The Head of Buses of Somerset has voiced his disappointment and frustration over a series of planned one-day strikes by bus workers. Yeovil Hospital is taking part in a study to try and reduce the number of babies being taken to hospital with a serious respiratory virus. Sixteen new safeguarding cases across the Bath and Wells Diocese have been highlighted as part of a national review into abuse within the Church of England. Ava and Alfie are officially the most popular baby names in South Somerset, according to the Office for National Statistics...and more.
Local News Friday 7th October
The Head of Buses of Somerset has voiced his disappointment and frustration over a series of planned one-day strikes by bus workers. Members of the RMT are due to walk out on Monday, October 10th, Friday, October 21st and again on the 4th the 11th of November in a dispute over pay. Simon Goff says passenger numbers are down 25 percent compared to before the pandemic and that for the sector to recover, everyone needs to work together to make sure people can go about their daily lives without disruption.
Yeovil Hospital is taking part in a study to try and reduce the number of babies being taken to hospital with a serious respiratory virus. RSV can cause severe lung problems and is the main reason babies end up in hospital. Consultant Pediatrician.
Sixteen new safeguarding cases across the Bath and Wells Diocese have been highlighted as part of a national review into abuse within the Church of England. However, none of the new cases have led to any further action. Some cases were anonymous with no evidence and others were related to processes that had been addressed.
Ava and Alfie are officially the most popular baby names in South Somerset, according to the Office for National Statistics. New data shows that fifteen newborn girls were given the name Ava in South Somerset last year with nineteen baby boys called Alfie. Nationally, Olivia remained the top pick for baby girls for the sixth year in a row and Noah for a boy.
Chard Carnival is on tomorrow with a crowd in excess of 10,000 expected to watch the illuminated procession pass through the town. It will mark a return to how the Carnival looked pre-pandemic with more than sixty floats taking part. The parade gets underway at 7.30 pm.
A new campaign has been launched to persuade people in Somerset to stop smoking. Four people have been arrested in Chard in connection with the supply of Class A drugs. A dog from Yeovil has won the title of ‘best in breed’ at Cruffs....and more.
A charity in Somerset is appealing for support after one of its sites was vandalised. The Leader of Somerset Council has been to Westminster to put the case for central government to provide councils with more money. A new primary school is to built in Chard.... and more
The union representing workers at Somerset Council is warning of further job cuts at the council next year. Secondary school pupils in Somerset are being offered help to withstand peer pressure to vape or smoke. The bells of St George's Church in Hinton St George have been fully restored after becoming difficult to ring ... and more
A property in Raglan Terrace in Yeovil has been closed down by a court order after it was linked to anti-social behaviour. NHS Somerset says investing in nurse apprenticeships has helped to boost recruitment. A new community garden has opened in Chard.... and more
The Leader of Somerset Council has repeated his call for a reform of the way that councils are funded. Crimestoppers is stepping up efforts to help tackle violent crime in Somerset. A new radar satellite is playing a crucial role in collecting data about flooding in Somerset...and more
Somerset Council has approved a seven-and-a-half percent increase in council tax. People are being asked to return boxes of paracetamol bought from Boots Chemists in Somerset. It’s been revealed that five members of staff at Somerset Council are being allowed to work from home outside the UK...and more
Somerset Council has been told that hundreds of millions of pounds in loans taken out by former district councils, including South Somerset, have to be paid back. A Somerset charity says it needs more volunteers to help with research into new treatments for dementia. A local shop owner has welcomed Somerset Council’s decision to scrap plans to charge for parking after 6 pm...and more.
The population of Somerset has reached record levels with nearly one in ten born outside the UK. Stanchester School in Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been rated as ‘requiring improvement’. Experts have been called in to appraise a 15th-century piece of artwork in Sherborne...and more.