Local News Friday 9th September

Friday, 9 September 2022 06:00

Senior figures in Somerset have been paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth following her death aged 96 yesterday. All schools in Somerset are expected to become academies by 2030 under a new government policy. Families in Somerset could benefit from a new epilepsy specialist nurse...and more.

Senior figures in Somerset have been paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth following her death aged 96 yesterday. Lord Lieutenant of Somerset Annie Maw said the country had lost one of the greatest people of our age. She had set an exemplary example of devoted service and against so many odds her message had always been one of peace, unity and partnership. The nation has lost someone without whom life would never be the same. On behalf of the people of Somerset, the Chairman of Somerset County Council, Councillor Mike Best, offered his deepest sympathies to the Royal Family. In Yeovil, a book of condolence has opened at St Johns Church.

All schools in Somerset are expected to become academies by 2030 under a new government policy. The Department for Education outlined its plans for Somerset’s remaining council-controlled schools to become academies within eight years in a white paper. At the moment, Somerset has 130 academies that are run as multi-academy trusts rather than by Somerset County Council. Families in Somerset could benefit from a new epilepsy specialist nurse, based at Yeovil Hospital. Emma Christie has been appointed to the role, which is funded by ‘Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity’.

Former Somerset cricketer James Hildreth is getting a stand named after him at the county ground in Taunton. He retired last month, after playing for the club since 2003. The River stand will be renamed the James Hildreth Stand in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the club.

South Somerset District Council has launched a public consultation into the provision of outdoor play and youth facilities across the district. The Council says it wants to better understand the supply and demand of facilities, including their quality and availability. You can take part in the questionnaire, which is open to October 18th, via the South Somerset District Council website.

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Monday 10th February

A dog, stolen in Norfolk seven years ago, has been found 200 miles away safe and well in Somerset. A man who lives in Seavington St Michael near Ilminster has been jailed after driving a car at police officers. One hundred new affordable homes could be built near Langport...and more
Friday 7th February

A Yeovil man has been fined £1,200 for sending hostile text messages to his ex-wife. A report into the performance of Avon and Somerset Police has found it doesn't answer emergency calls quickly enough. Twenty-two swimmers at the Trident Swimming Club in Chard have won places in this year’s Somerset County Swimming Championships...and more
Thursday 6th February

A man has appeared in court charged with murdering a one-month-old baby boy in Chard. Kingfisher Primary School in Yeovil has been highly praised by Ofsted. Somerset Council says it’s “extremely disappointed” after its bid to form a devolved Wessex group of local councils was rejected by the government...and more.
Wednesday 5th February

The Liberal Democrat Leader of Somerset Council, Councillor Bill Revans, says they had no choice but to ask the government to allow them to lift the 5 percent cap on raising Council Tax. Two teenagers have been released on bail following the stabbing in Yeovil. More than six thousand pounds has been awarded to local groups by Chard Carnival Committee...and more.
Tuesday 4th February

Somerset has been permitted to increase its Council Tax share by 7.5 percent. An Ilminster man, forced out of his house by last week's floods, says he doesn't know when he will be able to return home. Ilminster Literary Festival has launched its annual children’s writing competition, designed to encourage local children to write creative literature...and more.
Monday 3rd February

Five men have appeared in court charged with the murder of a man in Yeovil. A 16-year-old is the second person to be arrested in connection with a stabbing in Yeovil. Yeovil’s new outdoor entertainment space in Lower Middle Street has been officially opened by the town’s MP... and more.
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