Thursday 20th June

    Candidates standing in the General Election in the Yeovil constituency have been talking about how they would tackle the shortage of NHS dentists. The Manager of Ferne Animal Sanctuary in Chard is sleeping rough for the next seven nights to raise money for the charity. A mobile food pantry is marking its first year of operations in Crewkerne and Chard...and more.

    Candidates in the general election in the Yeovil constituency have been discussing how they would tackle the shortage of NHS dentists. It follows figures showing that only half the NHS dental budget for Somerset was spent last year. Conservative candidate, Marcus Fysh, says they've increased payments to NHS doctors and are investing two hundred million pounds more in NHS dentistry this year. Liberal Democrat candidate, Adam Dance, says they would tax the most wealthy in society and reverse the tax cuts on the banks to fund more NHS dentists. Labour's Rebecca Montecute says they would give financial incentives to dentists to provide services in areas without NHS dentists. 

    The candidates standing in the general election in Yeovil are:

    • Steve Ashton, Independent
    • Laura Bailhache, Reform UK
    • Adam Dance, Liberal Democrat
    • Marcus Fysh, Conservative
    • Rebecca Montacute, Labour 
    • Serena Wootton, Green

    Somerset’s biggest wildlife survey has started. Somerset Wildlife Trust’s ‘Big Count’ is running at the moment and until Wednesday, June 26th. The charity is asking people to record sightings of all wildlife, particularly Goldfinch, butterflies, snails and even spiders, to develop a wildlife database for Somerset. 

    The Manager of Ferne Animal Sanctuary in Chard is sleeping rough for the next seven nights raising money for the charity. Kevan Hodges is doing it as part of efforts to raise one hundred thousand pounds needed to keep the sanctuary open. Kevan says he’ll be sleeping on the streets of towns where there are Ferne charity shops.

    A section of the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal that’s been closed to walkers for three years could finally reopen to the public in October. The Canals and River Trust, who manage the canal, closed the section between the Albert Street and West Street bridges in Bridgwater back in December 2021, over concerns about the safety of wooden beams straddling the canal, which date back to the 1970s. But now work to repair it could start as soon as late August with the route reopening in October.

    A mobile food pantry is marking its first year of operations in Crewkerne and Chard. Since its launch, the pantry, funded by social housing provider, Abri, has visited Crewkerne and Chard every Monday, giving local people the chance to buy food at reduced prices. The pantry can be found every Monday at Bishops Court in Chard, and in Crewkerne at the Scout hut on Furland Road, in Barn Close, at Bowhayes Lodge and in Severalls Road.

     

    More from News

    • Friday 12th December

      The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.

    • Thursday 11th December

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    • Wednesday 10th December

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    • Tuesday 9th December

      The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.

    • Monday 8th December

      Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more

    • Friday 5th December

      Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.

    • Thursday 4th December

      The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more

    • Wednesday 3rd December

      Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Sunny intervals

      High: 11°C | Low: 8°C

    • Chard

      Sunny intervals

      High: 11°C | Low: 9°C

    • Crewkerne

      Sunny intervals

      High: 11°C | Low: 9°C

    • Somerton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 12°C | Low: 10°C

    • Wincanton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 11°C | Low: 8°C

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