Local News Monday 26th July

Monday, 26 July 2021 06:00

Somerset's Director of Public Health, Trudi Grant, says the rules allowing NHS and social care staff to go to work after being told to self-isolate should only be used in "absolute emergency situations”. With the start of the summer holidays upon us, drivers are being reminded to check their vehicles before heading out on long journeys. Plans have been submitted to build five new houses in South Petherton...and more.

Somerset's Director of Public Health, Trudi Grant, says the rules allowing NHS and social care staff to go to work after being told to self-isolate should only be used in "absolute emergency situations”. She says employers need to consider that the virus could be spread by allowing employees, who have been told to self-isolate, back into the workplace.

With the start of the summer holidays upon us, drivers are being reminded to check their vehicles before heading out on long journeys. Highways England says 1 in 5 breakdowns on main routes like the A303 through South Somerset is caused by drivers not checking tyre pressures before setting off.

Somerset-based 40 Commando Royal Marines have been testing unmanned drone technology as a way of getting ammunition and medical supplies to the front line. The exercise, aimed at helping the Marines operate more efficiently, comes ahead of further testing by NATO of unmanned drones in America later this year.

Plans have been submitted to build five new houses in South Petherton. If approved by South Somerset District Council, they would be on land at The Old Fruit Farm in New Cross.

Demand for Somerset’s mental health services has risen by a third since the start of the pandemic. Somerset NHS says the majority of new cases are not connected to lockdown but young people anxious and depressed depression about their weight and body image.

The death has been announced of former Westland’s Test Pilot, John Fay. John Fay was a pioneer of rotorcraft flying in the 1950's and 60’s, he also played a pivotal role in the development of the Lynx helicopter. He died earlier this month, just a few weeks short of reaching his 100th birthday.

An arts group in Yeovil is asking people to decorate the front of their houses and gardens to celebrate the idea of ‘Home’. Yeovil Arts Space plans to create an artistic walking trail around the town and is asking people to be as creative with their designs.

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Wednesday 12th March

A charity in Somerset is appealing for support after one of its sites was vandalised. The Leader of Somerset Council has been to Westminster to put the case for central government to provide councils with more money. A new primary school is to built in Chard.... and more
Tuesday 11th March

The union representing workers at Somerset Council is warning of further job cuts at the council next year. Secondary school pupils in Somerset are being offered help to withstand peer pressure to vape or smoke. The bells of St George's Church in Hinton St George have been fully restored after becoming difficult to ring ... and more
Monday 10th March

A property in Raglan Terrace in Yeovil has been closed down by a court order after it was linked to anti-social behaviour. NHS Somerset says investing in nurse apprenticeships has helped to boost recruitment. A new community garden has opened in Chard.... and more
Friday 7th March

The Leader of Somerset Council has repeated his call for a reform of the way that councils are funded. Crimestoppers is stepping up efforts to help tackle violent crime in Somerset. A new radar satellite is playing a crucial role in collecting data about flooding in Somerset...and more
Thursday 6th March

Somerset Council has approved a seven-and-a-half percent increase in council tax. People are being asked to return boxes of paracetamol bought from Boots Chemists in Somerset. It’s been revealed that five members of staff at Somerset Council are being allowed to work from home outside the UK...and more
Wednesday 5th March

Somerset Council has been told that hundreds of millions of pounds in loans taken out by former district councils, including South Somerset, have to be paid back. A Somerset charity says it needs more volunteers to help with research into new treatments for dementia. A local shop owner has welcomed Somerset Council’s decision to scrap plans to charge for parking after 6 pm...and more.
Tuesday 4th March

The population of Somerset has reached record levels with nearly one in ten born outside the UK. Stanchester School in Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been rated as ‘requiring improvement’. Experts have been called in to appraise a 15th-century piece of artwork in Sherborne...and more.
Monday 3rd March

A woman from Crewkerne has been fined £280 for assaulting two emergency workers. Plans have been announced to open new NHS dental surgeries in Chard and Crewkerne. A Yeovil man has been thanked for raising £10,000 for the cardiac charity Heartbeat...and more