Local News Friday 26th February

    Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh has criticised the government for asking children to wear facemasks in school. Yeovil Town’s season in the National League could end early unless agreement is reached over a loan with Sport England. A Yeovil GP surgery that had been at risk of closure has been put under new management and more ....

    Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh has criticised the government for asking children to wear facemasks in school. Commenting on Twitter, Mr Fysh described the guidance as ‘appalling’ and said it shouldn’t be supported. 

    Meanwhile, the Head of Preston School in Yeovil, Greg Morrison, has welcomed the decision that teachers will decide grades for this year's GCSEs, A-levels and written vocational qualifications in England after the exams were cancelled because of the pandemic. The government has confirmed that unlike last year, no algorithms will be used to calculate pupils' grades and that exam boards will check random samples, and students will receive their results earlier than usual, to allow extra time for any appeals. Mr Morrison said given the circumstances of the pandemic, the government was doing the right thing.

    Yeovil Town’s season in the National League could end early unless agreement is reached over a loan with Sport England. In a statement, Chairman, Scott Priestnall says Yeovil Town are heading for a 1-mllion pound loss this season due to supporters not being allowed into stadiums. The Chairman says an emergency government loan has been offered and that the Club are giving it consideration, but if the loan is found to be unaffordable, then players and staff will be furloughed and the club will not complete the season.

    A Yeovil GP surgery that had been at risk of closure has been put under new management. Following a damning inspection, the Care Quality Commission described Ryalls Park Medical Centre on Marsh Lane as ‘inadequate’ and ‘requiring urgent improvement’. Ryalls Park will now be run by Symphony Healthcare Services, who operate 14 GP practices in Somerset, including Oaklands Surgery here in Yeovil.

    A Somerset bride-to-be says she’s unhappy over the government’s plans to re-admit guests at weddings. Weddings can take place with 15 guests from mid-April and 30 from mid-May. But, Justine Clayton, who postponed her wedding last year and now plans to get married at the end of May says the limit on guests should be lifted sooner. 

    A crowd funding appeal to re-open a village pub in South Somerset has received donations of just under £90,000. The Green Dragon in Combe St Nicholas closed its doors permanently last September. Organisers are seeking to raise £400,000 to buy the building and run the pub as a social enterprise.

    More from News

    • Wednesday 17th June

      Avon and Somerset Police say they'll be carrying out enhanced patrols for drink and drug driving during and after England's opening World Cup game tonight. Somerset Chamber of Commerce is warning that the conflict in Iran is having a serious impact on local businesses. A master thatcher based in Ilminster says the traditional craft of thatching is under threat because of a lack of training opportunities...and more

    • Tuesday 16th June

      Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal two-vehicle crash on the A358 near Ilminster. A man from Norton-sub-Hamdon has appeared in court charged with drink driving. An original Mr Blobby costume from the former Blobbyland theme park at Cricket St Thomas has been put up for sale... and more

    • Monday 15th June

      People in Somerset are being asked to take part in a new survey about alcohol use. Yeovil's MP Adam Dance will lead a debate in Parliament today on NHS dentistry. A Yeovil runner has been selected to represent England at a national endurance championship... and more

    • 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.

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Light rain

      High: 20°C | Low: 14°C

    • Chard

      Light rain

      High: 20°C | Low: 14°C

    • Crewkerne

      Light rain

      High: 20°C | Low: 14°C

    • Somerton

      Light rain

      High: 21°C | Low: 15°C

    • Wincanton

      Light rain

      High: 21°C | Low: 15°C