Friday 27 March

Friday, 27 March 2026 05:00

By Steve Haigh

There's been a big improvement in ambulance response times in Somerset. Three local people have been charged with offences linked to the theft and supply of prescription-only drugs. A fragment of a jawbone found in a cave in Cheddar Gorge appears to show that humans kept dogs as pets as far back as 5,000 years ago... and more

New figures show that people who suffered a heart attack or stroke were reached more quickly by South West Ambulance in the first two months of 2026. Response times fell by 38 minutes. In 2023, average response times for category two emergencies stood at 72 minutes. The improved performance comes despite a 22 per cent rise in demand for the ambulance service.

Three people are due to appear in court charged with offences linked to the theft and supply of prescription-only drugs in Somerset. Alastair Caines, aged 40, of Yeovil; Stuart Eales, 54, formerly of Yeovil; and Louise Larby, 41, also formerly of Yeovil, are facing conspiracy charges over supplying Class C drugs. Stuart Eales and Louise Larby also face a charge of theft of controlled drugs between May 2022 and March 2024 while working for a pharmacy. All three are due to appear at Yeovil Magistrates’ Court on 31 March.

A woman from Ilminster has appeared in court charged with preventing the lawful burial of a relative whose body was found inside a car in Cornwall. Rosemary Manders, aged 54, of Ilminster, appeared before Truro Magistrates’ Court alongside Dinah Manders, aged 88, of Exeter. Both are charged with preventing the lawful and decent burial of Glen Manders between 15 October and 19 December 2024.

A new arts festival is being held in Yeovil town centre this weekend. The Yeovil Art Weekender, organised by Yeovil Art Space, will feature events, exhibitions and creative activities for all ages.

A fragment of a jawbone found in a cave in Cheddar Gorge in Somerset appears to show that humans kept dogs as pets as far back as 5,000 years ago. It was originally thought the bone belonged to a wolf, but new investigation techniques suggest a different story.

More from News

Thursday 26th March

Somerset Council is offering food vouchers during the school easter holidays to families whose children receive free school meals. A local man has been charged in connection with an incident involving a firearm in Yeovil. The Environment Agency says it could take up to 10 years to protect homes at Holway House Park and Home Farm Park in Ilminster from flooding...and more.
Wednesday 25th March

Yeovil MP Adam Dance has raised concerns in the House of Commons about the planned closure of Yeovil Hospital’s hyper-acute stroke unit. Police in Yeovil are appealing for information after a man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm. A 13-year-old terrier named Mole has been rescued after becoming trapped underground...and more
Tuesday 24th March

Yeovil College has received a glowing report following an Ofsted inspection. The main road between Chard and Ilminster is to be better protected from flooding. A six-thousand-year-old wooden walkway has been uncovered on the Somerset Levels... and more
Monday 23rd March

A wildcat helicopter belonging 815 Squadron based at RNAS Yeovilton has been in action tracking two Russian ships in the English Channel. People living in Somerset will have to pay to use Dorset’s household waste recycling centres from today. A road in Ilminster has closed to traffic today and will stay shut for the next ten days... and more
Friday 20th March

Police are appealing for witnesses to a three-vehicle crash in Sherborne. The jobs of housing maintenance staff at Somerset Council could be outsourced to a private contractor. A pie throwing event is taking place in Chard today for Red Nose Day ... and more
Thursday 19th March

Farmers in Somerset say they're struggling after a doubling in the price of red diesel. Yeovil MP Adam Dance has criticised Donald Trump over his comments about people with learning disabilities. A Somerset woman whose father was killed in a crash on the M5 is running the London Marathon to raise money for South West Ambulance...and more
Wednesday 18th March

The murder of a two-week-old baby by his father at Yeovil Hospital could not have been predicted, according to a new report. A road in Ilminster is to close to traffic for eleven days later this month. A new Post Office counter is to open in Somerton... and more
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