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.

More from News

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.
Thursday 6th November

The Supreme Court has ruled that building thousands of homes in Somerset has been "unlawfully held up". The Head of Holyrood Academy in Chard has described the building of a new primary school in the town as an ‘incredible opportunity’. A pub near Chard has been named one of the best in Britain by The Good Food Guide...and more
Wednesday 5th November

Members of the Unite union at Leonardo in Yeovil have called off a planned strike for today. South Western Railway says trains on the West of England Line will start running normally again at the end of the month. A memorial post box has been placed at the entrance to Crewkerne cemetery...and more.
Tuesday 4th November

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service says from today it will no longer respond to automatic fire alarms. School in a Bag, based in Chilthorne Domer, is sending 400 school bags to Jamaica, following Hurricane Melissa. Yeovil Town has paid tribute to former manager Colin Addison, who has passed away...and more.
Monday 3rd November

Plans have been approved to convert Old Viney Bridge Mill in Crewkerne to residential use. The go-ahead has been given to decommission Hinkley Point B nuclear power plant in Somerset. We’re being asked to provide food for hedgehogs that come into our gardens this winter...and more.
Friday 31st October

There's anger in Chard about a road diversion in place alongside two sets of roadworks through the town. A motorcyclist has been injured in an accident in Bruton. £100,000 has been donated towards re-opening Shepton Mallet’s Amulet theatre...and more
Thursday 30th October

Bird flu has been detected at a nature reserve in Somerset, resulting in the closure of part of it. St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset is calling for the hospice sector to be given more central funding. The Barrington Boar in Barrington has been placed 12th in The Good Food Guide’s list of 100 best pubs in Britain...and more
Wednesday 29th October

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.