Local News Tuesday 1st February

Tuesday, 1 February 2022 06:00

People aged sixteen and over in South Somerset, who are severely immunosuppressed, can book to have a booster Covid jab online from today. Incidents of illegal fly-tipping rose significantly across South Somerset last year, according to new data. People in South Somerset with Type two diabetes could be offered a soup-and-shake diet on the NHS. Organisers of the Ilminster Tree Project say they’ve planted more than 2,000 trees as part of efforts to plant 7,000 trees, representing one tree for every resident of the town...and more.

People aged sixteen and over in South Somerset, who are severely immunosuppressed, can book to have a booster Covid jab online from today. The group includes people having treatment for conditions such as cancer or those with long-term chronic conditions where their condition puts them at greater risk if they were to contract Covid. Meanwhile, Covid rules in local care homes have been eased. Restrictions on visitor numbers have been lifted, together with the isolation periods for staff who test positive with Covid, cut to 14 days.

Incidents of illegal fly-tipping rose significantly across South Somerset last year, according to new data. Figures from DEFRA, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, show 797 incidents of fly-tipping were reported in South Somerset in 2021, compared to 561 in 2020.

People in South Somerset with Type two diabetes could be offered a soup-and-shake diet on the NHS. A pilot study found that it helped obese people lose more than two stones in three months. People who are put on the diet will get the soups and shakes for free and get support from clinicians. After three months, they'll be given a programme to reintroduce nutritious food to their diet.

Organisers of the Ilminster Tree Project say they’ve planted more than 2,000 trees as part of efforts to plant 7,000 trees, representing one tree for every resident of the town. A social event is being held at The Dolphin Inn in Ilminster tonight for those involved in the project and for anyone who would like to join as a volunteer.

Yeovil Town are back in action tonight, they take on Weymouth in a National League fixture at Huish Park, the kick-off is at 7:45 pm.

More from News

Friday 13th March

The first of the new medium lift helicopters being built by Leonardo in Yeovil for the RAF will be delivered in 2031. Somerset Council has launched a public consultation on planned new charges at its two hundred public car parks. More women in Somerset are said to be taking up walking football... and more
Thursday 12th March

A Yeovil headteacher says he’s concerned about plans to stop giving school holiday food vouchers to families on low incomes. The owner of Yeovil Town is calling on fans to be patient as he continues his overhaul of the National League side. A high voltage fault is being blamed for plunging 1700 homes into darkness in the Ilminster area... and more
Wednesday 11th March

Plans have been submitted to convert two properties in Yeovil into houses of multiple occupation. A new court date has been announced for a Yeovil man charged with attempted murder. An engineer who has worked at the Leonardo factory in Yeovil for 40-years has won a top industry award... and more
Tuesday 10th March

Police say a fire at the former Oscar Mayer food factory in Chard was started deliberately. Yeovil College says it would have been adversely affected had Leonardo not won the contract to build new medium-lift helicopters. A seven-foot dragon will be visiting towns and villages in our area during the next few weeks to promote Somerset Day... and more
Monday 9th March

Two Wildcat helicopters from 815 Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton have arrived in Cyprus to help protect RAF Akrotiri from further Iranian drone strikes. New figures show that 40 people were killed on Avon and Somerset’s roads in the last 12-months. A Somerset man has been recalling the day 60-years ago when he was a passenger on the last train on the Somerset and Dorset Railway... and more
Friday 6th March

Defence Minister Luke Pollard has been explaining why it took the government so long to confirm a contract for the Leonardo in Yeovil to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. Police are investigating a break in at a pet shop in Ilminster. Somerset Council is to stop using red ink on council tax reminder letters... and more
Thursday 5th March

Two military helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton are being sent to Cyprus to help bolster UK’s defences amid the US-Israel war with Iran. Yeovil Town Council is seeking legal advice over the closure of the hyper acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. Flood warnings have been lifted on the Somerset Levels... and more
Wednesday 4th March

A man has died in a fire in Wincanton. Somerset Council is planning further cuts of twenty-one million pounds to help balance its books. A campaign to raise £30,000 for a minibus has been launched in Chard... and more