Thursday 11th December

Thursday, 11 December 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

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

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack on another man in Wincanton. Arthur O'Brien, aged 33 from Knowle in Bristol, was charged with causing grievous bodily harm and being in possession of an offensive weapon. The charges relate to an incident on Wincanton High Street on Sunday, November 30th. Mr O’Brien was remanded in custody and will next appear in court on Friday, January 9th.

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. Michael Dunk was one of several Just Stop Oil activists who climbed gantries on the M25 in November 2022 to demand an end to new fossil fuel projects. Somerset Council says Councillor Dunk’s disqualification from holding office does not take effect immediately upon conviction, but only applies after the period for lodging an appeal has expired or, after the conclusion of the appeal, he is unsuccessful. They say Councillor Dunk will remain a member of the authority until he either resigns or decides not to appeal his conviction.

A woman with MND is criticising Somerset Council over the time it takes to access applications for disability facility support grants. Nicky Jones says she’s been waiting more than six months for the Council to fit adaptations to her home. She says the application process for disability facility grants isn’t working and needs to change.

NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year. Under the changes, Yeovil Hospital will retain its acute stroke provision but from mid-2026 all hyper-acute stroke patients, who would have been treated in Yeovil, will be taken to either Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton or Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester, whichever is closer.

A Taunton man has completed 12 marathons in 12 months in memory of his mother. Peter Dunlop finished the year-long challenge this month in tribute to his mother, Jane, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2017. Peter raised £24,000 for Pancreatic Cancer UK by completing the 12 marathons.

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