Local News Wednesday 14th April

Wednesday, 14 April 2021 07:30

Police are looking for witnesses to the dangerous driving incident in Yeovil. Yeovil Hospital says online medical appointments have risen dramatically during the lockdown with more and more patients choosing not to visit the hospital because of fears over Covid. A bank in Chard is set to close at the end of June. A nature charity is asking people in Somerset to count and record cowslips in their area...and more.

Police are looking for witnesses to the dangerous driving incident in Yeovil. It happened on Sunday at about 5.45 pm when a silver VW Golf failed to stop for police on the Queensway. The car then travelled at speed towards Mudford Sock where it narrowly missed a family with children. Shortly afterwards, a horse rider was forced into the hedge by the car. Anyone who saw what happened is asked to call the police non-emergency number 101.

Yeovil Hospital says online medical appointments have risen dramatically during the lockdown with more and more patients choosing not to visit the hospital because of fears over Covid. The hospital’s introducing a virtual assessment app to help reduce still further the number of patient visits to the hospital.

A bank in Chard is set to close at the end of June. Barclays, on Fore Street, says it’s closing the branch due to a fall in the number of customers using it in-person.

A nature charity is asking people in Somerset to count and record cowslips in their area. It's part of a survey by the conservation charity Plantlife to monitor the health of threatened meadows.

Plans have been submitted to build 50 new homes at Horton, near Ilminster. The development would be on land close to the Southfields roundabout on the A303. South Somerset District Council is expected to make a decision on the application later this year.

Somerset councils, including South Somerset District, and local town and parish councils, are urging the government not to force them into resuming face-to-face meetings. The government has announced the lifting of the temporary legislation, which allowed councillors to meet virtually during the pandemic, from May 6th. A legal challenge against the decision is due to be heard by the High Court next week.

Former Somerset County Council Leader, Baroness Cathy Bakewell has paid tribute to the Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Shirley Williams who died earlier this week. Baroness Bakewell, who lives at Hardington near Yeovil, said she had been a lifelong admirer of Baroness Williams and described her as someone who ‘changed the political landscape'.

More from News

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
Wednesday 29th January

New mums in Somerset could soon be offered a cervical screening test six weeks after giving birth. Police are asking for help in finding a Yeovil man wanted on recall to prison. The government has given half a million pounds towards planting more trees in Somerset, including 100 new trees in Yeovil...and more
Tuesday 28th January

Work continues to clean up from the floods in Chard, Ilminster, Somerton, South Petherton, and parts of Yeovil. A man who threatened to kill a support worker at the mental health unit in Yeovil has been sentenced to a community order. A competition that gives new musicians the chance to play at this year's Glastonbury festival has opened for entries...and more
Monday 27th January

A major incident has been declared by Somerset Council to ensure a multi-agency response to the flash flooding that's affected Chard, Crewkerne, Ilminster, South Petherton and parts of Yeovil. Police believe a 4x4 pick-up truck, found submerged in the River Yeo at Yeovilton at the weekend, may have been stolen. An appeal to raise £2 million to restore the Grand Organ at Wells Cathedral has raised over £1 million in less than 18 months...and more