Friday 16th May

Friday, 16 May 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A Wincanton woman, who is due to give birth with her first child at Yeovil Hospital, says she’s been left in shock after being told the maternity unit in the town is to close. A South Petherton man has appeared in court charged with riding a motorbike while under the influence of drugs. One of Ilminster’s oldest residents has died aged 104...and more

A Wincanton woman who is due to give birth with her first child at Yeovil Hospital says she's been left shocked after being told the maternity unit in Yeovil is closing due to safety concerns. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has apologised for the sudden shutdown that will see the baby unit at Yeovil Hospital close on Monday for an initial period of six months. The decision follows an inspection by the Care Quality Commission that identified safety issues and staff shortages within the unit. Jem, who is 29 weeks pregnant, says at this stage, she does not know which hospital she will use to have her baby.

A South Petherton man has appeared in court charged with riding a motorbike while under the influence of drugs. Appearing before magistrates in Yeovil, Liam Kingsnorth, aged 19, of Mere Lynches in South Petherton, admitted being in possession of crack cocaine and cannabis when he was stopped by police in Martock following a car chase. Kingsnorth was also given a twelve-month community order with 80 hours of unpaid work.

One of Ilminster's oldest residents, Bill Lawson, has died at the age of 104. Bill, who served in the RAF during World War Two, worked most of his life in local government and, in retirement, lived in Ilminster. He was involved with the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans. A Memorial Service for Bill Lawson will be held at The Minster Church on Tuesday, June 10th, at 2 pm.

Marcus Stewart has left Yeovil Town following his diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease (MND). The former player, and more recently Head of Player Development at Huish Park, was diagnosed with MND in 2022. In a statement, Yeovil Town thanked Marcus for his contributions on and off the pitch and said he remains a cherished part of the club's history.

Yeovil's Mayor, Tony Lock, officially opened a new baby unit at a Yeovil nursery. The addition of the unit and a new garden area is part of a major upgrade of facilities at the Happy Days Nurseries, formerly known as Yew Tree Nursery, on Forest Hill in Yeovil.

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Bird flu has been found at a nature reserve in Somerset, closing part of it down. 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.
Tuesday 28th October

Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more
Monday 27th October

The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more
Friday 24th October

New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more
Thursday 23rd October

Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more
Wednesday 22nd October

A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more .
Tuesday 21st October

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