Local News Monday 26th July

Monday, 26 July 2021 06:00

Somerset's Director of Public Health, Trudi Grant, says the rules allowing NHS and social care staff to go to work after being told to self-isolate should only be used in "absolute emergency situations”. With the start of the summer holidays upon us, drivers are being reminded to check their vehicles before heading out on long journeys. Plans have been submitted to build five new houses in South Petherton...and more.

Somerset's Director of Public Health, Trudi Grant, says the rules allowing NHS and social care staff to go to work after being told to self-isolate should only be used in "absolute emergency situations”. She says employers need to consider that the virus could be spread by allowing employees, who have been told to self-isolate, back into the workplace.

With the start of the summer holidays upon us, drivers are being reminded to check their vehicles before heading out on long journeys. Highways England says 1 in 5 breakdowns on main routes like the A303 through South Somerset is caused by drivers not checking tyre pressures before setting off.

Somerset-based 40 Commando Royal Marines have been testing unmanned drone technology as a way of getting ammunition and medical supplies to the front line. The exercise, aimed at helping the Marines operate more efficiently, comes ahead of further testing by NATO of unmanned drones in America later this year.

Plans have been submitted to build five new houses in South Petherton. If approved by South Somerset District Council, they would be on land at The Old Fruit Farm in New Cross.

Demand for Somerset’s mental health services has risen by a third since the start of the pandemic. Somerset NHS says the majority of new cases are not connected to lockdown but young people anxious and depressed depression about their weight and body image.

The death has been announced of former Westland’s Test Pilot, John Fay. John Fay was a pioneer of rotorcraft flying in the 1950's and 60’s, he also played a pivotal role in the development of the Lynx helicopter. He died earlier this month, just a few weeks short of reaching his 100th birthday.

An arts group in Yeovil is asking people to decorate the front of their houses and gardens to celebrate the idea of ‘Home’. Yeovil Arts Space plans to create an artistic walking trail around the town and is asking people to be as creative with their designs.

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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
Wednesday 29th January

New mums in Somerset could soon be offered a cervical screening test six weeks after giving birth. Police are asking for help in finding a Yeovil man wanted on recall to prison. The government has given half a million pounds towards planting more trees in Somerset, including 100 new trees in Yeovil...and more
Tuesday 28th January

Work continues to clean up from the floods in Chard, Ilminster, Somerton, South Petherton, and parts of Yeovil. A man who threatened to kill a support worker at the mental health unit in Yeovil has been sentenced to a community order. A competition that gives new musicians the chance to play at this year's Glastonbury festival has opened for entries...and more
Monday 27th January

A major incident has been declared by Somerset Council to ensure a multi-agency response to the flash flooding that's affected Chard, Crewkerne, Ilminster, South Petherton and parts of Yeovil. Police believe a 4x4 pick-up truck, found submerged in the River Yeo at Yeovilton at the weekend, may have been stolen. An appeal to raise £2 million to restore the Grand Organ at Wells Cathedral has raised over £1 million in less than 18 months...and more