Unions claim up to one thousand jobs could be cut at Somerset Council. People in Chard are being asked for suggestions about where in the town a cinema could be opened. The Gateway in Yeovil is the venue for a concert tonight, marking the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine...and more
A demonstration was held outside yesterday’s Somerset Council meeting at which cuts in spending of £100 million were approved, threatening the jobs of hundreds of Council workers. The Liberal Democrat-run authority says it has no alternative but to make the savings to avoid the Council going bankrupt. Nigel Behan from the union Unite says one thousand jobs at Somerset Council are at risk.
People in Chard are being asked for suggestions about where in the town a cinema could be opened. Local councillor, Connor Payne, who’s leading a campaign for a cinema in Chard is working with S and B Cinemas who run cinemas in Burnham-on-Sea, Minehead and Frome to make a cinema for Chard a reality. Councillor Payne would also welcome suggestions for a name for the cinema and can be contacted at: connor.payne@somerset.gov.uk
A former Castle Cary pub has moved closer to becoming a Co-op store. The Horse Pond Inn in The Triangle closed five years ago, with planning permission granted two years ago to convert it to a food outlet. Now, Co-Operative Food Ltd has submitted plans to install new signage at the former pub. When open, the store will have 3,000 square feet of floor space and 13 parking spaces.
Work has been completed on a 4-year project to smarten up the look of Chard town centre. The Chard Heritage Action Project has involved laying new pavements and freshening shop fronts. Restoration work has also been carried out on many of the 136 Listed Buildings in Chard, including the Guildhall and Chard School.
The Gateway in Yeovil is the venue for a concert of Ukrainian music and dance tonight, marking the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The performance starts at 8 pm with tickets at £10 available at the door. All proceeds will go to Aid for Ukraine.
Charity shops in Somerset report that they have received donations of dirty clothing and even soiled nappies. Plans have been submitted to build a further fifty new homes in Crewkerne. The National Audit Office says extra government funding to improve bus services, including in Somerset, has failed to deliver an increase in passenger numbers...and more
Dorset County Hospital is preparing to handle an increased number of births from now until the end of the year, following the closure of Yeovil Hospital's Maternity Unit. A number of former and current serving military personnel are pursuing the Ministry of Defence for compensation. Vandals have damaged a wooden shelter at the recreation ground in Ilminster...and more
Business owners in Chard say ongoing roadworks in Fore Street are hurting their trade. A vehicle has been destroyed in a fire at a farm at Charlton Mackrell. A new recycling scheme has been launched to support Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. Castle Carey has created a Scarecrow Festival...and more
A murder trial starts today of the parents of a baby boy who died in Yeovil Hospital. Somerset residents are being asked to keep an eye on elderly neighbours, with temperatures expected to reach the high 20s again today. A tiny black kitten has been found inside a crate of laundry delivered to a cleaning business in Yeovil...and more
The Care Quality Commission has published its report into the running of the maternity unit at Yeovil Hospital. A public consultation has been launched into plans to build 150 new homes at Horton near Ilminster. A Chard man has embarked on walking 75 miles across Somerset, raising money for the Devon Air Ambulance...and more
Yeovil MP Adam Dance is calling for Yeovil Hospital to be included in the government's national review of NHS maternity services. A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with four counts of fraud. Yeovil Town players will be modelling the club’s new home and away strip at Huish Park this evening...and more.
Thousands more music fans will arrive at Worthy Farm for the start of Glastonbury Festival. The government has granted Somerset Council a stay of execution, allowing it to defer a spending deficit on special needs education. A party has been held to mark the 100th birthday of a Somerset woman who has lived in the same house for 100 years...and more.
Businesses at the Cartgate services off the A303 near Yeovil say they feel threatened by Welcome Break Ltd's plans to build a new, bigger services area right next door. A man who lives in Tintinhull, found nearly double the drink drive limit, has been given a 20-month driving ban. Police are warning of fake tickets being on sale for Glastonbury Festival...and more