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

    • Monday 15th June

      People in Somerset are being asked to take part in a new survey about alcohol use. Yeovil's MP Adam Dance will lead a debate in Parliament today on NHS dentistry. A Yeovil runner has been selected to represent England at a national endurance championship... and more

    • Friday 12th June

      It's claimed the increasing availability of drugs such as ketamine and cocaine has normalised drug use among young people in Somerset. The trial of a man accused of killing his one-month-old son in Chard begins today at Bristol Crown Court. A stone pillar outside the Langport Arms Hotel in Langport has been replaced after it was destroyed in a car crash... and more

    • Thursday 11th June

      Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to the three aircrew from RNAS Yeovilton who died in last week's helicopter crash in Devon. Two men have been arrested and stolen vehicles seized following a major multi-agency operation in South Somerset. An event highlighting opportunities for women in the aerospace industry has been held in Yeovil... and more

    • Wednesday 10th June

      The public will be consulted on how best to spend fifty million pounds of government funding to tackle flooding in Somerset. Avon and Somerset Police are backing a new road safety campaign aimed at reducing motorcycle fatalities. New welcome signs have been installed at entrances to the Mendip Hills National Landscape... and more

    • Tuesday 9th June

      The government has announced a £50 million investment to strengthen Somerset’s flood defences. A woman from Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been banned from driving for 14 months after admitting drink-driving. Somerset Council has been told it must improve its adult social care services... and more

    • Monday 8th June

      Plans for a new railway station in Langport remain stalled in Whitehall, according to Somerset Council. Plans to build 50 new homes in Broadway, near Ilminster, have been refused. The new water fountains in Yeovil’s Triangle, in Lower Middle Street, are being switched off during very hot weather because of safety concerns... and more.

    • Friday 5th June

      A new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne says it won’t start operating at full capacity until July due to staff shortages. Somerset Council says it has no plans to show England matches in the World Cup on the Big Screen in Yeovil town centre due to safety concerns. A Somerset family has been thanked after completing a 73-mile walk raising money for a third world charity... and more

    • Thursday 4th June

      An investigation continues today into the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter, based at RNAS Yeovilton, in which all three aircrew were killed. Somerset Council has confirmed that a new operator will take over several leisure centres across the county. The new live-action Masters of the Universe movie, filmed in Somerset, is released this week...and more

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Light rain

      High: 22°C | Low: 13°C

    • Chard

      Light rain

      High: 21°C | Low: 13°C

    • Crewkerne

      Light rain

      High: 21°C | Low: 13°C

    • Somerton

      Light rain

      High: 24°C | Low: 13°C

    • Wincanton

      Light rain shower

      High: 23°C | Low: 13°C

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