Wednesday 17 April

Wednesday, 17 April 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

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

Three primary schools in South Somerset have been named in The Times newspaper's top 500 primary schools in England. The schools are Preston Primary in Yeovil, which is ranked in 25th place. Kingsbury Episcopi Primary, near Langport, was ranked 447th. The Countess Gytha Primary School, in Queen Camel, was ranked 47th. The schools were judged on the percentage of pupils who achieved their expected grades in the 2023 SATS tests.

Parents in Somerset have been told what primary schools their child will be attending next year. Somerset Council says 95% or 4,894 children have been offered their first choice primary school. 153 children have been offered their second choice and 28 their third choice primary school.

A new co-working space for businesswomen has opened in Wincanton. The SEED Hub is designed for remote workers to collaborate, exchange ideas and take part in business skills workshops.

Avon and Somerset Police are staging a ‘Walk and Talk’ event in the café at Ninesprings in Yeovil starting at 6 pm tonight. The event is being held for women and young girls to discuss their safety concerns with female police officers.

A Chard hair salon has won a top local hairdressing award. Residents and customers voted Styles Hair Salon in Commercial Row as the winner of the Chard and Ilminster Hairdresser of the Year competition. Bertiful Hair and Beauty in Chard, and the Ben Russell Salon in Ilminster came runners-up.

Repairs are being carried out to the new public clock in Ilminster that was unveiled only two months ago in memory of the late Queen Elizabeth. Locals say it has been very confusing with the clock in Silver Street not showing the correct time.

More from News

Wednesday 24th June

Somerset Council has activated its ‘Severe Weather Emergency Protocol’. Many schools are closing their doors for 48 hours. Great Western Railway is advising essential travel only... and more
Tuesday 22nd June

Police have appealed for information following an incident in Yeovil. The Met Office has issued a rare red extreme heat warning. Somerset Council in inviting locals to have their say on how the county could change in the future... and more
Monday 21st June

Somerset Council is set to lose tens of millions of pounds from selling off properties. Hundreds of people gathered at Glastonbury Tor to mark the summer solstice. The police and crime commissioner has expressed her support for a social media ban for under 16s.... and more
Friday 19th June

An amber heat health alert has been issued for Somerset with high temperatures expected to continue into next week. Schools across Somerset are taking part in a pilot scheme teaching children about money laundering. Ham Hill Country Park has been recognised with a top award for its efforts to protect the countryside... and more
Thursday 18th June

Children in care in Somerset are not receiving a good enough service, according to inspectors. NHS Somerset says dental care in the county is improving for the first time since the pandemic. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is holding a topless open-water swim...and more
Wednesday 17th June

Avon and Somerset Police say they'll be carrying out enhanced patrols for drink and drug driving during and after England's opening World Cup game tonight. Somerset Chamber of Commerce is warning that the conflict in Iran is having a serious impact on local businesses. A master thatcher based in Ilminster says the traditional craft of thatching is under threat because of a lack of training opportunities...and more
Tuesday 16th June

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal two-vehicle crash on the A358 near Ilminster. A man from Norton-sub-Hamdon has appeared in court charged with drink driving. An original Mr Blobby costume from the former Blobbyland theme park at Cricket St Thomas has been put up for sale... and more
Monday 15th June

People in Somerset are being asked to take part in a new survey about alcohol use. Yeovil's MP Adam Dance will lead a debate in Parliament today on NHS dentistry. A Yeovil runner has been selected to represent England at a national endurance championship... and more