Thursday 23rd November

Thursday, 23 November 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The South Western Ambulance Service is asking people to use its services responsibly as it prepares for a challenging winter. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, which includes Yeovil Hospital, is contacting people after hospital records were inappropriately accessed. Chard Ladies Rugby team is taking on a new challenge, climbing to the top of the National Three Peaks for charity...and more.

The South Western Ambulance Service is asking people to use its services responsibly as it prepares for a challenging winter. South Western Ambulance says increased flu cases, colder temperatures, and higher numbers of 999 calls, will exacerbate the challenge this winter. People are being asked to only call 999 in life-threatening situations, and not call back unless things worsen or an ambulance is no longer needed. For non-life-threatening emergencies, they're asked to call 111, their GP or local pharmacies.

Police are advising people to be at home when parcels are delivered this Christmas, to avoid them being left outside the house. It follows figures showing that in the Avon and Somerset force area, police dealt with 489 thefts of parcels from outside properties between August 2022 and July this year. They say porch thefts are difficult crimes to solve, with the majority of cases going unsolved.

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is contacting up to 200 people after some of its hospital records were inappropriately accessed by a member of staff.

Somerset Council has been recognised as a leader for the way it has responded to the climate emergency. The Council has been given an A rating by the environmental charity, CDP, for its contribution to mitigating climate change. The A-rating was based on the council’s climate-related projects including expanding Somerset’s network of electric vehicle charging points and encouraging the uptake of ‘retrofit’ home heating systems

Members of the Chard Ladies Rugby team are taking on a new challenge – climbing to the top of the National Three Peaks. The team will attempt to scale Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon in just 24 hours next year, helping to raise funds for grassroots rugby.

All designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Somerset have officially been renamed 'National Landscapes' from this week. The team who manage the Mendip Hills - now categorized as a National Landscape – have welcomed the change of name. They say it's a better reflection of the area’s national importance.

More from News

Thursday 3rd April

Two-thirds of employers in Somerset say the hike in employers' National Insurance will mean cutting staff. Police are investigating incidents of repeated damage at Somerton recreation ground. A man has been arrested in Chard on suspicion of indecent exposure. The story of the Monmouth Rebellion is being told in a new exhibition...and more
Wednesday 2nd April

Leonardo Helicopters has won a £165 million repair and maintenance contract that will secure 200 jobs at the Yeovil factory. Police are searching for a thief who stole a safe containing £1500 in cash from a pub in Ilminster. Alzheimer's UK says the number of people with dementia in Somerset is massively under-recorded... and more.
Tuesday 1st April

Police are investigating the cause of a suspicious fire at the former Oscar Mayer site in Chard. Yeovil Town owner, Martin Hellier, has stepped down as club chairman. According to the website, Property Solvers, Martock has the slowest housing market in Somerset. A new Head Teacher has been appointed to run Sexeys School in Bruton...and more
Monday 31st March

Yeovil Town owner Martin Hellier has announced his intention to put the club up for sale. Somerset Chamber of Commerce says small businesses are bracing themselves for a challenging year. The Children's Hospice South West founder, Eddie Farwell, has died. Tintinhull Gardens near Yeovil have reopened for the new season...and more
Friday 28th March

First Bus has invested £12 million in buying 26 electric buses to run on routes in Somerset. Approval has been given to build 18 new homes in South Petherton. Somerset’s recycling sites, including Yeovil, will revert to their spring opening times next week. This year’s Somerset Drama Festival has been won by Ilminster Entertainments Society...and more.
Thursday 27th March

Yeovil MP Adam Dance has criticised the Chancellor for not reforming business rates in her Spring Statement. Fifteen schools in Somerset are to be equipped with new facilities for children with special educational needs. A charity in Yeovil is appealing for donations of new underwear to give to people who are homeless...and more
Wednesday 26th March

The remains of a Roman settlement have been discovered near Langport. Chard Town Council has issued a formal apology over some of its recent conduct. Visitors to Ham Hill Country Park are being asked to tread carefully and keep pets on leads to protect breeding skylarks nesting at ground-level...and more
Tuesday 25th March

A teenage boy has been arrested following an incident in Castle Cary. Somerset Council has announced “wide-ranging improvements” to bus services. Work has started upgrading a doctor’s surgery in Chard. The finalists have been announced for this year’s Somerset Business Awards...and more