Tuesday 14th January

Tuesday, 14 January 2025 06:00

Police are appealing for witnesses after two people died in a car crash near Shepton Mallet. A new passing loop could be introduced on the rail line between Castle Cary and Yeovil Pen Mill stations. St Margaret’s Hospice has thanked the public for making this year’s Christmas Tree Recycling project their most successful ever...and more

The Chief Medical Officer at NHS Somerset says the decision to close Yeovil Hospital's hyperacute stroke unit and move it to Taunton is designed to give patients better care. Dr Bernie Marden’s comments come as a Yeovil man treated for a stroke locally has questioned the decision that’s expected to be implemented next year. When that happens stroke patients in Yeovil will be taken for emergency treatment to Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital or Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester. Steve D'Arcy, who suffered a stroke in 2019 at the age of 36, says he owes his life to the hyperacute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital.

Police are appealing for witnesses or dashcam footage after two people died in a car crash near Shepton Mallet. It happened on the A361 near Cranmore on Sunday afternoon at around 4 pm. The two people who died were travelling in the same car. Two others in a second vehicle were taken to hospital but their injuries are not thought to be life-changing.

A new passing loop could be introduced on the rail line between Castle Cary and Yeovil Pen Mill stations. The scheme that would allow for one train each hour to travel in each direction between Castle Cary and Yeovil Pen Mill has been identified for funding by the transport body, the Western Gateway, to boost the region’s economic performance and make rail transport easier for passengers.

Members of the public are being asked to help Somerset Council find sites for development, as part of a new local plan being drawn up for the County. The sites will be used for various development projects, including the creation of pitches for gypsies and travellers. The ‘Call for Sites’ encourages landowners and developers, to submit land they would like to be considered for development.

A pharmacist in Yeovil says this year the NHS was late starting the winter flu jab campaign. Ioannis Klappas says previously the jab was offered in September. But this year, it wasn’t until October that it became available.

St Margaret’s Hospice has thanked the public for making this year’s Christmas Tree Recycling project their most successful ever. 150 volunteers working across all of Somerset collected 2,000 trees for recycling in the first days of January, raising £32,000 in donations for St Margaret’s.

The animal charity Rushton Dog Rescue has opened a fundraising shop in Chard. Rushton Dog Rescue is an animal sanctuary that tries to ensure every dog has a good quality of life. The new shop is on Holyrood Street in Chard.

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Friday 25th April

Police are investigating the theft of a motorbike in Ilminster. Tributes have been paid to the former Yeovil Town player-manager, Cecil Irwin, who has died aged 83. Town criers from across the South West will be in Yeovil tomorrow competing for the loudest voice in the Yeovil Town Crier Competition 2025...and more
Thursday 24th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident in which a child was struck by a car in Yeovil. This week, a planning inquiry is being held into plans to turn a Somerset shopping centre into a retirement complex. A Somerset woman is planning to walk the 70-miles of Hadrian's Wall to mark her 90th birthday...and more.
Wednesday 23rd April

Tourism bosses in Somerset say they feel confident the County will have a good summer for visitors this year. A group representing care providers in Somerset is warning that some residential homes are at risk of going out of business due to rising costs. A Somerset animal charity has taken into care, three orphaned badger cubs...and more.
Tuesday 22nd April

The Care Quality Commission has given two GP practices in Yeovil a 'good' overall rating. According to insurers, AXA, thefts at commercial premises in Somerset are on the rise. Bus users in Somerset could see changes to the frequency of services when the new West of England mayor takes office. Martock is to host its first Pride event in June...and more.
Thursday 17th April

The father of a one-month-old baby boy in Chard is to stand trial for the murder of his son. New figures show that just under 1300 crimes were reported to the Police in Yeovil during the final quarter of last year. A night in a prison cell is offered at Shepton Mallet Jail to those who want to be alone this Easter...and more.
Wednesday 16th April

Big changes are being made to where taxi ranks in Yeovil are located. Farmers are being told to keep an extra lookout for people acting suspiciously following the latest livestock theft near the Devon and Somerset border. Channel 4’s Location Location Location is coming to Somerset, with anyone looking to buy a property locally invited to apply to be in the show...and more
Tuesday 15th April

A 36-year-old man remains in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of a sexual assault in Yeovil. Yeovil Labour Club has had its drinks licence revoked. NHS Somerset has been taking its physiotherapy team around the county to cut waiting times for patients. A men-only cooking course has been launched in Sherborne with all ingredients and equipment provided free of charge...and more
Monday 14th April

A new banking hub has opened in Crewkerne. South Western Ambulance is asking people to only dial 999 in a life-threatening emergency over the Easter weekend. £1.8 million is being spent improving walking and cycling routes around a major new housing development at Up Mudford in Yeovil...and more