Tuesday 19th March

Tuesday, 19 March 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Visit Somerset says the number of people visiting Somerset's tourist attraction is on the increase, despite a downturn in visitor numbers at UK tourist attractions. A new doctors’ surgery could soon open in Bruton as part of a new housing scheme. A campaign’s been launched in Bradford Abbas for the village to be given back a post box... and more.

The CEO of Visit Somerset says the tourism industry in the county is bouncing back. John Turner's comments come as a new report suggests the number of visits to tourist attractions in the UK remains below pre-pandemic levels.

A new doctors’ surgery could soon open in Bruton as part of a new housing scheme. Developers Woolsington One Ltd have applied to build an estate of new homes on land to the north of Brewham Road. If the plans are approved, a new GP surgery would be opened in the area, funded in part by a financial contribution from the developers.

Plans have been announced to open a new banking hub in Sherborne. It follows the decision by Lloyds to close its branch in the town, leaving Sherborne without a bank. The banking hub would be run by LINK, the UK's cash access and ATM network, and would consist of a counter service operated by Post Office employees. LINK is now consulting local people on where in the town they would like the banking hub located.

A campaign’s been launched in Bradford Abbas for the village to be given back a post box. The local post box was sealed off and painted over when the Post Office in Bradford Abbas closed and was converted for residential use. Local councillor, Rodney Legg, has criticised the Post Office over their handling of the matter. He says officials have visited Bradford Abbas three times since November to find a place to locate a post box, but as yet they haven't been given back a post box...

Children at Herne View Primary School in Ilminster have received a thank you from Lenny Henry for raising more than £200 for Comic Relief. The school joined with the Apple Orchard Pre School in raising the money with children and teachers wearing something Red for last Friday’s Comic Relief Day.
A new High Sheriff of Somerset has been appointed. He’s Rob Beckley a retired police officer who lives in Pitminster and was formally installed in the role of High Sheriff at the annual legal service held in Wells Cathedral last weekend.

The tennis courts in Ilminster have again had to be closed after vandals damaged a gate. Ilminster Town Council, who manage the courts, say deliberate damage was done to the gate hinges, making it so the gate could not be properly opened or securely closed. The Council is asking anyone who knows those responsible to contact the Council.

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Friday 26 April

A man has been arrested in Castle Cary and charged with stalking, harassment and making threats to kill. The NHS in Somerset says its staff retention rate has improved over the past two years. A farmer in South Petherton is preparing to cycle 1,000 miles to raise money for charity...and more.
Thursday 25th April

The NHS is offering spring COVID-19 vaccines to people in Somerset who are at increased risk of serious illness from the virus. A new way of making roads safer for children in Somerset has started this week. A Yeovil-based apprentice has been named as a winner in the JTL Regional Awards. Haselbury Mill near Crewkerne has been put up for sale...and more
Wednesday 24th April

Yeovil Town FC have sent a strongly worded letter to the Football Association asking for plans to end FA Cup replays to be dropped. A Somerset woman who's spent the last 32 years living with Hepatitis C, says better support is needed for those affected by the contaminated blood scandal. A new school of musical theatre has opened in Chard...and more.
Tuesday 23rd April

Two teenage boys have admitted animal cruelty after filming themselves throwing a lamb down a stone staircase at Montacute. Somerset Council could lose around £5 million by selling the Marks and Spencer building in Yeovil. Chard, Wincanton, Castle Cary and Ansford are on a list of fifteen places in Somerset where new 20 mph speed limits could soon be introduced...and more.
Monday 22nd April

The parents of a two-week-old baby boy, accused of his murder at Yeovil Hospital, are to stand trial. Protesters have splashed red paint across the front of County Hall in Taunton for a second time. A comedy film about the world of competitive marrow-growing and made in Shepton Mallet has opened in cinemas across the UK...and more.
Friday 19th April

Work starts today building a new eastbound carriageway as part of dualling the A303 between Sparkford and Podimore. A childhood obesity clinic in Somerset has revealed that it is treating children as young as eight months old. Somerset Wildlife Trust has launched a campaign to recruit an army of young people to act as conservation champions...and more.
Thursday 18th April

A Martock man has been jailed after admitting to shining lasers at aircraft flying over Yeovil. Police are investigating an attempted break-in at the TK Maxx store at Babylon Hill. Nearly four hundred people have put their names forward for redundancy at Somerset Council...and more.
Wednesday 17 April

Three local primary schools have been named on a list of England's top five hundred primary schools. A new co-working space for businesswomen has opened in Wincanton. Urgent repairs are being carried out to Ilminster's new public clock after it started showing the wrong time...and more