Wednesday 14th February

Wednesday, 14 February 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Parents say that they are worried about planned cuts to the budget for providing transport to children with special needs. East Street in Chard is closed today for repairs to an electric cable. A car has crashed into a gatepost at Cricket St Thomas that featured in the BBC comedy ‘To the Manor Born’...and more.

Parents say that they are worried about planned cuts to the budget for providing transport to children with special needs. Somerset Council, which is looking to make savings of £100 million, wants teenagers with special educational needs and disabilities to learn to use public transport rather than taxis and minibuses for getting to school.

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police has defended criticism from her officers for allowing Channel 4 to film the force's standards department. The final episode of "To Catch A Copper" shown earlier this week, included allegations of sexual misconduct made against officers. Avon and Somerset Police Federation has expressed frustration with the documentary, claiming a lack of balance.

East Street in Chard, in the direction leading out of the town, is closed today for repairs to an electric cable. Traffic is being diverted via Crowshute Lane, with East Street due to re-open on Friday.

A car has crashed into a gatepost at Cricket St Thomas that featured in the BBC comedy ‘To the Manor Born’. The stone structure, situated next to the house lived in by Audrey Forbes Hamilton, was left broken into several pieces following the collision. Police say their enquiries into who was responsible are ongoing.

More than one million recordings of birdsong have been made as part of a project to monitor bird populations on the Somerset Levels. The recordings are being analysed using Artificial intelligence to help improve biodiversity on the Levels.

The Ferne Animal Sanctuary has opened a new store in Crewkerne. The outlet in Falkland Square will be officially opened on Friday, February 23rd by local MP Marcus Fysh.

The charity Brainwave is appealing for volunteers to run its shop in Ilminster. Volunteers carry out tasks that include customer engagement, creative merchandising, and sorting out donations. To apply, go to the Brainwave website.