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.
Somerset Olympic Rower, Helen Glover, will be carrying the Team GB flag, together with diver Tom Daley, at this evening's opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. Work has been completed building a new mental health ward in Yeovil. Martock Library is reducing its opening hours after losing funding from the Parish Council...and more.
A crowdfunding appeal has been launched raising money to help find a Chard man missing for almost two weeks in Sardinia. Somerset Council is to sell off some of its buildings to help balance the books. Building work on the UK's biggest electric vehicle battery factory near Bridgwater will begin next month...and more.
Drivers at Buses for Somerset are involved in a second day of strike action today. Police in Yeovil confiscated a motorbike that was being ridden without insurance. This year’s Charter Fair in Crewkerne will take place over three days from the 6th to the 8th of September. The main road through the cliffs at Cheddar Gorge is closed again today for filming...and more.
A sub-postmistress from Wells, falsely accused of stealing by the Post Office, is celebrating after finally being paid compensation. An amateur jockey from near Sherborne is in hospital after sustaining a serious back injury in a fall. A man who became violent towards staff at Hollywood Bowl in Yeovil has been jailed...and more.
The RSPCA in Somerset has reported a big increase in cases of animal cruelty. The mother of a Chard man, missing for more than a week in Sardinia, has launched a desperate plea to find him. A book detailing the life of one of Stalbridge’s most famous sons, the author Douglas Adams, has been gifted to Stalbridge Town Council...and more.
Glovers Walk shopping centre in Yeovil is to be demolished. The Rock and Ribs music festival starts at Wincanton racecourse today. A mobile clinic, part of the UK’s largest-ever health research programme, is coming to Chard and Yeovil. A new community magazine has been launched in Sparkford...and more.
Plans have been submitted to build 650 new houses in Wincanton. Farmers in Somerset have criticised Avon and Somerset Police for re-deploying four officers from the rural crime team. Glastonbury and Somerton MP, Sarah Dyke, has written to the new Transport Secretary asking for a meeting about restoring a rail link between Langport and Somerton...and more.
Work to upgrade the gas network on Preston Road in Yeovil begins later this month. Somerset Council has been given the go-ahead to deliver the final phase of the Yeovil Refresh project. The wet weather is being blamed for a big drop in visitor numbers to Somerset this summer...and more.