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

Thursday 30th April

More than 4,500 people have expressed interest in joining a new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne. Somerset Council says a long-term solution is needed to make Hendford Hill in Yeovil fully safe for motorists. A Somerset man has won first prize at the World Marmalade Awards... and more
Wednesday 29th April

Somerset Council says Hendford Hill in Yeovil should be fully reopened to traffic by the end of May. Plans have been approved to build 40 new homes in Crewkerne. A huge pile of illegally dumped rubbish in Glastonbury has been cleared... and more
Tuesday 28th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision at Rimpton. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in South Petherton. Former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson has been retained as first-team manager of Taunton Town for next season... and more
Monday 27th April

A former school in Sherborne has been badly damaged by fire. A care home in Yeovil has been rated outstanding. ublic spaces in West Coker owned by Somerset Council are being handed over to the parish council. Mendip Golf Club has presented a cheque for £12,000 to Mind in Somerset... and more
Friday 24th April

Plans have been submitted to turn a property on Preston Road in Yeovil into a House in Multiple Occupation. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has been recalled to the England Red Roses starting line-up for tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations game against Wales. Three sisters from Yeovil will be running the London Marathon this weekend in support of Guide Dogs UK... and more
Thursday 23rd April

Helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton have completed six weeks of sorties, protecting Cyprus from attacks by Iran. People in Somerset who use domestic heating oil are calling on the government to regulate the oil supply industry. Patients are being invited to register at a new NHS dentist in Crewkerne... and more
Wednesday 22nd April

Expectant mothers are using Yeovil Hospital once again to give birth following the reopening of the maternity unit. A Yeovil man has been jailed for four years for committing sexual offences against two young girls. Plans have been approved to convert a pub in Milborne Port into housing... and more
Tuesday 21st April

NHS Somerset has delayed closing the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. A former Avon and Somerset Police officer has been jailed for making indecent images of children. A Somerset man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild animal with dogs... and more