Wednesday 5th June

Wednesday, 5 June 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

World War Two veterans, including 99-year-old Stan Ford from Somerset, have arrived in Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. A project to encourage more sustainable travel for school children is underway in Somerset. Strawberry growers say the season's been delayed by around two weeks due to a lack of sunshine...and more.

World War Two veterans, including 99-year-old Stan Ford from Somerset, have arrived in Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Each of them is carrying a commemorative torch from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission that will form the centrepiece of a vigil at Bayeux War Cemetery. Stan Ford served with the Royal Navy during D-Day and was badly injured when his ship was torpedoed.

A project to encourage more sustainable travel for school children is underway in Somerset.

Strawberry growers in Somerset say the season has been delayed by around two weeks due to a lack of sunshine this year.

People eligible for a Spring Covid jab are being told they only have until the end of this month to get one. The vaccination booster is available to those aged 75 or over, along with older adult care home residents, and people with a weakened immune system.

A new adventure garden has been opened at Shepton Beauchamp Church School. Children at the school were involved in designing the new play area, with parents raising £8,000 to pay for it.

A ‘Pride in Parks’ five-star award has been given to Ninesprings Country Park in Yeovil. It’s the fourth time the Park’s been given the award by The Royal Horticultural Society. The judging panel singled out the park rangers and volunteers for maintaining the appearance of Ninesprings Country Park.

Firefighters at Yeovil Fire Station will embark on cycling 270 miles in just two days for charity later this month. Members of Yeovil Red Watch will be cycling to every fire station in Somerset, plus one in every neighbouring county, starting on Thursday, June 20th, raising money for The Little Princess Trust and The Firefighters Charity.

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Tuesday 18th November

Somerset Council has set up a task force to help identify land for a permanent traveller’s site in the county. Police are appealing for information after a charity shop in Martock was targeted by burglars. A Somerset woman is seeking individuals with a connection to the armed forces to join a new amateur rowing club...and more.
Monday 17th November

Workers belonging to the Unite union at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil are threatening further strike action. Dunelm says its Yeovil store in the Quedam will reopen on Tuesday, December 16th. A nurse working at Yeovil Hospital has won a place in the final of Miss England...and more.
Friday 14th November

Yeovil Hospital has introduced a new system for handling patients at its A&E department aimed at cutting waiting times. It’s claimed that an Iron Age settlement preserved under Somerset's wetlands for 2,000 years is facing erosion due to climate change. Montacute Road in Tintinhull will be closed for five days next week for repairs to a gas main.
Thursday 13th November

Workers at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil are taking part in a second day of strike action in their dispute over pay. Lloyds Bank has closed its branch in Chard permanently. A week-long programme of tree planting will be held at Ham Hill later this month to mark National Tree Week...and more
Wednesday 12th November

Workers belonging to the Unite union at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil begin a two-day strike today. Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, has been speaking in a parliamentary debate on improving dyslexia support in schools. South Western Ambulance Service is inviting applications for positions on its governing council...and more
Tuesday 11th November

Somerset residents are being urged to get a flu jab as cases of flu continue to rise. Seven horse saddles have been stolen in a break-in at a riding school in Queen Camel. Donations of children’s toys are needed for this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal...and more
Monday 10th November

It’s claimed Somerset Council has lost nearly £5 million selling the Marks and Spencer building in Yeovil. A car has been set on fire in a suspected arson attack in Shepton Mallet. A Crewkerne man says night-time noise from the town's Waitrose store is causing him and his family "sleep disturbance" ... and more.
Friday 7th November

A man from Yeovil has been jailed for eight years after being convicted of three counts of rape. Smoking rates in Somerset remain higher than in many other parts of the UK. Students at three schools in Yeovil have created a new shoe design for Clarks.