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.

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Friday 12th December

The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.
Thursday 11th December

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Wednesday 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 9th December

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
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,