Local News Wednesday 11th May

Wednesday, 11 May 2022 06:00

Today is Somerset Day. It’s the day in the year when we’re encouraged to ‘Fly the Somerset Flag, celebrate the County’s great heritage, and explore the beauty of the Somerset landscape. A surge in passport applications is threatening the holiday plans of families across Somerset, according to local a travel agent. The government has given a further one million pounds to support the opening of ten new children’s homes in Somerset. Local animal charities say they've seen a big rise in the number of people bringing in cats, dogs and rabbits, in particular...and more.

A surge in passport applications is threatening the holiday plans of families across Somerset, according to local travel agent, Miles Morgan. He says a record number of renewal applications made nationally has led to long delays in processing applications at the passport office.

The government has given a further 1-million pounds to support the opening of ten new children’s homes in Somerset. The homes, which are designed to allow children with complex needs to be supported without sending them miles away from their families, are due to open by 2026. The locations for the new homes have yet to be announced.

Local animal charities say they've seen a big rise in the number of people bringing in cats, dogs and rabbits, in particular. It's thought the issue’s been made worse by the cost of living and the price of pet ownership rising dramatically.

The line-up’s been announced for this year’s Shindig Festival which takes place on the Dillington Estate near Ilminster later this month. Amongst those appearing are New York’s Grammy-winning hip-hop trio De La Soul and the prophet of acid jazz, Roy Ayers. Shindig Festival is on from Thursday the 26th to Sunday the 29th of May at Dillington.

Children at local schools in Wincanton have planted twelve oak saplings in support of the Queen’s Green Canopy, marking her Platinum Jubilee. Pupils from King Arthur's, Wincanton Primary and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Primary schools, planted the trees in Wrixon’s View with the help of members and staff of Wincanton Town Council, the Women's Institute and One Planet Wincanton.

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Wednesday 5th November

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Tuesday 4th November

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service says from today it will no longer respond to automatic fire alarms. School in a Bag, based in Chilthorne Domer, is sending 400 school bags to Jamaica, following Hurricane Melissa. Yeovil Town has paid tribute to former manager Colin Addison, who has passed away...and more.
Monday 3rd November

Plans have been approved to convert Old Viney Bridge Mill in Crewkerne to residential use. The go-ahead has been given to decommission Hinkley Point B nuclear power plant in Somerset. We’re being asked to provide food for hedgehogs that come into our gardens this winter...and more.
Friday 31st October

There's anger in Chard about a road diversion in place alongside two sets of roadworks through the town. A motorcyclist has been injured in an accident in Bruton. £100,000 has been donated towards re-opening Shepton Mallet’s Amulet theatre...and more
Thursday 30th October

Bird flu has been detected at a nature reserve in Somerset, resulting in the closure of part of it. St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset is calling for the hospice sector to be given more central funding. The Barrington Boar in Barrington has been placed 12th in The Good Food Guide’s list of 100 best pubs in Britain...and more
Wednesday 29th October

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.
Tuesday 28th October

Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more