Local News Tuesday 9th August

    New figures have shown that bus passenger numbers in Somerset are thirty percent below what they were before the pandemic. New research has shown that it has become almost impossible to register as a new patient with an NHS dentist in Somerset. A Somerset man has been explaining why he’s decided to return to Ukraine. A fully accessible forest school has been launched near Langport and more.

    New figures have shown that bus passenger numbers in Somerset are thirty percent below what they were before the pandemic and that travel by bus pass holders is at its lowest level ever. Now, Somerset County Council and the Somerset Bus Partnership have joined forces on a campaign called Bus It that’s aimed at persuading people not to use a car but to travel by bus instead.

    New research has shown that it has become almost impossible to register as a new patient with an NHS dentist in Somerset. It found that nine out of ten practices in the County are unable to take on new NHS patients. The government says its provided £50 million pounds to better support dentists. Ian Mills, spokesperson for The British Dental Association in Somerset says the situation remains difficult.

    People in Yeovil are being encouraged to get vaccinated against Covid-19. Pharmacy2U which runs the Yeovil vaccination clinic in King George Street is offering people of all ages a first, second, or booster jab. Parents and guardians are asked to attend with children aged under 15.

    A Somerset man has been explaining why he’s decided to return to Ukraine. Steve Brooks went to Ukraine at the start of the war to provide first aid training on the front line. He returned home after a couple of months away but has now gone back to southern Ukraine. He says the situation in Ukraine is worsening by the day and that he plans to stay for quite a while.

    A fully accessible forest school has been launched near Langport. The Graceful Badger Forest School gives children the opportunity to sample the natural arts and use the woods for play activities.

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    • Wednesday 17 April

      Three local primary schools have been named on a list of England's top five hundred primary schools. A new co-working space for businesswomen has opened in Wincanton. Urgent repairs are being carried out to Ilminster's new public clock after it started showing the wrong time...and more

    • Tuesday 16th April

      A new operator has been found to run a Chard care home that has been at risk of closure. A licence has been granted to run a new music festival in West Dorset. People have until midnight tonight to register for a vote in the election for a Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset...and more.

    • Monday 15th April

      Four people have been arrested as part of an investigation into the illegal supply of prescription-only drugs in Yeovil. A Yeovil man has appeared in court in connection with two burglaries in Langport. A well-known farm and restaurant business in South Petherton has been put up for sale. New figures have shown a further decline in the number of House Sparrows in Somerset...and more.

    • Friday 12th April

      Yeovil Town will play National League football next season after beating Truro 2-0 last night to win promotion and the National League South title. Somerset Council says the cost of keeping Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre closed has risen to £140,000 a year. A holiday website has reported a 31 percent upturn in visitor numbers to Somerset...and more.

    • Thursday 11th April

      Yeovil Town get another chance tonight to clinch promotion when they play away against Truro. Citizens Advice in Somerset says people are continuing to struggle with the cost of living. Some of England’s loudest voices will be heard in Yeovil later this month when the town's annual town crier competition takes place...and more,

    • Wednesday 10th April

      A former sub-postmaster from Wincanton says she's having to work a 70-hour week to pay off debts she incurred due to the Post Office IT scandal. Two people have been fined for illegal fishing in Yeovil. Images of wildlife taken by a photographer in Somerton have been chosen to feature on a new set of charity cards...and more.

    • Tuesday 9th April

      Lloyds Bank is being asked to reconsider closing its branch in Ilminster, leaving the town without a bank. A stretch of the A303 will close later this month as part of dualling the road between Sparkford and Podimore. A dragon parade is to be held in Chard later this month to mark St George’s Day...and more.

    • Monday 8 April

      Plans have been approved to upgrade Chard Police Station at a cost of £900,000. Plans to build four new homes in Wincanton have been turned down due to a lack of parking spaces. A Yeovil woman has raised more than eighteen hundred pounds for the mental health charity Mind, ahead of running this year's London Marathon...and more.

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Light rain shower

      High: 12°C | Low: 1°C

    • Chard

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    • Crewkerne

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      High: 11°C | Low: 1°C

    • Somerton

      Heavy rain shower

      High: 12°C | Low: 1°C

    • Wincanton

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      High: 12°C | Low: 1°C

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