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.

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Friday 12th June

It's claimed the increasing availability of drugs such as ketamine and cocaine has normalised drug use among young people in Somerset. The trial of a man accused of killing his one-month-old son in Chard begins today at Bristol Crown Court. A stone pillar outside the Langport Arms Hotel in Langport has been replaced after it was destroyed in a car crash... and more
Thursday 11th June

Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to the three aircrew from RNAS Yeovilton who died in last week's helicopter crash in Devon. Two men have been arrested and stolen vehicles seized following a major multi-agency operation in South Somerset. An event highlighting opportunities for women in the aerospace industry has been held in Yeovil... and more
Wednesday 10th June

The public will be consulted on how best to spend fifty million pounds of government funding to tackle flooding in Somerset. Avon and Somerset Police are backing a new road safety campaign aimed at reducing motorcycle fatalities. New welcome signs have been installed at entrances to the Mendip Hills National Landscape... and more
Tuesday 9th June

The government has announced a £50 million investment to strengthen Somerset’s flood defences. A woman from Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been banned from driving for 14 months after admitting drink-driving. Somerset Council has been told it must improve its adult social care services... and more
Monday 8th June

Plans for a new railway station in Langport remain stalled in Whitehall, according to Somerset Council. Plans to build 50 new homes in Broadway, near Ilminster, have been refused. The new water fountains in Yeovil’s Triangle, in Lower Middle Street, are being switched off during very hot weather because of safety concerns... and more.
Friday 5th June

A new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne says it won’t start operating at full capacity until July due to staff shortages. Somerset Council says it has no plans to show England matches in the World Cup on the Big Screen in Yeovil town centre due to safety concerns. A Somerset family has been thanked after completing a 73-mile walk raising money for a third world charity... and more
Thursday 4th June

An investigation continues today into the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter, based at RNAS Yeovilton, in which all three aircrew were killed. Somerset Council has confirmed that a new operator will take over several leisure centres across the county. The new live-action Masters of the Universe movie, filmed in Somerset, is released this week...and more
Wednesday 3rd June

A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with assaulting three police officers. Somerset Council has begun legal action to recover more than £320,000 owed by housing developers. The line-up has been announced for this year’s Ilminster Midsummer Experience...and more