Local News Friday 23rd September

Friday, 23 September 2022 06:00

Somerset County Council is to end its lease agreement on renting Dillington House, near Ilminster. The Falkland Square shopping centre in Crewkerne has a new owner. There’ll be no fireworks display at Sherborne Castle this year. Somerset County Council says it’s expecting more care homes to shut this winter because of rising costs and staff shortages. Wessex Water is undertaking water main works on two roads in Chard and Ilminster later this month...and more.

Somerset County Council is to end its lease agreement on renting Dillington House, near Ilminster. The council has been a tenant at the stately home since the 1960s using it for adult education and weddings. Somerset County Council says it’s pulling out because it can no longer justify the costs involved in subsidising the running of the venue.

The Falkland Square shopping centre in Crewkerne has a new owner. The complex that consists of eleven retail units has been acquired by Evolve Estates Ltd, a firm of London-based property investors.

There’ll be no fireworks display at Sherborne Castle this year. The event was due to take place on Saturday, November 4th but organisers have cancelled holding it blaming rising costs.

Somerset County Council says it’s expecting more care homes to shut this winter because of rising costs and staff shortages. Eight homes in Somerset went out of business in the last six months. The council has set aside 1.2 million pounds to deal with any further closures.

Wessex Water is undertaking water main works on two roads in Chard and Ilminster later this month. From October 3rd to November 25th temporary traffic lights will operate on the old A303 through Ilminster as work takes place there. In Chard, Summerfields Road will be closed in places from September 22nd to November 3rd for repairs to take place.

Sixteen-year-old, Becca Randolph from Chaffcombe, near Chard, has raised £750 for charity by taking part in a skydive. Becca made her brave descent at Dunkeswell Airfield near Honiton last weekend and has donated the money she raised to a national learning disability charity.

More from News

Wednesday 29th October

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.
Tuesday 28th October

Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more
Monday 27th October

The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more
Friday 24th October

New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more
Thursday 23rd October

Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more
Wednesday 22nd October

A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more .
Tuesday 21st October

Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid out compensation of £23 million for claims related to birth injuries. A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre...and more
Monday 20th October

Somerton and Glastonbury MP, Sarah Dyke, says the government needs to get an urgent grip on the worsening dentistry situation in her constituency. Bridgwater Town Council has criticised plans by the Somerset Council to charge for Sunday parking. Somerset Council’s Libraries service has launched its Winter Coat Exchange scheme for a third year...and more