Friday 1st August

Friday, 1 August 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A family in Marston Magna is trying to get a relative home from a holiday in Greece, where he's been taken seriously ill. The fire service is warning of the dangers of leaving mirrors in view of direct sunlight. Residents in Touchstone Lane in Chard have started a new community speed watch group...and more

A family in Marston Magna is trying to get a relative home from a holiday in Greece, where he's been taken seriously ill after insurers refused to pay his travel costs. His insurance company say that Alan Kirby had a pre-existing medical condition that was not disclosed when he applied for travel insurance. His stepdaughter, Lisa Whitemore, has launched an appeal for money to bring him home and is urging holidaymakers to read the terms and conditions of their insurance policies before travelling.

The fire service is warning of the dangers of leaving mirrors in view of direct sunlight following a fire at a property in Crofton Park in Yeovil caused by a mirror left by a window. The fire service says the mirror was left in direct sunlight, sparking a fire that spread to textile wall hangings in a bedroom.

Residents in Touchstone Lane and Helliers Road in Chard have started a community speed watch group. The group, which applied to register with Avon and Somerset Police, want a 20-mile-an-hour limit, together with other traffic-calming measures, introduced in Touchstone Lane and Helliers Road.

A further 60 homes could be built close to Castle Cary railway station if new plans are approved. The development will be accessed via Burfitt Road within the Lovel’s Farm site, and is in addition to the Station Green development at Ansford Hill, where 200 new homes are planned. Grass Roots Planning says a planning application will be submitted to Somerset Council before Christmas. Meanwhile, 49 new homes are to be built in Bruton. Somerset Council has approved plans for the development on the A359 at Cuckoo Hill, close to where a new doctors' surgery will be built.

And, due to the closure of A378 at Langport for bridge repairs, the Nat West mobile bank will be parked at a different location during August. It can be found in the car park at the Rose and Crown pub each Thursday, 12.30 to 1.15 pm. The A378 will be shut between Eastover and the junction with Moor Close to the end of August.

More from News

Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more