Thursday 1st August

Thursday, 1 August 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Overnight beds at Yeovil Hospital are being freed up thanks to a new bladder cancer treatment. Somerset Council is selling a business centre, office building and several regeneration sites in South Somerset to raise much-needed cash. A trail to encourage people across Somerset to support their local pub is back after five years...and more

Overnight beds at Yeovil Hospital are being freed up thanks to a new bladder cancer treatment. Over the past year, urologists have used a portable handheld laser device to treat small tumours. It's safer, less invasive and quicker than surgery, allowing patients to go home on the same day they receive treatment.

The families of three Somerset swimmers who, together with teammate Duncan Scott made history by retaining their Gold medal in the 4 by 200 m Freestyle, have paid tribute to the team. The quartet, which includes James Guy, Matt Richards, and Tom Dean, have become the first team to win Gold in two consecutive Olympic games.

A business centre, office building and several regeneration sites in Yeovil and South Somerset are being sold off by Somerset Council to help balance the books. Included are the Boden Centre, on Silver Street in Chard, Fiveways Resource Centre on Ilchester Road in Yeovil, Yeovil Small Business Centre on Memorial Road in Yeovil, and 92 acres of land at Thorney Marsh near Castle Cary. The government has permitted Somerset Council to use the proceeds from selling the properties to fund its day-to-day spending. ISomerset Council is selling off a total of 22 sites in the hope of raising between £17 and £21 million, over the next 18 months.

St John’s Almshouse in Sherborne is to get a major makeover – including the creation of a new tea room, alongside affordable accommodation. A joint scheme, involving the Almshouse and Sherborne Abbey, will see space retained for affordable accommodation, with the downstairs of the property becoming a tearoom. Other rooms upstairs will also be used for a young people’s centre and community group meetings. A public meeting for all interested parties to find out more and share views will take place at the Almshouse in the coming weeks.

A trail to encourage people across Somerset to support their local pub is back after five years. It's being run by the local branch of the Campaign for Real Ale with fifty pubs across the county taking part.

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Wednesday 28th January

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has announced plans to develop a new operational base on the Leonardo airfield in Yeovil. Several people have been rescued from their homes in Ilminster due to flooding. An £800,000 project is underway to restore two staircases at Montecute House...and more
Tuesday 27th January

Last week was the wettest seven-day period in Somerset for twelve years. NHS Somerset says it’s working towards making access to dental care fairer for all. A scout leader in Somerset has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to Young People...and more
Monday 26th January

A new group has been formed to challenge plans to build 100 new homes in Keinton Mandeville. Bridgwater Town Council has voted to increase its share of the Council Tax by 5%. Organisers of Yeovil in Bloom are appealing for young people to get involved in this year’s competition...and more
Friday 23rd January

New data shows that South Western Ambulance is one of the worst-performing ambulance trusts in England. Plans to introduce improved accessibility at Yeovil Junction station have moved a step closer. A community centre in Street is providing vulnerable people with a warm, safe place to meet...and more.
Thursday 22nd January

A new NHS diagnostic centre has opened in Yeovil. The go-ahead has been given to build a replacement school for Milford Junior School in Yeovil. A new 500-bed hotel-style campus is being planned to accommodate workers at the new Agratas car battery factory near Bridgwater...and more
Wednesday 21st January

Councillors have approved controversial plans to build four large carnival club sheds near Ilminster. Somerset Council says there's an increasing gap between the cost of education and the amount the government provides to run local schools. The Bridgwater Tidal Barrier, aimed at protecting homes and businesses from flooding, has been reduced in size...and more
Tuesday 20th January

Citizens Advice says thousands of people in Somerset have lost some or all of their council tax discount. The UK's first autonomous full-size helicopter, manufactured by Leonardo in Yeovil, has successfully completed its maiden flight. A new pharmacy has opened in Wincanton...and more