Local News Monday 24th July

Monday, 24 July 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A new call has been made to improve farm safety in Somerset. Plans have been submitted to build fifty-two new houses in the village of Henstridge. A team of doctors in Somerset has been awarded three hundred thousand pounds. Roger McGough, the brother of Paul McCartney, is one of the headline speakers at this year's Yeovil Literary Festival...and more.

A new call has been made to improve farm safety in Somerset. It comes from the Farm Safety Foundation and follows new data showing that twenty-seven people died in farm accidents across the UK last year, including children and visitors.

Plans have been submitted to build fifty-two new houses in the village of Henstridge. Developers, Macra Ltd, want to use land behind Townsend Farm off the A30 for the scheme. Somerset Council is expected to make a decision on the application before the end of the year.

Police are investigating the theft of chainsaws and hedge trimmers from a property in Holwell near Sherborne. The break-in happened in the early hours of last Friday, July twenty-first, at a workshop in Holwell Drove. Five chainsaws, three hedge trimmers, a cordless sander, and other small tools were taken. Anyone with information that would help the Police is asked to call the non-emergency number 101.

Rail travellers wanting to object to the planned closure of ticket offices at stations in Somerset have until Wednesday this week to submit their comments. GWR says four out of five rail tickets are now bought online or by using a ticket machine.

A team of doctors in Somerset has been awarded three hundred thousand pounds to improve cervical cancer screenings among women who've recently given birth. Currently, mothers have to wait twelve weeks to be tested but the new study aims to reduce the wait time to six weeks and make it part of post-natal care.

The names of some of the speakers who will be appearing at this year’s Yeovil Literary Festival have been announced. In the line-up will be Deborah Meaden, Sarah Beeny, Chris Packham and Roger McGough, the brother of Paul McCartney. Yeovil Literary Festival takes place during the last week of October.

Drivers are being reminded that the A30 through West Coker is closed for re-surfacing. Access to local businesses is still being provided with the road not due to re-open until the end of August.

More from News

Wednesday 14th January

The union representing workers at Leonardo in Yeovil says it needs a clear answer from the government on whether the Yeovil factory will be awarded a contract to build new medium-lift helicopters for the RAF. Somerset Council says more support will be provided to foster carers. A bird flu surveillance zone remains in place over the Somerset Levels...and more
Tuesday 13th January

The Government says it won’t bring forward a decision on buying new helicopters from Leonardo in Yeovil. A bird flu surveillance zone remains in place over the Somerset Levels. Yeovil’s temporary police station on Horsey Lane is to close at the end of the month....and more
Monday 12th January

Leonardo is threatening to shut its Yeovil factory. Somerset Community Foundation says there's still time to donate money to its Surviving Winter Appeal. The Swan Theatre in Yeovil is staging a number of special performances to mark its 50th anniversary...and more.
Friday 9th January

A Yeovil man has been arrested and then de-arrested after a collision in Dorset. A Somerset food manufacturer could be expanding its Wincanton base. A new dementia-friendly choir has been launched in Yeovil...and more.
Thursday 8th January

Adam Dance MP is welcoming developments in his campaign to support neurodivergent schoolchildren. Somerset was the star of the small screen last night, thanks to BBC comedy ‘Can You Keep A Secret’. A Yeovil gymnastics club has hosted a VIP guest...and more.
Wednesday 7th January

Somerset's Lib Dem MPs have described a one per cent rise in Council funding as 'profoundly disappointing'. A new independent cinema will open next month in Wincanton. We’re facing the chance of heavy snow with Storm Goretti hitting the region on Thursday...and more.
Tuesday 6th January

The Poundland chain has confirmed its store closures, including one of the Yeovil branches next Friday. Yeovil's Marlie Packer has been awarded an OBE for her outstanding contribution to rugby. Nearly one hundred new low-cost homes could be coming to South Chard...and more.
Monday 5th January

A woman has been cut free from her car after a four-vehicle collision in Montacute. Devon and Somerset fire crews have been praised for their bravery, following the summer wildfires. More new homes are set to be built in Martock, following approval from Somerset Council...and more.