Friday 10th January

Friday, 10 January 2025 05:00

By Steve Haigh

Yeovil Hospital has declared a critical incident due to a sharp rise in flu admissions putting pressure on bed spaces. Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, joined campaigners and colleagues in Downing Street this week to hand in a petition calling for action to tackle the shortage of NHS dentists. Yeovil's Marlie Packer has been replaced as England's Red Roses captain for 2025 season... and more

Yeovil Hospital has declared a critical incident due to a sharp rise in flu admissions putting pressure on bed spaces. It comes as NHS data shows that more than one thousand more people a week are being admitted to hospital with the virus.

An extra 14 pounds is how much people in the Somerset area could be asked to pay as part of their council tax bill next year to help fund local policing. It's the maximum amount Avon and Somerset Police can charge, using the example of a band D property.

Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, joined campaigners and colleagues in Downing Street earlier this week to hand in a petition calling for action by the government to tackle the shortage of NHS dentists. The petition, started by the British Dental Association, was signed by 257,000 people. Campaigners want the government to provide better funding for NHS dentistry, and ensure fair access to dental care for everyone.

There's another scam doing the rounds trying to exploit pensioners who will no longer get winter fuel payments. Police in Somerset say criminals are encouraging people to click on links in order to register or claim money to pay for heating. They're asking relatives of vulnerable or elderly people to share the warning and prevent financial and personal data being handed to scammer.

Cambrian Lufton Manor College in Yeovil that teaches students with autism has been giving a glowing report from the Care Quality Commission. The college, that also supports people with learning disabilities, currently has 14 students living on-campus aged between 16 and 24. In their report, inspectors said staff were exceptional at treating students as individuals and were exceptional at promoting their independence.

Yeovil's Marlie Packer has been replaced as England's Red Roses captain for 2025 season. The Saracen's player has 108 caps for England but did not start every match in last year's six nations. Marlie who will remain as Vice Captain says she’s 'loved every minute' of her time as captain and fully supports Zoe Aldcroft as her replacement.

More from News

Tuesday 17th March

The government is being asked to help fund Somerset's carnivals. Bridgwater Town Council wants more trains to stop at the town’s railway station. A fund raising pie throwing event is taking place for Red Nose Day in Chard... and more
Monday 16th March

Drivers are being told that it could take several more weeks yet before Hendford Hill in Yeovil reopens to traffic. A new bus service between Glastonbury and Castle Cary railway station is to start on a trial basis. Children in Chard are being given free reading books as part of a scheme founded by Dolly Parton... and more
Friday 13th March

The first of the new medium lift helicopters being built by Leonardo in Yeovil for the RAF will be delivered in 2031. Somerset Council has launched a public consultation on planned new charges at its two hundred public car parks. More women in Somerset are said to be taking up walking football... and more
Thursday 12th March

A Yeovil headteacher says he’s concerned about plans to stop giving school holiday food vouchers to families on low incomes. The owner of Yeovil Town is calling on fans to be patient as he continues his overhaul of the National League side. A high voltage fault is being blamed for plunging 1700 homes into darkness in the Ilminster area... and more
Wednesday 11th March

Plans have been submitted to convert two properties in Yeovil into houses of multiple occupation. A new court date has been announced for a Yeovil man charged with attempted murder. An engineer who has worked at the Leonardo factory in Yeovil for 40-years has won a top industry award... and more
Tuesday 10th March

Police say a fire at the former Oscar Mayer food factory in Chard was started deliberately. Yeovil College says it would have been adversely affected had Leonardo not won the contract to build new medium-lift helicopters. A seven-foot dragon will be visiting towns and villages in our area during the next few weeks to promote Somerset Day... and more
Monday 9th March

Two Wildcat helicopters from 815 Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton have arrived in Cyprus to help protect RAF Akrotiri from further Iranian drone strikes. New figures show that 40 people were killed on Avon and Somerset’s roads in the last 12-months. A Somerset man has been recalling the day 60-years ago when he was a passenger on the last train on the Somerset and Dorset Railway... and more
Friday 6th March

Defence Minister Luke Pollard has been explaining why it took the government so long to confirm a contract for the Leonardo in Yeovil to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. Police are investigating a break in at a pet shop in Ilminster. Somerset Council is to stop using red ink on council tax reminder letters... and more