Thursday 18th June

Thursday, 18 June 2026 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Children in care in Somerset are not receiving a good enough service, according to inspectors. NHS Somerset says dental care in the county is improving for the first time since the pandemic. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is holding a topless open-water swim...and more

Children in care in Somerset are not receiving a good enough service, according to inspectors. Somerset Council's children's social services have been rated as "requires improvement" in three out of the four areas examined by Ofsted. Inspectors highlighted concerns about the quality of support being provided to vulnerable children and families.

NHS Somerset says dental care in the county is improving for the first time since the pandemic. New figures show a three per cent rise in treatments over the past year, with 360,000 units of dental work carried out – that's around 10,000 more than the previous year. The NHS says the increase is due to opening three new dental practices in Somerset and additional investment to recruit NHS dentists.

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is holding a unique fundraising event – a topless open-water swim – aimed at raising awareness about the importance of performing CPR on women. The charity says some people are reluctant to apply CPR to women having a cardiac arrest, despite the need for immediate treatment being exactly the same as for men.

A Somerset man has been charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving while disqualified. Twenty-six-year-old Ryan Lampert, from Somerton, was charged following a collision in Martock in which a car crashed into a house, injuring two people.

Reservoir Road in Chard will be closed at its junction with Catchgate Lane between 8 am and 6 pm next Wednesday, the 24th of June, while a telegraph pole is replaced. Meanwhile, two roads in Yeovil town centre will shut overnight for Openreach cabling work. Union Street and Middle Street will be closed between Peter Street and Silver Street from 9 pm on Wednesday, the 24th, until 6 am the following morning.

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Friday 30th October

Wells Cathedral says it's having to get creative to bring in more money as financial pressures continue to grow. A convenience store in Martock has been allowed to keep its alcohol licence despite an employee working there illegally. Police have seized an illegally ridden e-scooter in Yeovil in response to concerns from local residents... and more
Thursday 29th October

A Yeovil man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for attacking his mother with a knife. People in Chard are being reminded that it’s unlawful to attach flags to lamp posts and street furniture. Wincanton Racecourse has called off its 'Badger Chase Day' because the ground is too firm... and more
Wednesday 28th October

Leweston School near Sherborne has announced that it is closing with immediate effect. NHS Somerset could merge with neighbours in Bath and North-East Somerset and Dorset to cut costs. Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant has launched a campaign to get more people nominated for national honours... and more
Tuesday 27th October

Work has started building a new six-million-pound flood defence scheme in Taunton. Plans have been submitted to build a new church hall in Martock. People are being asked to donate gifts to this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal... and more
Monday 26th October

Eligible groups in Somerset are being encouraged to get their flu jabs. There’s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside Avon & Somerset Police’s control room. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, has visited Yeovil... and more.
Friday 23rd October

Somerset is the 11th most challenging place in England to be a child according to a report. Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire could have its own elected ‘Wessex Mayor’ by 2028. Cricketer, Ian Botham returns to the county this weekend... and more.
Thursday 22nd October

The NFU says that testing for the virus Bluetongue needs to be sped up. Construction of new flats on Yeovil’s Grimsby Corner site will officially begin next year. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind tomorrow... and more.
Wednesday 21st October

The owner of campsite in Somerset says a two-thousand-seven-hundred percent increase in business rates will be 'catastrophic' for his business. Plans to build nearly 300 new homes on the outskirts of Chard have been given the go ahead. Yeovil Town are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Leatherhead 5-2 at Huish Park last night... and more