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

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