Local News Friday 17th September

Friday, 17 September 2021 06:00

There's been a big increase in the number of phone appointments being carried out by family doctors in Somerset. It's the last day for care home workers in Somerset to get a first covid vaccine. Inquests into the deaths of two people in a crash involving a light aircraft at Buckland St Mary near Chard have been opened and adjourned. Plans for a giant solar farm that crosses into Dorset from South Somerset near South Perrott will soon be decided...and more.

There's been a big increase in the number of phone appointments being carried out by family doctors in Somerset. 20% of GP appointments were by phone in February 2021 and by July it had risen to 43% but the NHS in Somerset says despite huge demand for appointments at the moment, it is now seeing more patients in person than last summer.

It's the last day for care home workers in Somerset to get a first covid vaccine. On November 11th, it will be mandatory for staff to be fully vaccinated. Leader of Somerset county council David Fothergill says it means some employees will lose their jobs.

Inquests into the deaths of two people in a crash involving a light aircraft at Buckland St Mary near Chard have been opened and adjourned. The pilot Jonathan Mann and his passenger, Margaret Costa, were pronounced dead at the scene on August 12th. Post-mortem examinations show they died from multiple injuries. The inquests were adjourned pending a report from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

Plans for a giant solar farm that crosses into Dorset from South Somerset near South Perrott will soon be decided. The 54-hectare site, close to Pipplepen Farm on School Hill and to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is predicted to generate up to 32 megawatts, enough to provide electricity for around 10,000 homes. If planning consent is given, the site is expected to take between four and six months to develop and to be in operation for 30-years.

Plans have been submitted to build a 24-bed nursing home on the site of the former Lamb Inn pub at Horton Cross near Ilminster. The site lies near the Monks Yard conference venue, about half a mile from the Southfields roundabout, where the A358 joins the A303. South Somerset District Council is expected to make a decision on the new proposals before the end of the year.

A new shop and cafe have been approved at an animal rescue centre in Wincanton. Following the granting of planning permission the new outlets, as well as holiday accommodation, will be added to the site of the Somerset and Dorset Animal Rescue Centre in Common Lane.

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Thursday 24th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident in which a child was struck by a car in Yeovil. This week, a planning inquiry is being held into plans to turn a Somerset shopping centre into a retirement complex. A Somerset woman is planning to walk the 70-miles of Hadrian's Wall to mark her 90th birthday...and more.
Wednesday 23rd April

Tourism bosses in Somerset say they feel confident the County will have a good summer for visitors this year. A group representing care providers in Somerset is warning that some residential homes are at risk of going out of business due to rising costs. A Somerset animal charity has taken into care, three orphaned badger cubs...and more.
Tuesday 22nd April

The Care Quality Commission has given two GP practices in Yeovil a 'good' overall rating. According to insurers, AXA, thefts at commercial premises in Somerset are on the rise. Bus users in Somerset could see changes to the frequency of services when the new West of England mayor takes office. Martock is to host its first Pride event in June...and more.
Thursday 17th April

The father of a one-month-old baby boy in Chard is to stand trial for the murder of his son. New figures show that just under 1300 crimes were reported to the Police in Yeovil during the final quarter of last year. A night in a prison cell is offered at Shepton Mallet Jail to those who want to be alone this Easter...and more.
Wednesday 16th April

Big changes are being made to where taxi ranks in Yeovil are located. Farmers are being told to keep an extra lookout for people acting suspiciously following the latest livestock theft near the Devon and Somerset border. Channel 4’s Location Location Location is coming to Somerset, with anyone looking to buy a property locally invited to apply to be in the show...and more
Tuesday 15th April

A 36-year-old man remains in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of a sexual assault in Yeovil. Yeovil Labour Club has had its drinks licence revoked. NHS Somerset has been taking its physiotherapy team around the county to cut waiting times for patients. A men-only cooking course has been launched in Sherborne with all ingredients and equipment provided free of charge...and more
Monday 14th April

A new banking hub has opened in Crewkerne. South Western Ambulance is asking people to only dial 999 in a life-threatening emergency over the Easter weekend. £1.8 million is being spent improving walking and cycling routes around a major new housing development at Up Mudford in Yeovil...and more