Local News Tuesday 9th August

    New figures have shown that bus passenger numbers in Somerset are thirty percent below what they were before the pandemic. New research has shown that it has become almost impossible to register as a new patient with an NHS dentist in Somerset. A Somerset man has been explaining why he’s decided to return to Ukraine. A fully accessible forest school has been launched near Langport and more.

    New figures have shown that bus passenger numbers in Somerset are thirty percent below what they were before the pandemic and that travel by bus pass holders is at its lowest level ever. Now, Somerset County Council and the Somerset Bus Partnership have joined forces on a campaign called Bus It that’s aimed at persuading people not to use a car but to travel by bus instead.

    New research has shown that it has become almost impossible to register as a new patient with an NHS dentist in Somerset. It found that nine out of ten practices in the County are unable to take on new NHS patients. The government says its provided £50 million pounds to better support dentists. Ian Mills, spokesperson for The British Dental Association in Somerset says the situation remains difficult.

    People in Yeovil are being encouraged to get vaccinated against Covid-19. Pharmacy2U which runs the Yeovil vaccination clinic in King George Street is offering people of all ages a first, second, or booster jab. Parents and guardians are asked to attend with children aged under 15.

    A Somerset man has been explaining why he’s decided to return to Ukraine. Steve Brooks went to Ukraine at the start of the war to provide first aid training on the front line. He returned home after a couple of months away but has now gone back to southern Ukraine. He says the situation in Ukraine is worsening by the day and that he plans to stay for quite a while.

    A fully accessible forest school has been launched near Langport. The Graceful Badger Forest School gives children the opportunity to sample the natural arts and use the woods for play activities.

    More from News

    • Monday 8th December

      Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more

    • Friday 5th December

      Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.

    • Thursday 4th December

      The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more

    • Wednesday 3rd December

      Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,

    • Tuesday 2nd December

      A 33-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a serious assault in Wincanton. Fire crews have dealt with a house fire in the village of Pitney. Plans have been submitted to redevelop Bridgwater Docks into a cultural and tourist destination. Ilminster's annual Christmas tree festival has opened in the town...and more

    • Monday 1st December

      New figures show that crime in the Avon and Somerset police area rose by 8% in the year to June. South Western Railway has restarted running hourly services through Sherborne, Yeovil and Crewkerne following months of disruption. Persimmon Homes South West has donated £1500 towards the running costs of Castle Cary Rugby Club...and more

    • Friday 28th November

      Somerset Council has failed to stop 150 homes being built in Crewkerne. Posters of a drag act coming to Somerset, displayed in Shepton Mallet, have been vandalised. Avon and Somerset police are using proceeds from drug crime to fund community projects...and more,

    • Thursday 27th November

      A new NHS dentist in Chard will start seeing its first patients next Tuesday. The go-ahead has been given to install five new lighting and CCTV columns on Milfield Road in Chard. Work is to start in January, replacing ageing traffic signals at the A39 junction with Clarks Village in Street...and more

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Light rain

      High: 13°C | Low: 11°C

    • Chard

      Light rain

      High: 12°C | Low: 11°C

    • Crewkerne

      Light rain

      High: 12°C | Low: 11°C

    • Somerton

      Light rain

      High: 14°C | Low: 11°C

    • Wincanton

      Light rain

      High: 13°C | Low: 11°C

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