Local News Tuesday 27th June

Tuesday, 27 June 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A former Somerset-based Royal Marine is calling for better mental health support for ex-military personnel. A new website has been launched designed to get farmers to share their experiences through tough times. A disabled Ilminster woman is preparing to take part in a charity fundraising climb of the tallest mountain in Wales...and more.

A former Somerset-based Royal Marine is calling for better mental health support for ex-military personnel. Mark Ormrod was speaking about the years that have passed since he lost three of his limbs in a landmine explosion serving in Afghanistan aged twenty-four. He’s hoping that by speaking out, more help will be provided to service personnel and to others who live with mental health issues.

A new website has been launched designed to get farmers to share their experiences through tough times. Rupert Cox is the co-ordinator of the website ‘Farmerados’ and says it’s much needed.

An event’s been held to mark the first year of operations at iAero in Yeovil. The building in Bunford Lane is a ten-million-pound purpose-built research, design and innovation facility, supporting the aerospace sector in the South West. It opened in early 2022 and was delivered by Somerset Council in partnership with Leonardo UK and the Heart of the South West.

Somerset Council is celebrating winning an award for its partnership work delivering children’s homes. The Council and its partners – Homes2Inspire and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust – were presented with the ‘Innovation in Partnerships’ prize for their Homes and Horizons project at the Municipal Journal Awards held in London. It was given for delivering ten family-sized homes for children, together with launching a new therapeutic education service, aimed at increasing young people’s life chances through improved mental health and wellbeing.

A disabled Ilminster woman is preparing to take part in a charity fundraising climb of the tallest mountain in Wales. Tina, who suffered a life-changing back injury in a riding accident, will be pushed, pulled, and carried in her wheelchair up and down the 1,085-meter-high Yr Wyddfa mountain this Saturday, July 1st, raising money for the spinal cord injury charity, 'Back Up'.

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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
Wednesday 15th October

The maternity unit at Yeovil Hospital is to reopen within the next six months. There’s been a further delay to reopening Yeovil’s Octagon theatre. No CrossCountry trains will run through Somerset this weekend due to planned industrial action by the RMT union...and more.