Monday 13th May

Monday, 13 May 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Health inspectors have criticised Somerset's maternity services, including those at Yeovil Hospital. Somerset Council says re-opening Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre in its original form could cost up to £200,000 if a multi-million-pound upgrade of the building falls through. A film made by a Yeovil man on a budget of just five thousand pounds was screened at the prestigious British Independent Film Festival...and more.

Health inspectors have criticised Somerset's maternity services for having too few staff and not enough equipment to look after mothers and their newborn babies. The Care Quality Commission carried out inspections at three Somerset hospitals in November 2023, rating Yeovil Hospital’s maternity services as 'inadequate'. The Yeovil unit was found to have inadequate infection controls, and not always enough medical staff to keep people safe. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust says improvements have been made since the inspections were carried out, and that further enhancements are being made.

Somerset Council says re-opening Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre in its original form could cost up to £200,000 if a multi-million-pound building upgrade falls through. The Council plans to spend £15 million improving the auditorium, revamping the front-of-house and catering facilities, introducing better dressing rooms, and building a fly tower to expand the range of productions staged at the Octagon. However, the work depends on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport agreeing to a grant of £10 million being spent on the scaled-down project. Yeovil Town Council are in talks to take over the running of the Octagon Theatre and will give £3.75 million to the project, with the remaining £1.25 million sourced from external grants.

A woman has been charged with murder following the death of a man in Baltonsborough, near Glastonbury. Christine Kekkonen, aged 36, of Dunford Terrace, was arrested last Thursday. The victim has been named as 41-year-old Henri Kekkonen.

The enquiry office at Chard Police Station will temporarily close at the end of the month for improvements to be carried out to the building. The refurbishments include installing new windows, doors and roofing, solar panels, an air source heat pump, and two EV charging points. Avon and Somerset Police say while the Chard office is closed, people needing help should use Yeovil or Taunton police stations.

A film made by a Yeovil man on a budget of just five thousand pounds has been screened at the British Museum in London. ‘Blue’ tells the story of a father and son struggling to make a living from fishing. The film made by David Smith, a lecturer in the media department at Yeovil College was shown as part of the prestigious British Independent Film Festival held at the weekend.

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

Police are investigating the theft of a motorbike in Ilminster. Tributes have been paid to the former Yeovil Town player-manager, Cecil Irwin, who has died aged 83. Town criers from across the South West will be in Yeovil tomorrow competing for the loudest voice in the Yeovil Town Crier Competition 2025...and more
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.