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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Tuesday 14th July

A Martock machinery business has been bought out of administration saving the jobs of 15 employees. A Somerton man has pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving after a car crashed into a house in Martock. Drivers are being reminded that the A303 between South Petherton and Ilminster will be closed in both directions overnight from tonight... and more
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Friday 10th July

The inquest into the death of a sex offender has returned an open conclusion. A driver has been arrested after a pursuit across the county. Ilminster Arts Centre has held its 2026 Open Exhibition Prize Giving Event... and more
Thursday 9th July

A father who shook his baby to death has been convicted of murder. Local people at high risk of having oesophageal cancer can take part in a new NHS test. Cheddar Reservoir will be closed to the public until next Monday morning because of the extreme heat... and more
Wednesday 8th July

NHS Somerset is warning us to take care as a new amber heat-health alert comes into place. A Yeovil encampment of campervans could soon be evicted. Chard’s former Oscar Mayer site could become home to a new Aldi... and more