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

Thursday 3rd April

Two-thirds of employers in Somerset say the hike in employers' National Insurance will mean cutting staff. Police are investigating incidents of repeated damage at Somerton recreation ground. A man has been arrested in Chard on suspicion of indecent exposure. The story of the Monmouth Rebellion is being told in a new exhibition...and more
Wednesday 2nd April

Leonardo Helicopters has won a £165 million repair and maintenance contract that will secure 200 jobs at the Yeovil factory. Police are searching for a thief who stole a safe containing £1500 in cash from a pub in Ilminster. Alzheimer's UK says the number of people with dementia in Somerset is massively under-recorded... and more.
Tuesday 1st April

Police are investigating the cause of a suspicious fire at the former Oscar Mayer site in Chard. Yeovil Town owner, Martin Hellier, has stepped down as club chairman. According to the website, Property Solvers, Martock has the slowest housing market in Somerset. A new Head Teacher has been appointed to run Sexeys School in Bruton...and more
Monday 31st March

Yeovil Town owner Martin Hellier has announced his intention to put the club up for sale. Somerset Chamber of Commerce says small businesses are bracing themselves for a challenging year. The Children's Hospice South West founder, Eddie Farwell, has died. Tintinhull Gardens near Yeovil have reopened for the new season...and more
Friday 28th March

First Bus has invested £12 million in buying 26 electric buses to run on routes in Somerset. Approval has been given to build 18 new homes in South Petherton. Somerset’s recycling sites, including Yeovil, will revert to their spring opening times next week. This year’s Somerset Drama Festival has been won by Ilminster Entertainments Society...and more.
Thursday 27th March

Yeovil MP Adam Dance has criticised the Chancellor for not reforming business rates in her Spring Statement. Fifteen schools in Somerset are to be equipped with new facilities for children with special educational needs. A charity in Yeovil is appealing for donations of new underwear to give to people who are homeless...and more
Wednesday 26th March

The remains of a Roman settlement have been discovered near Langport. Chard Town Council has issued a formal apology over some of its recent conduct. Visitors to Ham Hill Country Park are being asked to tread carefully and keep pets on leads to protect breeding skylarks nesting at ground-level...and more
Tuesday 25th March

A teenage boy has been arrested following an incident in Castle Cary. Somerset Council has announced “wide-ranging improvements” to bus services. Work has started upgrading a doctor’s surgery in Chard. The finalists have been announced for this year’s Somerset Business Awards...and more