Local News Tuesday 21st June

Tuesday, 21 June 2022 06:00

The head of tourism in Somerset says this week’s rail strikes will have a major impact on local tourism. Plans have been submitted to open a new NHS facility for children with autism and learning disabilities in Yeovil. A company that runs public swimming pools in Somerset says it's having difficulty sourcing supplies of chlorine. Farmfest planned to take place in Bruton in late July, has been cancelled due to poor ticket sales. A new national charity's been set up in the South West to support retired public service animals...andmore.

The head of tourism in Somerset says this week’s rail strikes will have a major impact on local tourism. The CEO of Visit Somerset, John Turner, says with trains not running and the cost of living crisis, Somerset’s tourism sector is facing a perfect storm.

Plans have been submitted to open a new NHS facility for children with autism and learning disabilities in Yeovil. The Somerset Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service have applied for a change of use on 105a Preston Road from residential to residential mental health. The planning application also includes building a small single-storey garden room extension at the rear of the building and a raised terrace area to the side.

A company that runs public swimming pools in Somerset says it's having difficulty sourcing supplies of chlorine. The problem is a lack of basic ingredients needed to produce chlorine and companies that make chlorine still dealing with a backlog of orders from the pandemic.

Farmfest planned to take place in Bruton in late July, has been cancelled due to poor ticket sales. Organisers of the two-day music event claim tickets haven’t sold well because people are facing big increases in their living costs.

A new national charity's been set up in the South West to support retired public service animals. Former police dog handlers and those who worked with dogs for the Ministry of Defence are being contacted by the newly formed National Federation for Retired Service Animals with a view to animals being given a good retirement.

An exhibition has opened of artwork produced by children at Greenfylde First School in Ilminster. The display showcasing the work of every pupil from pre-school to year four can be viewed at The Meeting House Arts Centre. The school has a separate display running at The Minster in Ilminster. It’s based on the school’s involvement in Sunflowers of Somerset, a community project aimed at encouraging people to grow sunflowers.

More from News

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
Friday 17th October

A new £7 million primary school and nursery is to be built in the grounds of Holyrood Academy in Chard. A public consultation has opened into plans to merge the parishes of Ansford and Castle Cary. The nomination papers that paved the way for Margaret Thatcher to become Britain's first female Prime Minister have been uncovered in a Somerset garage...and more
Thursday 16th October

Two mothers in Chard are calling on carnival organisers to make carnivals more accessible to children with special educational needs. 4,000 people have been put on a waiting list at a new NHS dental practice in Somerset. Channel 4’s ‘Love It or List It’ is looking to feature properties in Somerset in a new series... and more