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.

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Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more