Wednesday 15th May

Wednesday, 15 May 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Council seeking to save £40 million by cutting one thousand jobs says 201 employees have so far applied to leave the authority based on voluntary redundancy. East Somerset Railway near Shepton Mallet has been used for filming the TV adaptation of Jilly Cooper's novel Rivals. An old-style red phone box in Castle Cary is being turned into Somerset's smallest museum...and more

Somerset Council seeking to save £40 million by cutting one thousand jobs says 201 employees have so far applied to leave the authority based on voluntary redundancy. The Council has allocated eight million pounds to cover the costs of the first round of redundancies with more employees coming forward to take voluntary redundancy when round two of the jobs cut programme launches. At a meeting of Somerset Council next week, members are being asked to approve redundancy payments to an initial forty-nine employees of up to £100,000 each.

Somerset’s mobile reuse initiative Fixy has been recognised for encouraging the repair and reuse of broken electrical items. The project, which is managed by Resource Futures in partnership with Somerset Council and Donate IT, has been shortlisted in the Reuse Initiative of the Year category at the Awards for Excellence in Recycling and Waste Management.

East Somerset Railway near Shepton Mallet has been used for filming the TV adaptation of Jilly Cooper's novel Rivals. The eight-part series is expected to air on Disney Plus later in the year.

Tennis lovers are being given the opportunity to play for free at Chard Tennis Club this weekend. Free use of the courts at Chard Tennis Club is offered as part of an Open Day at the Club premises in Zembard Lane on Saturday.

An old-style phone box in Castle Cary has been saved from demolition. The traditional red phone box dating from is being turned into Somerset's smallest museum, exhibiting items of historical interest about Castle Cary.

Members of the Leonardo Armed Forces Network Group have been visiting NavyWings at RNAS Yeovilton. The group was there to reflect on this year’s 80th anniversary of VE Day. Amongst the aircraft at NavyWings is a Westland Wasp; a first-generation jet engine helicopter built for the Royal Navy and a heritage product of Leonardo.

More from News

Thursday 1st May

There’s been a call for the Somerset Levels to be designated a National Landscape. A Yeovil man has raised £2,000 for a new school minibus at Fairmead School in Yeovil by running the London Marathon. Exmoor Ales, which provides cask ales across the region and beyond, is closing its Somerset brewery and moving the business to Surrey...and more.
Wednesday 30th April

The long-awaited refurbishment of Yeovil police station is finally to get underway this summer. Plans have been approved to build 185 new homes off Bunford Lane in Yeovil. Police have arrested three men in Yeovil for being involved in the supply of Class A drugs. A Somerset jockey has been named Champion Conditional Jockey of 2025...and more.
Tuesday 29th April

New figures have shown that registering as a new patient with an NHS dentist in Somerset is still just as difficult as it was six months ago. The go-ahead has been given to build 160 new houses on Station Road in Castle Cary. A sailor from South Petherton has been chosen to lead a team in the round-the-world Clipper Race...and more.
Monday 28th April

Somerset Council is being criticised for taking too long to re-open Yeovil's Octagon Theatre. The Liberal Democrats have won a seat on Chard Town Council by one vote. Dates have been announced for this year’s illuminated carnival processions in South Somerset...and more.
Friday 25th April

Police are investigating the theft of a motorbike in Ilminster. Tributes have been paid to the former Yeovil Town player-manager, Cecil Irwin, who has died aged 83. Town criers from across the South West will be in Yeovil tomorrow competing for the loudest voice in the Yeovil Town Crier Competition 2025...and more
Thursday 24th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident in which a child was struck by a car in Yeovil. This week, a planning inquiry is being held into plans to turn a Somerset shopping centre into a retirement complex. A Somerset woman is planning to walk the 70-miles of Hadrian's Wall to mark her 90th birthday...and more.
Wednesday 23rd April

Tourism bosses in Somerset say they feel confident the County will have a good summer for visitors this year. A group representing care providers in Somerset is warning that some residential homes are at risk of going out of business due to rising costs. A Somerset animal charity has taken into care, three orphaned badger cubs...and more.
Tuesday 22nd April

The Care Quality Commission has given two GP practices in Yeovil a 'good' overall rating. According to insurers, AXA, thefts at commercial premises in Somerset are on the rise. Bus users in Somerset could see changes to the frequency of services when the new West of England mayor takes office. Martock is to host its first Pride event in June...and more.