Monday 29th September

Monday, 29 September 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A Yeovil woman, who’s visually impaired, says she’s had to stop using Pen Mill station because no staff are available. NHS Somerset says a final decision on the relaunch of maternity services at Yeovil Hospital will be made in October. A woman in Street is causing a stir on social media after putting up a Christmas tree at her home...and more

A Yeovil woman, who’s visually impaired, says she’s had to stop using Pen Mill station because no staff are available to help her get on and off the trains. Kath Vickery says it’s become impossible for her to travel by train safely, and won’t be using the Pen Mill again until GWR employs more staff at the station. Kath has now started a petition asking GWR to provide her with a staff member to navigate the station, board and alight from trains. GWR says it’s trying to fill staffing gaps at Pen Mill and has apologised for the inconvenience caused to passengers like Kath, who rely on staff assistance when using the station.

NHS Somerset says a final decision on the relaunch of maternity services at Yeovil Hospital will be made in October. The baby unit was closed in May due to safety concerns. A three-month review into the closure was carried out in mid-August, with NHS Somerset saying good progress was being made in recruiting additional staff. They’ve now confirmed that a further review will take place in October to set dates for the reopening the unit. Shepton Mallet Hospital, which treats NHS and private patients, is being extended to increase the number of operations it performs.

A £10 million scheme to reduce the flood risk on the Somerset Levels is nearing completion. A one-mile stretch of banking along the King's Sedgemoor Drain is being raised to improve drainage capacity.

Somerset Council is spending £3 million buying fifteen properties for families facing homelessness. The Council states that it will purchase additional properties to utilise in the same manner if the scheme proves successful.

A woman in Street is causing a stir on social media after putting up a Christmas tree at her home. There are three months to go before the big day, but Cassie Needles has gone viral on social media because of it. She says she's gone early, putting up a Christmas tree, because the summer is over.

More from News

Thursday 2nd October

Councillors have voted to go ahead with taking out a loan of £3.3 million to re-open Yeovil's Octagon Theatre. A cafe owner in Yeovil has started a petition to stop Somerset Council from selling off public car parks in the town. Chard boxer, Brendon Moore, will compete for a new world title later this month ... and more
Wednesday 1st October

Local MP, Sarah Dyke, is calling for the introduction of a national caravan licensing and registration scheme. Members of 40 commando based in Somerset have started legal action after being given ear protection they say was faulty. Children at Hatch Beauchamp Primary School have held a coffee morning, raising £300 for Macmillan Cancer Support.... and more
Tuesday 30th September

The go-ahead has been given to build eighteen new homes in Curry Rivel. NHS Somerset is claiming positive results from a pilot scheme aimed at cutting waiting times. A fashion designer from Somerset has hit the heights by having his collection modelled at London Fashion Week..and more
Friday 26th September

Lloyds Banking Group has announced that it is closing its Halifax branch in Yeovil. Avon and Somerset Chief Constable, Sarah Crew, is calling on the public to stand firm against hate. A helicopter from RNAS Yeovilton has been involved in tracking a Russian warship over the English Channel...and more.
Thursday 25th September

Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident in Chard involving a car that was being chased by police. A new NHS eye treatment service has opened in Yeovil. People are being asked to help write a new Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Somerset...and more
Wednesday 24th September

Yeovil Town says the sudden departure of manager Danny Webb won't affect the club's long-term plans. The Somerset family of a teenage boy with special educational needs say they can’t afford to pay for the specialist transport he needs to take him to school. A Reform UK candidate has won a by-election for a seat on Chard Town Council...and more.
Tuesday 23rd September

Two cars have been destroyed by fire in Martock. A Somerset cider maker says it's expecting a record-breaking apple crop this year. The Woodland Trust has awarded Manor Court Primary School in Chard a Gold Standard...and more.
Monday 22nd September

Yeovil Town’s recently appointed new manager, Danny Webb, has resigned from the role after only one game in charge. Workers at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil are threatening to walk out in a dispute over pay. Plans to build up to 765 new homes at Up Mudford on the outskirts of Yeovil could be halted by a judicial review... and more