Local News Thursday 2nd March

Thursday, 2 March 2023 06:00

Several schools across Somerset are either fully or partially closed today due to strike action by teachers. The main A30 road between Chard and Crewkerne has reopened to traffic two weeks earlier than planned. People in Chard are being asked for their views about the town in a new consultation. The Manager of Yeovil Town says what the club needs under its new owners is stability...and more.

Several schools across Somerset are either fully or partially closed today It’s due to strike action by teachers belonging to the National Education Union in their row over pay and school funding. In our area the following schools are affected:
Buckler's Mead Academy
Stanchester Academy
Reckleford Infant School and Nursery
Ilchester Community School
Huish Episcopi Academy
Fiveways Special School
Fairmead School
Charlton Mackrell C of E Primary School
Birchfield Primary school
Ashlands C of E First School in Crewkerne

Almost all children in Somerset starting at secondary schools in September will be attending a school of their choice. According to Somerset County Council, 4,439 11-year-olds have been given places at their chosen schools. Parents who applied for places for children starting primary school or, moving from infant to junior or first to middle school, will find out the school places they’ve been offered in April

The main A30 between Chard and Crewkerne has reopened to traffic 2-weeks earlier than planned. The road between the junction of Liddon Hill and St Rayn Hill was due to stay shut up until the middle of March for new drainage pipes to be installed. But Somerset County Council says their contractors have completed the work ahead of schedule and that road is fully open.

People in Chard are being asked for their views about the town in a new consultation. It’s being held to establish what local people consider to be important about the town and how they want to see it developed. The survey’s available on the South Somerset District Council website.

Yeovil Town fans have been reacting to the news that the Club has a new major shareholder. In a statement, the new owners, SU Glovers say they’ve taken on the "stewardship" of Yeovil Town and stop short of calling it a takeover. SU Glovers is understood to be a consortium that includes the businessman Matthew Uggla and former England rugby player Paul Sackey. The Manager of Yeovil Town, Mark Cooper, says the club needs stability under its new owners.

More from News

Thursday 13th March

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.
Wednesday 12th March

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
Tuesday 11th March

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
Monday 10th March

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
Friday 7th March

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
Thursday 6th March

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
Wednesday 5th March

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.
Tuesday 4th March

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.