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 9th July

Demolition work at Yeovil’s Glovers Walk has been held up after two colonies of bees were discovered. Refurbishment of the town’s Dunelm store is underway. A teenager from Crewkerne has represented his country, winning a gold medal in a national boxing competition... and more.
Tuesday 8th July

Adam Dance, MP has challenged the Government over a "failure to tackle rising levels of child poverty" in South Somerset. A man in Chard has been evicted from a property in the town. Temporary changes are being put in place at Yeovil Bus Station and more....
Monday 8th July

Avon & Somerset Police are appealing for witnesses after a collision between a car and a house in Stapleton. A Yeovil man has run 31 miles from Ham Hill to Lyme Regis for Yeovil's 'The Hub'. A family feast is coming Chard as part of the Somerset Food Trail Festival and more....
Friday 4th July

Charity shops in Somerset report that they have received donations of dirty clothing and even soiled nappies. Plans have been submitted to build a further fifty new homes in Crewkerne. The National Audit Office says extra government funding to improve bus services, including in Somerset, has failed to deliver an increase in passenger numbers...and more
Thursday 3rd July

Dorset County Hospital is preparing to handle an increased number of births from now until the end of the year, following the closure of Yeovil Hospital's Maternity Unit. A number of former and current serving military personnel are pursuing the Ministry of Defence for compensation. Vandals have damaged a wooden shelter at the recreation ground in Ilminster...and more
Wednesday 2nd July

Business owners in Chard say ongoing roadworks in Fore Street are hurting their trade. A vehicle has been destroyed in a fire at a farm at Charlton Mackrell. A new recycling scheme has been launched to support Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. Castle Carey has created a Scarecrow Festival...and more
Tuesday 1st July

A murder trial starts today of the parents of a baby boy who died in Yeovil Hospital. Somerset residents are being asked to keep an eye on elderly neighbours, with temperatures expected to reach the high 20s again today. A tiny black kitten has been found inside a crate of laundry delivered to a cleaning business in Yeovil...and more
Monday 30th June

The Care Quality Commission has published its report into the running of the maternity unit at Yeovil Hospital. A public consultation has been launched into plans to build 150 new homes at Horton near Ilminster. A Chard man has embarked on walking 75 miles across Somerset, raising money for the Devon Air Ambulance...and more