu jabs. There’s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside Avon & Somerset Police’s control room. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, has visited Yeovil... and more.
Friday 23rd October

Somerset is the 11th most challenging place in England to be a child according to a report. Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire could have its own elected ‘Wessex Mayor’ by 2028. Cricketer, Ian Botham returns to the county this weekend... and more.
Thursday 22nd October

The NFU says that testing for the virus Bluetongue needs to be sped up. Construction of new flats on Yeovil’s Grimsby Corner site will officially begin next year. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind tomorrow... and more.
Wednesday 21st October

The owner of campsite in Somerset says a two-thousand-seven-hundred percent increase in business rates will be 'catastrophic' for his business. Plans to build nearly 300 new homes on the outskirts of Chard have been given the go ahead. Yeovil Town are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Leatherhead 5-2 at Huish Park last night... and more