Local News Thursday 19th August

    Ferns Nursing Home

    A Yeovil care home has been placed in special measures following a damning report by the Care Quality Commission. Work to regenerate Yeovil town centre is set to begin more than a year later than first planned. The owners of Kilver Court shopping outlet in Shepton Mallet have decided to sell the site. Somerset distance runner, Hannah Taunton, is being tipped for honours at the Tokyo Paralympics.

    A Yeovil care home has been placed in special measures following a damning report by the Care Quality Commission. Ferns Nursing Home in St Michaels Avenue in Yeovil was inspected in May and given the lowest possible rating of inadequate. Inspectors found numerous faults in the way the home was run, including that Covid risk assessments had not been undertaken in line with published guidance. The home now has now been given six months in which to address the CQC’s findings or face possible closure. A spokesperson for the operators, Almondsbury Care Ltd, said a comprehensive action plan had been drawn up and significant progress made in implementing the plan

    Work to regenerate Yeovil town centre is set to begin more than a year later than first planned. South Somerset District Council had promised the first phase of Yeovil Refresh involving pavement improvements to Westminster Street would begin last summer. The date was then moved to late 2020 and then to June this year. The Council blames the delay in finalising road closure arrangements with Somerset County Council. SSDC now says the improvement works to Westminster Street will begin in September.

    The owners of Kilver Court shopping outlet in Shepton Mallet have decided to sell the site due to the challenges of the pandemic. It was bought 25 years ago as the headquarters for Mulberry. Many of the businesses there, including the Great House, the Fashion Emporium, the Plant Nursery and the Garden Kitchen Restaurant will close in three weeks time.

    Somerset distance runner, Hannah Taunton, is being tipped for honours at the Tokyo Paralympics. When the games get underway next week, Hannah will compete in the T20 1500 meters. Her coach Charlotte Fisher thinks she stands a good chance at making the podium.

    More from News

    • Thursday 1st May

      There’s been a call for the Somerset Levels to be designated a National Landscape. A Yeovil man has raised £2,000 for a new school minibus at Fairmead School in Yeovil by running the London Marathon. Exmoor Ales, which provides cask ales across the region and beyond, is closing its Somerset brewery and moving the business to Surrey...and more.

    • Wednesday 30th April

      The long-awaited refurbishment of Yeovil police station is finally to get underway this summer. Plans have been approved to build 185 new homes off Bunford Lane in Yeovil. Police have arrested three men in Yeovil for being involved in the supply of Class A drugs. A Somerset jockey has been named Champion Conditional Jockey of 2025...and more.

    • Tuesday 29th April

      New figures have shown that registering as a new patient with an NHS dentist in Somerset is still just as difficult as it was six months ago. The go-ahead has been given to build 160 new houses on Station Road in Castle Cary. A sailor from South Petherton has been chosen to lead a team in the round-the-world Clipper Race...and more.

    • Monday 28th April

      Somerset Council is being criticised for taking too long to re-open Yeovil's Octagon Theatre. The Liberal Democrats have won a seat on Chard Town Council by one vote. Dates have been announced for this year’s illuminated carnival processions in South Somerset...and more.

    • Friday 25th April

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    •  Thursday 24th April

      Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident in which a child was struck by a car in Yeovil. This week, a planning inquiry is being held into plans to turn a Somerset shopping centre into a retirement complex. A Somerset woman is planning to walk the 70-miles of Hadrian's Wall to mark her 90th birthday...and more.

    • Wednesday 23rd April

      Tourism bosses in Somerset say they feel confident the County will have a good summer for visitors this year. A group representing care providers in Somerset is warning that some residential homes are at risk of going out of business due to rising costs. A Somerset animal charity has taken into care, three orphaned badger cubs...and more.

    • Tuesday 22nd April

      The Care Quality Commission has given two GP practices in Yeovil a 'good' overall rating. According to insurers, AXA, thefts at commercial premises in Somerset are on the rise. Bus users in Somerset could see changes to the frequency of services when the new West of England mayor takes office. Martock is to host its first Pride event in June...and more.

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Sunny intervals

      High: 27°C | Low: 11°C

    • Chard

      Sunny intervals

      High: 25°C | Low: 10°C

    • Crewkerne

      Sunny intervals

      High: 25°C | Low: 10°C

    • Somerton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 27°C | Low: 11°C

    • Wincanton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 27°C | Low: 11°C

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