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.

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Fifteen thousand people have signed a petition calling on Somerset Council to cancel plans for a huge data centre in Bridgwater. A nest of Asian hornets has been found in Somerset. More patients in Somerset are set to benefit from a hospital project aimed at restoring independence... and more
Wednesday 2nd September

Yeovil-based charity, School in a Bag, has started sending supplies to Nepal to help in the aftermath of the devastating floods. 6,000 people have signed a petition opposing plans for a new relief road in Chard. The Royal British Legion in Somerset is appealing for more volunteers to help run this year’s Poppy Appeal... and more
Tuesday 1st September

One person had to be cut free from a vehicle following a two-vehicle collision on the A30 near Chard. A Yeovil man has been jailed for 7-and-a-half years for supplying cocaine and cannabis. Two Somerset teenagers have become the youngest to swim the Bristol Channel... and more
Friday 28th August

An organisation that investigates loan sharks has opened a branch in Taunton. Free parking on Sundays in Somerset's main towns could end just before Christmas. Local communities in and around Draycott will be able to take advantage of a shuttle bus service... and more.
Thursday 27th August

A 21 mile stretch of the M5 is to be given a 50mph speed limit for three years. Chard remains a safe place to work, live and visit say Avon & Somerset Police. Sunflowers of Somerset is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a photography competition and community activities... and more.
Wednesday 26th August

Two people have been arrested and released under investigation after the death of a baby in Crewkerne. A large sand picture of the prime minister has appeared in Burnham On Sea. The wet winter and hot summer means cider producers are struggling with their yields... and more.
Tuesday 25th August

Fire crews have been dealing with a fire in Ilchester which broke out yesterday afternoon. Somerset’s frontline health services say heatwaves and tourism are making their jobs more difficult. A Chard health store has been named Natural Lifestyle Retailer of the Year.. and more.
Monday 24th August

The Chair of the NFU has repeated calls for a longer-term plan to tackle bluetongue, Three men have been jailed for their involvement in car key burglaries in Somerset. Police say they’re treating a fire in Norton Fitzwarren as suspicious... and more.