Wednesday 31st July

Wednesday, 31 July 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Yeovil’s new Lib Dem MP is calling for more investment in Somerset’s ambulance service following an incident. Police are appealing for help identifying protesters caught on CCTV spraying red paint across the front of the County Hall in Taunton. One hundred dresses have gone on display at Shepton Mallet prison, raising money for local charities...and more.

Yeovil’s new Lib Dem MP Adam Dance is calling for more investment in Somerset’s ambulance service following an incident in which a pensioner with heatstroke was made to wait eight hours to be treated by paramedics. South Western Ambulance has apologised for the delay saying that more needs to be done to ensure a quicker handover of patients at hospital emergency departments.

Police are appealing for help identifying a group of protesters caught on CCTV spraying red paint across the front of the County Hall in Taunton. The incident at the weekend was the fourth such attack of its kind on County Hall this year. The protesters want a defence company evicted from a building owned by Somerset Council which they claim has links to Isreal. The company involved denied the claim. Avon and Somerset Police have posted a video of the latest incident on their website hoping that someone will recognize those responsible.

A consultation has been launched to help shape a new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy for Somerset. Somerset Council is asking for comments from local people and those closely involved in the sector, including social care, housing and public health. To submit a comment go to the Somerset Council website.

St John’s Almshouse in Sherborne is to get a major makeover, including the creation of a new tea room, alongside affordable accommodation. A joint scheme, involving the Almshouse and Sherborne Abbey, will see space retained for affordable accommodation, with the downstairs of the property becoming a tearoom. Other rooms upstairs will also be used for a young people's centre and community group meetings. A public meeting for all interested parties, to find out more and share views, will take place at the Almshouse in the coming weeks.

One hundred dresses have gone on display at Shepton Mallet prison, raising money for local charities. The dresses have been created from old wedding dresses as part of the New Clothes Project, which started five years ago.

More from News

Monday 15th September

NHS Somerset says it’s 'fully committed' to re-opening maternity services at Yeovil Hospital, but won't say when it will reopen. Water levels at Somerset's reservoirs have dropped below 50%, despite the recent heavy rain. A charity shop in Martock has reunited a long-lost compass with its owner after he lost it 70 years ago...and more
Friday 12th September

One of Somerset's most prominent horse trainers says planned tax increases on remote betting could be a ‘nail in the coffin’ for horse racing. An Ilchester man has been arrested in connection with a burglary in West Dorset. Somerset Council’s Chief Executive and other senior officers have been given a 3.2% pay rise...and more
Thursday 11th September

A bill put forward by Yeovil MP Adam Dance, calling for better awareness of pupil neurodivergent behaviour in schools, has passed its first reading in the Commons. Around 40 thousand people in Somerset could have undiagnosed high blood pressure. Dozens of bikers will take to the roads in Somerset this weekend in support of a breast cancer charity...and more
Wednesday 10th September

Yeovil Town Football Club has been given a two-year extension to buy back Huish Park from Somerset Council. A takeaway business in Bridgwater has been stripped of its licence after three employees were discovered working there illegally. A company in South Chard has been celebrating its 200th anniversary...and more
Tuesday 9th September

People are being asked to comment on proposals to introduce Sunday charges at Somerset Council-run car parks. A Pilton man has been jailed after cannabis valued at £28,500 was found at his home. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has started an appeal to raise £1 million...and more.
Monday 8th September

Farmers in Somerset will be driving their tractors to protest at Labour’s annual Party Conference in Liverpool later this month. A Somerset animal rescue centre says it’s dealing with a surge in the number of large dog breeds being surrendered or rehomed. The George Inn in Ilminster has announced that it will be reopening to customers on Monday, September 15th...and more
Friday 5th September

A large water leak in Yeovil closed part of Middle Street last night whilst repairs took place. A Somerset MP has been voicing his concerns over warnings of future flood dangers in the county. The Wincanton branch of Lidl could be demolished to be replaced with a bigger store...and more.
Thursday 4th September

A new leisure complex on the edge of Yeovil will be built, after plans were approved by Somerset Council. Landmarks across the south-west will be illuminated from Monday to mark Air Ambulance Week. YAOS are hoping to trace passengers stranded at Gander Airport in Newfoundland after the 9/11 attacks...and more.