Local News Friday August 12

    With Somerset on amber alert for extreme heat today, South West Ambulance is asking people to only dial 999 in an absolute emergency. The main A30 road through Sherborne is still closed following a gas leak that shut the road yesterday. Extra funding is being given to pay for improvements at Yeovil Crematorium. More volunteers are wanted to help young people in care in Somerset and Work is yet to start building a new McDonald’s off the Southfields roundabout on the A303.

    With Somerset on amber alert for extreme heat today, South West Ambulance is asking people to only dial 999 in an absolute emergency, and for all other advice to use NHS 111 or local chemists. With temperatures expected to reach 36 Celsius this weekend a drought could be declared for Somerset, with water restrictions introduced for local users.

    The main A30 road through Sherborne is still closed following a gas leak that shut the road yesterday. It followed an accident between Marston Road and Bristol Road in which a combine harvester hit a gas pipe, causing gas to escape, and posing a risk to people living nearby.

    Extra funding is being given to pay for improvements at Yeovil Crematorium. However, due to rising costs, some of the planned work, including demolishing the existing chapel and building new toilets, won’t now take place.

    More volunteers are wanted to help young people in care in Somerset. The Advocacy 1 Team is looking for adults to act as friends to young people, offering them advice and guidance throughout their teenage years. 

    Work is yet to start building a new McDonald’s off the Southfields roundabout on the A303 Ilminster by-pass. The drive-thru and restaurant, creating sixty-five new jobs, was due to open before Christmas last year. In a statement, McDonald’s says they don’t have an opening date in mind, nor a date for when construction work will begin.

    More from News

    • Friday 21st November

      A public inquiry is being held into plans to build a large solar farm in the village of Wayford. Fire crews have put out a small blaze at Tesco in Chard. Canadian firm KDC One is closing its Wellington factory, putting dozens of jobs at risk. It's Ilminster's turn to switch on the Christmas lights tonight... and more.

    • Thursday 20th November

      Taunton Town Council has agreed to provide funding for five years to support the town's Brewhouse Theatre. The Environment Agency is warning that Somerset could experience a drought next spring if this winter is drier than usual. We’re being asked to look out for rough sleepers during the current cold snap...and more

    • Wednesday 19th November 

      Yeovil MP Adam Dance is calling for stronger preventative measures to stop sewage discharges into local waterways. Somerset Council is to provide three new children's homes across the County. Street Football Club has appointed a father-and-son team to manage the club... and more.

    • Tuesday 18th November

      Somerset Council has set up a task force to help identify land for a permanent traveller’s site in the county. Police are appealing for information after a charity shop in Martock was targeted by burglars. A Somerset woman is seeking individuals with a connection to the armed forces to join a new amateur rowing club...and more.

    • Monday 17th November

      Workers belonging to the Unite union at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil are threatening further strike action. Dunelm says its Yeovil store in the Quedam will reopen on Tuesday, December 16th. A nurse working at Yeovil Hospital has won a place in the final of Miss England...and more.

    • Friday 14th November

      Yeovil Hospital has introduced a new system for handling patients at its A&E department aimed at cutting waiting times. It’s claimed that an Iron Age settlement preserved under Somerset's wetlands for 2,000 years is facing erosion due to climate change. Montacute Road in Tintinhull will be closed for five days next week for repairs to a gas main.

    • Thursday 13th November

      Workers at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil are taking part in a second day of strike action in their dispute over pay. Lloyds Bank has closed its branch in Chard permanently. A week-long programme of tree planting will be held at Ham Hill later this month to mark National Tree Week...and more

    • Wednesday 12th November

      Workers belonging to the Unite union at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil begin a two-day strike today. Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, has been speaking in a parliamentary debate on improving dyslexia support in schools. South Western Ambulance Service is inviting applications for positions on its governing council...and more

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Sunny intervals

      High: 6°C | Low: 0°C

    • Chard

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      High: 6°C | Low: 0°C

    • Crewkerne

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      High: 6°C | Low: 0°C

    • Somerton

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      High: 6°C | Low: 1°C

    • Wincanton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 6°C | Low: -1°C

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