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.

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Friday 3rd May

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Thursday 2nd May

Voting is taking place today to elect a new Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset. NHS Somerset says the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital will stay open until a new replacement unit is built in Dorchester. A supermarket worker has retired after spending 52 years working at the same store in Ilminster...and more.
Wednesday 1st May

SUEZ, the company that collects Somerset’s waste is warning it may cease operations. Twenty thousand pounds is being spent cleaning red paint off the front of County Hall in Taunton following a series of pro-Palestinian demonstrations. An occupational therapist at Yeovil Hospital has won an award for her smart appearance at work...and more.
Tuesday 30th April

Somerset Council is taking legal action to remove an arms company from one of its commercial properties. Waste collection days across Somerset are set to change next month due to two impending bank holidays. An archaeological survey has begun on the proposed site of a new skate park in Bruton... and more.
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Friday 26 April

A man has been arrested in Castle Cary and charged with stalking, harassment and making threats to kill. The NHS in Somerset says its staff retention rate has improved over the past two years. A farmer in South Petherton is preparing to cycle 1,000 miles to raise money for charity...and more.
Thursday 25th April

The NHS is offering spring COVID-19 vaccines to people in Somerset who are at increased risk of serious illness from the virus. A new way of making roads safer for children in Somerset has started this week. A Yeovil-based apprentice has been named as a winner in the JTL Regional Awards. Haselbury Mill near Crewkerne has been put up for sale...and more