Monday 26th February

Monday, 26 February 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

An investigation is underway into a major fire at the weekend that destroyed the premises of two businesses in Chard. Junior doctors at Yeovil Hospital are on strike again today as part of a national five-day stoppage in support of a 35 per cent pay demand. A feature film made by a lecturer at Yeovil College for just £5000 has had its premier showing...and more.

An investigation is underway into a major fire at the weekend that destroyed the premises of two businesses in Chard. It broke out in the early hours of yesterday at PMBL Batteries on Leach Road and quickly spread to an adjoining unit occupied by a gym club. 60 firefighters using eight appliances worked to put out the flames, with nearby residents told to keep all windows and doors shut due to thick smoke.

Junior doctors at Yeovil Hospital are on strike again today as part of a national five-day stoppage supporting a 35 per cent pay demand. Yeovil Hospital is advising patients to check their appointments are still happening before turning up for the appointment.

A charity that aims to improve library services says they should be protected from potential cuts here in Somerset. The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals say libraries are a 'vital' service. Thirteen out of 32 statutory libraries are volunteer-led in Somerset.

Plans have been submitted to convert an empty shop in Yeovil into flats. If approved, 107 Lower Middle Street will be turned into six flats across three floors. And, plans have been submitted for a Portakabin to be kept in use at a doctor’s surgery in Bruton. The Portakabin was introduced at the Bruton Surgery on Patwell Lane as a temporary measure to provide additional capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Owners, Symphony Healthcare Services Ltd, are asking for the Portakabin to remain in place for a further five years.

A feature film made by a lecturer at Yeovil College had its premier showing at the weekend. ‘Blue’ tells the story of a father and son working together as fishermen and was shown for the first time at Cineworld in Yeovil. David Smith wrote and directed it on a budget of just £5000.

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Thursday 30th October

Bird flu has been found at a nature reserve in Somerset, closing part of it down. St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset is calling for the hospice sector to be given more central funding. The Barrington Boar in Barrington has been placed 12th in The Good Food Guide’s list of 100 best pubs in Britain... and more
Wednesday 29th October

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.
Tuesday 28th October

Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more
Monday 27th October

The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more
Friday 24th October

New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more
Thursday 23rd October

Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more
Wednesday 22nd October

A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more .
Tuesday 21st October

Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid out compensation of £23 million for claims related to birth injuries. A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre...and more