Thursday 15th May

Thursday, 15 May 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has been asked to intervene in the decision to close the maternity ward at Yeovil Hospital. A man who lives in Winsham near Chard has been given a suspended prison sentence for breaching his sex offender notification requirements. Plans have been submitted to convert Dolphin House in Yeovil into 18 residential units...and more

The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has been asked to intervene in the decision to close the maternity ward at Yeovil Hospital. The sudden shutdown, which takes effect next Monday and that will initially last six months, follows an inspection by the Care Quality Commission that found safety risks within the paediatric department at Yeovil Hospital. The issue regarding the decision to shut the unit was raised in the House of Commons during Prime Minister’s questions by Yeovil MP Adam Dance. After the unit closes, expectant mothers will have to travel to the County Hospital in Dorchester, the Royal United Hospital in Bath or Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton to give birth.

The family of a Yeovil man is asking for the public’s help in finding him. Ciaran King, aged 22, who also goes by Ciaran Lucas, was reported missing on Boxing Day. He’s described as white, 5ft 8ins tall, of slim build, with tattoos on both arms and his neck. If you know of Ciaran’s whereabouts, you’re asked to please call the non-emergency number 101.

Plans have been submitted to convert Dolphin House in Yeovil into 18 residential units.. Dolphin House in Hendford adjoins a mid-terraced property and Yeovil’s Masonic Hall. Each units will consist of one bedroom, a living room/kitchen space, and a shower room.

A man who lives in Winsham near Chard has been given a suspended prison sentence for breaching his sex offender notification requirements. A court in Yeovil was told that Christopher Reynolds had used a fake name to exchange messages on the networking app Grindr. Reynolds, aged 63, of Davies Close, Winsham, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with his notification requirements. He was sentenced to 16 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months on condition that he does not commit any further offences.

Several care homes in Somerset are to trial a new type of alarm system to help reduce falls. The Nobi smart lighting system will be installed at four care homes and is designed to immediately alert carers when a resident falls to ensure assistance is got to them as quickly as possible.

Whites fish and chip shop in Chard has been named Chard and Ilminster News Fish and Chip Shop of the Year. Whites, on Boden Street, was the public’s pick as the best fish and chip shop in South Somerset in the Chard and Ilminster News poll. Palmer's Fish and Chips in Yeovil, and Vincent’s Fish Bar in Ilminster came joint runners-up.

More from News

Tuesday 1st July

A murder trial starts today of the parents of a baby boy who died in Yeovil Hospital. Somerset residents are being asked to keep an eye on elderly neighbours, with temperatures expected to reach the high 20s again today. A tiny black kitten has been found inside a crate of laundry delivered to a cleaning business in Yeovil...and more
Monday 30th June

The Care Quality Commission has published its report into the running of the maternity unit at Yeovil Hospital. A public consultation has been launched into plans to build 150 new homes at Horton near Ilminster. A Chard man has embarked on walking 75 miles across Somerset, raising money for the Devon Air Ambulance...and more
Friday 27th June

Yeovil MP Adam Dance is calling for Yeovil Hospital to be included in the government's national review of NHS maternity services. A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with four counts of fraud. Yeovil Town players will be modelling the club’s new home and away strip at Huish Park this evening...and more.
Thursday 26th June

Thousands more music fans will arrive at Worthy Farm for the start of Glastonbury Festival. The government has granted Somerset Council a stay of execution, allowing it to defer a spending deficit on special needs education. A party has been held to mark the 100th birthday of a Somerset woman who has lived in the same house for 100 years...and more.
Wednesday 25th June

Businesses at the Cartgate services off the A303 near Yeovil say they feel threatened by Welcome Break Ltd's plans to build a new, bigger services area right next door. A man who lives in Tintinhull, found nearly double the drink drive limit, has been given a 20-month driving ban. Police are warning of fake tickets being on sale for Glastonbury Festival...and more
Tuesday 24th June

There’s been a drop in the number of potholes being filled in on Somerset’s roads. A Somerset company has developed a new type of un-crewed helicopter. A man has cycled from Spain to Somerset to attend Glastonbury Festival...and more
Monday 23rd June

Plans have been submitted to build a motorway-style service station at Cartgate on the A303. Police are asking for the public’s help in tracing those responsible for two house break-ins in Yeovil. A Community Champion at Tesco in Chard has been rewarded for her work supporting the local community...and more.
Friday 20th June

A fire at Pen Mill Football Club’s ground in Yeovil is being treated as deliberate. A former Principal of Yeovil College has been awarded an OBE in the King's Honours List. The Met Office is warning of high pollen levels in Somerset as temperatures rise into the high 20’s...and more