Wednesday 30th October

Wednesday, 30 October 2024 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Council is facing a seven-and-a-half million-pound overspend on providing children’s services. The South West has one of the highest rates of underage smokers in England. A helicopter from RNAS Yeovilton has gone on permanent display at Portland Marina....and more.

Somerset Council is facing a seven-and-a-half million-pound overspend on providing children’s services in the current financial year. The Council says it’s due to increased numbers of children coming into the care system and higher costs of providing residential placements. In a report, the Council says there’s been a marked increase in children aged under two and between 10 and 15 coming into care, where serious youth violence, linked to criminal exploitation, has been a contributing factor.

South Western Railway, which operates trains through Crewkerne, Yeovil Junction and Sherborne stations, is repeating its offer of free travel to serving military personnel and veterans attending Remembrance Sunday events. The offer includes rail travel to the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London on Saturday, November 9th or Sunday, November 10th and to the Submariners’ Remembrance Service in London on Sunday, November 3rd. Details of the offer can be found on the South Western Railway website.

Five more libraries have been added to the list of those taking part in this year’s Winter Coat Exchange in Somerset. In our area, Street and Langport libraries are taking part in the scheme in which anyone needing a warm coat for the winter will be given a coat. If you have a coat to donate, you’re asked to please take it to your local library.

The South West, including Somerset, has one of the highest rates of smoking in England, with 1-in-20 11-to-15-year-olds engaged in the habit. This compares to only 1-in-100 11-to-15-year-olds smoking UK-wide. The report, published by Evapo, found that while 59% of underaged smokers get their cigarettes from friends and family, one in three get them from shops, despite it being illegal to sell cigarettes to someone under 18.

A helicopter from RNAS Yeovilton has been gifted to Portland Marina. Navy Lynx XZ250 served in the Falklands War and was in service for 32 years. It has been put on permanent display at Portland Marina to mark the site's former role as the Royal Naval Air Station HMS Osprey.

This year’s Somerset Trustee of the Year award has been given to Dr John Bowman who lives in Merriot. Doctor Bowman, a Trustee of Merriot Village Hall, was chosen for his work raising £80,000 to start a community lunch scheme and to re-fit the kitchens at the hall.

More from News

Wednesday 4th November

People in Somerset will go to the polls in May 2028 to elect a new mayor for the Wessex region. A Somerset farmer who failed a breath test after being caught asleep at the wheel of his tractor has narrowly avoided losing his driving licence. The new Ham Hill Visitor Centre has been named a regional winner in the Building Excellence Awards 2026... and more
tuesday 3rd November

Somerset Council says it doesn’t have the money to improve its planning enforcement team. Drivers are being advised that work to replace the central barrier on the M5 near Wellington starts this week. A health food shop in Chard has been crowned High Street Shop of the Year... and more
Monday 2nd November

A motorist was caught driving at 133mph on the A303 between Podimore and Sparkford, according to newly released data from Avon and Somerset Police. Taunton's Brewhouse Theatre closed for the last time at the weekend. Public firework displays in Ilminster and Martock have been cancelled due to rising costs... and more
Friday 30th October

Wells Cathedral says it's having to get creative to bring in more money as financial pressures continue to grow. A convenience store in Martock has been allowed to keep its alcohol licence despite an employee working there illegally. Police have seized an illegally ridden e-scooter in Yeovil in response to concerns from local residents... and more
Thursday 29th October

A Yeovil man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for attacking his mother with a knife. People in Chard are being reminded that it’s unlawful to attach flags to lamp posts and street furniture. Wincanton Racecourse has called off its 'Badger Chase Day' because the ground is too firm... and more
Wednesday 28th October

Leweston School near Sherborne has announced that it is closing with immediate effect. NHS Somerset could merge with neighbours in Bath and North-East Somerset and Dorset to cut costs. Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant has launched a campaign to get more people nominated for national honours... and more
Tuesday 27th October

Work has started building a new six-million-pound flood defence scheme in Taunton. Plans have been submitted to build a new church hall in Martock. People are being asked to donate gifts to this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal... and more
Monday 26th October

Eligible groups in Somerset are being encouraged to get their flu jabs. There’s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside Avon & Somerset Police’s control room. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, has visited Yeovil... and more.