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.

More from News

Monday 2nd February

The Met Office has issued a warning of more heavy rain for Somerset. A survey by Somerset Council shows nearly two-thirds of households would be happy to pay more in council tax. Yeovil Town Council is offering free allotment spaces to support people’s wellbeing... and more
Friday 30th January

Data from the weather centre at RNAS Yeovilton shows rainfall in Somerset was almost double the average for January. A disabled man is taking Somerset Council to the High Court, claiming its council tax reduction scheme is discriminatory. Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard is seeking urgent support to replenish its stocks of hay... and more
Thursday 29th January

Somerset Council has warned that more homes are likely to flood with further heavy rain forecast to end the week. Discount retailer, The Original Factory Shop, which has an outlet in Crewkerne, has gone into administration. A Barista at Costa Coffee in Ilminster has won a place in the finals of a national competition...and more
Wednesday 28th January

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has announced plans to develop a new operational base on the Leonardo airfield in Yeovil. Several people have been rescued from their homes in Ilminster due to flooding. An £800,000 project is underway to restore two staircases at Montecute House...and more
Tuesday 27th January

Last week was the wettest seven-day period in Somerset for twelve years. NHS Somerset says it’s working towards making access to dental care fairer for all. A scout leader in Somerset has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to Young People...and more
Monday 26th January

A new group has been formed to challenge plans to build 100 new homes in Keinton Mandeville. Bridgwater Town Council has voted to increase its share of the Council Tax by 5%. Organisers of Yeovil in Bloom are appealing for young people to get involved in this year’s competition...and more
Friday 23rd January

New data shows that South Western Ambulance is one of the worst-performing ambulance trusts in England. Plans to introduce improved accessibility at Yeovil Junction station have moved a step closer. A community centre in Street is providing vulnerable people with a warm, safe place to meet...and more.
Thursday 22nd January

A new NHS diagnostic centre has opened in Yeovil. The go-ahead has been given to build a replacement school for Milford Junior School in Yeovil. A new 500-bed hotel-style campus is being planned to accommodate workers at the new Agratas car battery factory near Bridgwater...and more