Monday 15th September

Monday, 15 September 2025 01:00

By Steve Haigh

NHS Somerset says it’s 'fully committed' to re-opening maternity services at Yeovil Hospital, but won't say when it will reopen. Water levels at Somerset's reservoirs have dropped below 50%, despite the recent heavy rain. A charity shop in Martock has reunited a long-lost compass with its owner after he lost it 70 years ago...and more

NHS Somerset says it’s 'fully committed' to re-opening maternity services at Yeovil Hospital. The Special Care Baby Unit, together with inpatient maternity services, was closed in May following concerns about the safety, quality and fragility of paediatric services at Yeovil Hospital. CEO of NHS Somerset, Jonathan Higman, says they’re due an update on staffing in the maternity unit in November, but won't give a date when the unit will reopen.

Water levels at Somerset's reservoirs have dropped below 50%, despite the recent heavy rain. Data from the Environment Agencies shows that currently Wimbleball, Clatworthy, Chew Valley and Blagdon reservoirs are all classed as exceptionally low.

Somerset Council says it may have to look long and hard at making more cuts to services if further government support is not provided. An overspend of 5.4m is forecast for this year, with proceeds from property sales channelled into the Council's transformation programme. A further update on the Council's spending is expected in December.

A charity shop in Martock has reunited a long-lost compass with its owner after he lost it 70 years ago. The shop found a piece of paper in a case containing the compass, saying that it belonged to David L Bruton of Leicester University. After contacting the university, the compass was returned to Mr Bruton in Oslo, Norway. It later transpired that he lost the compass while on a field trip to Somerset 70 years ago.

A Somerset charity that helps rescue hedgehogs has been saved from closure, for the time being at least. £45,000 has been raised through a GoFundMe appeal to keep open Prickles Hedgehog Rescue in Cheddar. However, the charity states that it requires £100,000 per year to operate the centre, and its future remains uncertain.

More from News

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