Wednesday 27th September

Wednesday, 27 September 2023 07:00

By Steve Haigh

A Somerset head teacher is calling for tighter regulation on vaping after seeing a significant rise in pupils vaping on school premises. Somerset Council says it's facing significantly higher costs with the planned upgrade of Yeovil's Octagon Theatre. Avon and Somerset Police will soon start deploying a drone in the fight against rural crime...and more.

A Somerset head teacher is calling for tighter regulation on vaping after seeing a significant rise in the number of his pupils vaping on school premises. Figures show that around one in five secondary school pupils have tried vaping. Mark Woodlock, Head of the Blue School in Wells, has sent an email to parents urging them to have conversations with their children about the dangers of vaping.

Somerset Council is seeking further financial support to pay for the planned upgrade of Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre. The Council plans to spend twenty-nine million pounds on the upgrade that would see the Octagon virtually rebuilt with three hundred extra seats, a bigger stage, and two boutique cinemas. But with higher interest rates and increased building costs, it’s thought the final bill for the works will be significantly more than twenty-nine million. Somerset Council, which is facing a twenty-six million pound overspend in the current financial year, is reviewing all spending, including capital projects. Executive Members at the Council are due to discuss the Octagon project at a meeting on Wednesday, October 4th.

People in Somerset are being asked about their experiences of accessing NHS dental care in a new survey. Healthwatch Somerset has launched the questionnaire in response to the shortage of NHS dentists in Somerset, and the high cost of obtaining private dental treatment. The survey is available on the Healthwatch Somerset website.

Avon and Somerset Police will soon start deploying a drone in the fight against rural crime. It follows Wildlife Crime Officer, PC Stefan Edwards, gaining an Aeriel Vehicle Operators licence. PC Edwards is now able to pilot a drone to search for stolen machinery and equipment, while on patrol in the countryside.

An Ilminster woman, Ingrid Bloomfield, is appealing for some free warehouse space to use for filling shoeboxes with Christmas gifts for sending to children in Ukraine. Ingrid is asking for someone to loan her between two and four thousand square feet of floor space within a ten-mile radius of Ilminster for her charity work.

More from News

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