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

Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more