Wednesday 4th December

Wednesday, 4 December 2024 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Two weeks after Storm Bert, people in the village of Chaffcombe near Chard still do not have broadband and landline phones. A new report warns that drivers are far more likely to be killed or seriously injured on rural roads in Somerset than on urban roads. Staff and children at Tatworth Primary School near Chard are celebrating after winning the annual Somerset School's Maths Challenge.

People in the village of Chaffcombe near Chard are still without broadband and landline phones two weeks after Storm Bert. A tree that fell on cabling during high winds left more than 200 homes without broadband and phone connectivity, and no date for when normal service will be resumed. Residents say with communications cut off and a mobile phone signal virtually non-existent in the village, their main concern is not being able to contact the emergency services, should a local emergency arise (story and photo courtesy of Chard and Ilminster News).

A new report is warning that drivers are far more likely to be killed or seriously injured on rural roads in Somerset, than on urban roads. NFU Mutual, which is behind the report, says 107 people in the South West died on rural roads in 2023, compared to 34 in urban areas. NFU Mutual has now produced a Code for Countryside Roads to try and improve safety.

New times have been issued for recycling and rubbish collections over the festive period. If your usual collection day is Wednesday 25th of December it will change to Friday 27th of December. If your usual collection day is Thursday 26th of December it will change to Saturday 28th of December and if your usual pick-up day is Friday 27th of December it will change to Sunday 29th of December. All of Somerset’s recycling sites, including the one at Houndstone in Yeovil, will be open over the Christmas and New Year period, except on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Garden collections will be suspended from Wednesday, 25th of December and will resume on Wednesday 8th of January.

Somerset Council is asking for comments on proposed changes to admission arrangements to schools in the County. This includes proposed changes to catchment areas, the number of school places available and how they are allocated. If you have a child due to start or transfer school in September 2026 you may wish to make a comment. The consultation is open now and runs until January 20th.

A Somerset business has been talking about its involvement with the hit film Wicked, which is currently showing in cinemas. Coates English Willow made a balloon basket for the movie.

Staff and children at Tatworth Primary School near Chard are celebrating after winning the annual Somerset School's Maths Challenge. 60 schools took part in the day-long competition with Tatworth's Year-six team, led by teachers, Mrs Hewitson and Mrs Webb, emerging as the overall winners

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Thursday 29th October

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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.
Friday 23rd October

Somerset is the 11th most challenging place in England to be a child according to a report. Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire could have its own elected ‘Wessex Mayor’ by 2028. Cricketer, Ian Botham returns to the county this weekend... and more.
Thursday 22nd October

The NFU says that testing for the virus Bluetongue needs to be sped up. Construction of new flats on Yeovil’s Grimsby Corner site will officially begin next year. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind tomorrow... and more.
Wednesday 21st October

The owner of campsite in Somerset says a two-thousand-seven-hundred percent increase in business rates will be 'catastrophic' for his business. Plans to build nearly 300 new homes on the outskirts of Chard have been given the go ahead. Yeovil Town are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Leatherhead 5-2 at Huish Park last night... and more