Local News Friday 26th May

Friday, 26 May 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Council is looking to save ten million pounds a year in how it delivers Adult Social Care services. A parade's been held at RNAS Yeovilton to celebrate the latest group of pilots and crew completing their helicopter flight training. Cartons will no longer be accepted at Somerset’s recycling sites from next month. The annual Od Arts Festival held in the villages of East and West Coker opens to the public today...and more.

Somerset Council is looking to make big savings in how it delivers Adult Social Care. A review, to be considered at a meeting next week, has identified how up to ten million pounds a year could be cut from the annual spend of one-hundred- and-eighty-six million pounds on adult social care. One of the savings could see some adults with learning disabilities being moved out of residential homes and back into the community.

A parade has been held at RNAS Yeovilton to celebrate the latest group of helicopter pilots and crew completing their top-level flight training. After passing the training to fly the Merlin and Wildcat helicopters, they were presented with their wings and certificates.

Cartons will no longer be accepted at Somerset’s recycling sites from next month following the success of kerbside collections. Items such as liquid and juice cartons will stop being taken at all recycling sites from Monday, June 12th.

Work to upgrade public tennis courts in Crewkerne, Ilminster and Yeovil should be finished in time for Wimbledon Tennis Championships beginning July 3rd. The Lawn Tennis Association has provided funding to resurface and fit new nets at the public courts at Ilminster Recreational Ground, Yeovil Recreational Ground and Severalls Park in Crewkerne.

Some truly odd-looking art has gone on display in East and West Coker. It’s part of the annual Od Arts Festival held in the two villages, that opens today and runs to Sunday. The theme of this year's event is ‘Still and Still Moving’ - a line from the famous T S Elliot poem East Coker.

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Thursday 12th February

The government says it's ‘working flat out’ to arrive at a decision on ordering a new medium lift helicopter with Leonardo in Yeovil. We’re being asked to suggest where new electric vehicle charge points should be installed in Somerset. A new project is inviting people to look up and help map Somerset’s night skies... and more
Wednesday 11th February

Somerset Council has been told it can’t raise council tax by more than 5 percent. Businesses in Somerset are being warned to watch out for fake £20 notes. A Martock man has successfully completed a parachute-ski jump off the top of Mount Snowdon.
Tuesday 10th February

Eye operations in Somerset have been cancelled, due to a private company running out of NHS funding to provide the surgery. A local MP is calling for the permanent installation of pumps on the Somerset Levels to reduce the flood risk. A £3 million pound project has begun to refurbish the grand organ at Wells Cathedral... and more
Monday 9th February

Multiple flood alerts and warnings remain in place across South Somerset following the weekend’s heavy rainfall. Work starts today repairing a sinkhole on Station Road in Castle Cary. A business in Crewkerne is closing after 50-years trading in the town... and more
Friday 6th September

Leonardo has announced a major deal to build helicopters in India. Campaigners trying to set up a new bus link to Castle Cary railway station from Glastonbury say they need 150 thousand pounds of council money. A community event is being held in Chard for charities and service providers to showcase their activities.... and more
Thursday 5th February

The NHS in Somerset is the first in the country to trial an online self-referral service for breast cancer. The MET office has confirmed that January was the wettest in Somerset since 2014. The MET office has confirmed that January was the wettest in Somerset since 2014... and more
Wednesday 4th February

Somerset Council is asking the government for extra funds to pay for the damage caused by Storm Chandra. There’s been a setback to the campaign to reopen Chinnock Hollow. The Telegraph newspaper has named the Barrington Boar at Barrington in a list of the top 50 best pubs in the UK... and more
Tuesday 3rd February

Five flood warnings remain in place in Somerset covering the rivers Parrett, Yeo, Northmoor and Saltmoor. Somerset Council says it has no plans to demolish a derelict listed building near Chard Leisure Centre. A Yeovil farm shop has been honoured at a national awards ceremony... and more