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

    • 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

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Sunny intervals

      High: 19°C | Low: 11°C

    • Chard

      Sunny intervals

      High: 21°C | Low: 10°C

    • Crewkerne

      Sunny intervals

      High: 19°C | Low: 10°C

    • Somerton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 21°C | Low: 11°C

    • Wincanton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 20°C | Low: 10°C

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