IT was announced that a pioneering furniture reuse project which has helped thousands of people on low incomes in Chard would close at the end of January.

FurniCare, which has an outlet in Boden Street, was the original furniture recycling facility in Somerset, set up 21 years ago.

It collects donated furniture from people who no longer need it and sells it at low price to those who are most in need, with proceeds from sales funding the operation.

South Somerset Association for Voluntary and Community Action (SSVCA), the charity which runs it, took the decision after consulting with staff who work at the outlets in both Chard and Yeovil.

 

PARENTS at Chard School rallied round to save it from closure.

Governors called the school's future into doubt, telling staff and parents at an emergency meeting that it was in financial trouble.

A newly-formed steering committee headed by parent Lindsay Rossiter warned that a key element of the school's survival is retaining existing pupil numbers until the end of the academic year.

Steering committee spokeswoman Lilias Ahmeira said: “It is very apparent that the school is being saved by the intelligence and passion of the parents and staff who have shown themselves to be a courageous force to be reckoned with.”