Local News Wednesday 7th December

Wednesday, 7 December 2022 06:00

Yeovil Hospital is spearheading an initiative to stop anesthetic gases from polluting the atmosphere. Somerset Community Foundation has raised half-a-million pounds to help charities support individuals and communities affected by the cost-of-living crisis. There’s been a big rise in the number of older people living alone in Somerset. People with mental health issues are helping with a project in Merriot to restore an old boat...and more.

Yeovil Hospital is spearheading an initiative to stop anesthetic gases from polluting the atmosphere. Pipes that pump the gases around the hospital have been turned-off and newer, safer, greener alternative gas types are being used.

Somerset Community Foundation has raised half-a-million pounds to help charities support individuals and communities affected by the cost-of-living crisis. SCF has raised the money in just four months and is giving out amounts of between £1,000 and £10,000 to help people and communities in the greatest need.

There’s been a big rise in the number of older people living alone in Somerset. Data from the 2021 Census shows 38,800 people aged 66 and over are living alone in the County, compared to 33,500 in 2011. Somerset West and Taunton has the highest proportion of elderly people living alone, with 11,499 elderly single-person households recorded.

People with mental health issues are helping with a project in Merriot to restore an old boat. They're taking part in a 12-week course at Ark at Egwood near Merriot to turn the boat into a space for therapy and relaxation.

A top award has been given to the Visitor Information Centre at Cartgate services area on the A303 just outside Yeovil. At the Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards, the Cartgate information centre was presented with the ‘Visitor Information Service of the Year Award’. In the Restaurant of the Year category, the Clockspire in Milborne Port won Silver, and in the Pub and Casual Dining section, the Queen’s Arms at Corton Denham won Bronze.

A road in West Crewkerne is partially closed for re-surfacing today. The work in Hewish Lane is due to be completed by 5 pm.

More from News

Friday 31st January

A teenager has been arrested following a stabbing in Yeovil. Water bills in Somerset are set to go up on average by £123 from April. Yeovil MP, Adam Dance will officially open Yeovil’s new outdoor performance space later today...and more
Thursday 30th January

Lloyds bank is closing its branch in Chard. A Sherborne man has been jailed after defrauding a Yeovil woman of £40,000. A volunteer group in Chard is urging people to sign up to a flood victims register. A councillor in Shepton Mallet has become the first Reform UK member on Somerset Council... and more
Wednesday 29th January

New mums in Somerset could soon be offered a cervical screening test six weeks after giving birth. Police are asking for help in finding a Yeovil man wanted on recall to prison. The government has given half a million pounds towards planting more trees in Somerset, including 100 new trees in Yeovil...and more
Tuesday 28th January

Work continues to clean up from the floods in Chard, Ilminster, Somerton, South Petherton, and parts of Yeovil. A man who threatened to kill a support worker at the mental health unit in Yeovil has been sentenced to a community order. A competition that gives new musicians the chance to play at this year's Glastonbury festival has opened for entries...and more
Monday 27th January

A major incident has been declared by Somerset Council to ensure a multi-agency response to the flash flooding that's affected Chard, Crewkerne, Ilminster, South Petherton and parts of Yeovil. Police believe a 4x4 pick-up truck, found submerged in the River Yeo at Yeovilton at the weekend, may have been stolen. An appeal to raise £2 million to restore the Grand Organ at Wells Cathedral has raised over £1 million in less than 18 months...and more
News Friday 24th January

Plans have been submitted to build a David Lloyd Health and Fitness Club in Yeovil. Carers in Somerset say spending cuts to mental health support services will be hugely damaging. People with memories of Somerset women's cricket side are being asked to take part in a project to preserve its history. Two of our local restaurants have been listed in the top 100 restaurants in the UK...and more
Thursday 23rd January

Yeovil Town Council has defended its decision to increase its share of the Council Tax by an average of £80. A man who drove an e-scooter in Yeovil while disqualified from driving has been jailed for six weeks. According to new data, the Yeovil driving test centre is the 12th easiest in the UK to pass a driving test...and more
Wednesday 22nd January

Somerset Council is to pay for fifty-bed spaces in nursing homes so that patients can be discharged from hospital quicker. Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, is calling for improved disabled access at Pen Mill and Yeovil Junction railway stations. Crewkerne could soon get a new farm shop...and more.