Local News Tuesday 28th September

Tuesday, 28 September 2021 06:00

Covid booster jabs have started to be given to people in eligible groups in South Somerset. Plans have been published to transform the grass surface of the Leonardo airfield in Yeovil into a "hard surface". Pig farmers are warning that a shortage of workers is causing a surplus of animals in Somerset. Plans have been approved to introduce new visitor facilities at Sutton Bingham reservoir, on the outskirts of Yeovil...and more.

Covid booster jabs have started to be given to people in eligible groups in South Somerset. Those vaccinated twice more than six months ago in eligible groups will have received letters offering a booster. Vaccinations are being delivered through existing centres, including pharmacies and GP practices.

Plans have been published to transform the grass surface of the Leonardo airfield in Yeovil into a "hard surface". The airfield is the longest grass runway in the UK at 1,386 metres. It would be laid to tarmac under the scheme. South Somerset District Council is due to make a decision on the application before the end of the year.

Farmers in Somerset will be allowed to spread slurry this autumn but changes by the Environment Agency mean it could be further regulated next year. The Agency is worried about rivers becoming polluted after rainfall causing run-off. Farmers say they wouldn't spread slurry if poor weather is forecast. Chairman of the NFU in Somerset Tom Kimber says tightening the regulations will mean farmers having to build new slurry lagoons for which they will need financial help.

Pig farmers are warning that a shortage of workers is causing a surplus of animals in Somerset. The Industry is warning of a looming crisis that could lead to animals having to be culled on local farms.

Plans have been approved to introduce new visitor facilities at Sutton Bingham reservoir, on the outskirts of Yeovil. A new entrance gate will be installed, new cycling racks provided and improvements made to the car park on Sutton Hill at the north-western corner of the reservoir, a short distance from All Saints Church.

An Ilminster woman has held an event to raise funds for Brain Tumour research. Katie Wilkinson, who has an incurable brain tumour, organised a "walk of hope" in the town at the weekend with around 60 local people taking part.

A new food and craft event is set to start next month in Ilminster. The market with more than twenty stalls at Donyatt Village Hall will showcase small local businesses. The launch event will be held on Saturday, October 16th, starting at 9 am.

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