Wednesday 20th November

Wednesday, 20 November 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, says he’ll vote in favour of the Assisted Dying Bill when it comes before Parliament later this month. Manor Court Primary School in Chard has been rated as ‘good’ following an OFSTED inspection. Forty-nine new homes are to be built at Broadway Hill in Horton, near Ilminster, following a successful planning appeal...and more

Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, says he’ll vote in favour of the Assisted Dying Bill when it comes before Parliament later this month. If the Bill is passed, it will allow adults who are terminally ill to end their own life, subject to safeguards, A free vote on the bill will take place in Parliament on Friday, November 29th.

Farmers from Somerset joined thousands of others from across the country at yesterday’s demonstration in London against changes to inheritance tax rules. It was held in protest at the government’s plan to charge a 20 percent inheritance tax on farms, worth more than a million pounds when they are passed on within families. Sir Keir Starmer says he understands the plan is causing concern but will not change it.

Manor Court Primary School in Chard has been rated as ‘good’ following an OFSTED inspection. The school was praised for supporting disadvantaged pupils and those with special needs and for providing exceptional education and care to all its pupils.

Forty-nine new homes are to be built at Broadway Hill in Horton, near Ilminster, following a successful planning appeal. Somerset Council’s planning committee south voted to refuse the plans claiming the homes would amount to “over-development” and put a strain on local services. But following an appeal by developers Galion, the Council’s decision has been overturned. A separate appeal, arguing for the Council to pay Galion’s legal costs due to “unreasonable behaviour”, was dismissed.

Wessex Water is carrying out essential sewer renovation work in Ilminster all this week and over the next three weeks. Two-way traffic lights will be operating on the High Street, where the work is being carried out causing delays for motorists getting in and out of Ilminster town centre.

The A303 will be shut westbound between Ilchester and the Cartgate roundabout this evening from 8 pm to 6 am tomorrow for white-lining work. Diversions will be in operation via the A37 and A3088.

A darts tournament is being held in memory of a popular pub landlord in Chard. Organised by Chard and District Darts League in memory of Steven Jones, who was the landlord of the Phoenix Hotel, it takes place at the pub on Saturday, December 28th. There’s a £5 entrance fee, with all money raised going to Alopecia UK.

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Thursday 18th December

Yeovil MP Adam Dance has warned that delays in ordering 30 new medium lift helicopters for the RAF is putting the future of Somerset’s defence industries at risk. Somerset's farmers are being urged to convert more cow manure into biogas to heat homes. A new visitor centre has opened at Ham Hill country park...and more
Wednesday 17th December

Parcel business, Evri, has been criticised by Glastonbury and Somerton MP Sarah Dyke over what she claims have been ‘widespread delivery failures’. Demand for mental health support provided by South Western Ambulance Service is running at record levels. A nine-year-old Somerset boy has completed 100 days of litter picking for charity...and more
Tuesday 14th December

New data shows that crime in the Avon and Somerset police area is at an all-time high. Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard has issued a warning to prospective pet owners ahead of Christmas. The owner of four pubs in Somerset has warned that many could be forced to shut unless the government reconsiders business rates...and more.
Monday 15th December

Toolstream in Yeovil has been put into administration, threatening the jobs of dozens of employees. NHS Somerset has issued a last chance call for people to get a flu jab after hospital admissions increased by 76% in a week. Police are investigating the theft of a bike valued at £7,000 in Sherborne... and more
Friday 12th December

The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.
Thursday 11th December

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Wednesday 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 9th December

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.