Thursday 17th July

Thursday, 17 July 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Yeovil MP Adam Dance says he has serious concerns about plans that could see the closure of inpatient beds at Crewkerne Community Hospital. Ilminster residents are being asked to vote in a referendum on adopting a new neighbourhood plan for the town. An event in which people take part in a race against horses is returning to Somerset later this year...and more

Yeovil MP Adam Dance says he has serious concerns about plans that could see the closure of inpatient beds at Crewkerne Community Hospital. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has confirmed that converting Crewkerne Hospital into a neighbourhood health centre, with the closure of all 20 inpatient beds, is under consideration. Mr Dance says if the changes go ahead, it will impact Yeovil Hospital and Somerset's other hospitals.

A Dorset man has been sentenced after admitting to being the cause of a fatal crash at Yeovilton. Cyrus Bailey, aged 20, failed to give way at a junction, colliding with a car driven by Christine Ibbotson in May last year. She died in hospital three days later. Appearing before magistrates in Yeovil, Bailey was given an 18-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months for causing death by careless driving.

People in Ilminster are being asked to vote in a referendum on adopting a new neighbourhood plan for the town. The vote, in which residents will be asked to support or reject Somerset Council using the neighbourhood plan to make decisions on planning applications, takes place on Thursday, August 21st.

The trial of a couple accused of murder and causing or allowing the death of their premature baby has heard that he would have been dead for at least 30 minutes before they raised the alarm. Two-week-old Brendon Staddon was found with injuries to his head and neck in the special baby care unit at Yeovil Hospital in March of last year. Daniel Gunter and Sophie Staddon, of no fixed address, deny charges of murder and causing or allowing the child's death. The trial at Bristol Crown Court continues.

An event in which people take part in a race against horses is returning to Somerset this year. Man v Horse has been running in Wales but this year a Somerset version will be held on the Quantock Hills in October.

More from News

Wednesday 16th July

A children’s play area in Ilminster has been closed on safety grounds after badger setts were found on the land. Somerset Council sold off £90m of property assets last year to help fight off bankruptcy. Crewkerne Community Hospital could be turned into a neighbourhood health centre...and more.
Tuesday 15th July

The fire service has blamed a discarded portable barbecue for starting a blaze at Ham Hill Country Park. A care home for people with autism and complex needs in Crewkerne has been rated 'good'. A seven-year-old Yeovil boy has set a new world record for completing the most number of consecutive sit-ups for his age group...and more
Monday 14th July

Somerset Council is warning motorists against scanning QR codes at its car parks payment meters. Chard Town Council is spending £10,000 on short-term youth provision over the summer months. Former Yeovil Town player Marcus Stewart says he wants to continue raising money towards finding a cure for motor neurone disease...and more.
Friday 10th July

A Yeovil woman has shared how she is still on the waiting list for a transplant, a year on. A Crewkerne community group saved two tonnes of food from landfill last month and gave it to residents in need. Yeovil Town have announced their fixture list for the 2025/26 season....and more.
Thursday 10th July

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a yellow heat health alert for the South West. A former Cherry Farm in Chard has donated its netting and high-tensile wire to Somerset Aid for Ukraine. Somerset Council is moving forward with its next phase of plans for the county...and more.
Wednesday 9th July

Demolition work at Yeovil’s Glovers Walk has been held up after two colonies of bees were discovered. Refurbishment of the town’s Dunelm store is underway. A teenager from Crewkerne has represented his country, winning a gold medal in a national boxing competition... and more.
Tuesday 8th July

Adam Dance, MP has challenged the Government over a "failure to tackle rising levels of child poverty" in South Somerset. A man in Chard has been evicted from a property in the town. Temporary changes are being put in place at Yeovil Bus Station... and more
Monday 8th July

Avon & Somerset Police are appealing for witnesses after a collision between a car and a house in Stapleton. A Yeovil man has run 31 miles from Ham Hill to Lyme Regis for Yeovil's 'The Hub'. A family feast is coming to Chard as part of the Somerset Food Trail Festival...and more