Local News Wednesday 12th April

Wednesday, 12 April 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Businesses in Yeovil say they're worried for their futures as road works lasting thirty-six weeks start in the town centre. Staff at Yeovil Hospital are objecting to paying more to park at work. A new High Sheriff for Somerset has been appointed. The Bishop of Bath and Wells is to play a key role in the coronation of King Charles...and more.

Businesses in Yeovil say they're worried for their futures as road works lasting thirty-six weeks have started in the town centre this week. The High Street, Hendford and the Borough will stay shut until December for new pavement slabs to be laid as part of the Yeovil Refresh Project. Leader of Yeovil Town Council, Councillor Graham Oakes says people are fed up with the constant closing of roads in the town.

Staff at Yeovil Hospital are objecting to paying more to park at work. Currently, staff who park on-site pay 42.43 a month but from May 1st they will be charged £48.12. A nurse, who chose not to give her name, says at a time when healthcare workers are striking for better pay the higher charges are demoralising. Yeovil Hospital says because the cost to them of providing on-site parking has increased, the prices they charge must also rise to pay for it.

A new High Sheriff for Somerset has been appointed. He’s Robert Drewe who is a practising solicitor. The role of High Sheriff, a position that dates back more than a thousand years, is non-political with the incumbent acting as the King’s representative in Somerset in all things related to the legal system.

Health officials are asking the public to think carefully before using the A and E department at Yeovil Hospital as the strike by Junior Doctors bites harder. Junior Doctors belonging to the British Medical Association are demanding a thirty-five per cent pay rise and have stopped work until Saturday.

The Bishop of Bath and Wells is to play a key role in the coronation of King Charles at Westminster Abbey on May 6th. The Right Reverend Michael Beasley says he’s deeply honoured to be supporting His Majesty and the Queen Consort at the service which he says will be a truly historic moment.

More from News

Monday 10th February

A dog, stolen in Norfolk seven years ago, has been found 200 miles away safe and well in Somerset. A man who lives in Seavington St Michael near Ilminster has been jailed after driving a car at police officers. One hundred new affordable homes could be built near Langport...and more
Friday 7th February

A Yeovil man has been fined £1,200 for sending hostile text messages to his ex-wife. A report into the performance of Avon and Somerset Police has found it doesn't answer emergency calls quickly enough. Twenty-two swimmers at the Trident Swimming Club in Chard have won places in this year’s Somerset County Swimming Championships...and more
Thursday 6th February

A man has appeared in court charged with murdering a one-month-old baby boy in Chard. Kingfisher Primary School in Yeovil has been highly praised by Ofsted. Somerset Council says it’s “extremely disappointed” after its bid to form a devolved Wessex group of local councils was rejected by the government...and more.
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