Thursday 25th September

Thursday, 25 September 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident in Chard involving a car that was being chased by police. A new NHS eye treatment service has opened in Yeovil. People are being asked to help write a new Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Somerset...and more

Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident in Chard. It happened on Avishayes Road at around 10.15 am on Friday, August 29th, when a car, being chased by the police, crashed. The car was being driven by a 21-year-old local man, who was arrested for driving while disqualified and without Insurance. If you witnessed the incident, please call the non-emergency number 101.

A new NHS eye treatment service has opened in Yeovil, providing support to individuals with wet age-related macular degeneration. The service, run from the Yeovil Ophthalmology Diagnostic Centre in the Quedam Shopping Centre, is currently registering new patients.

A Yeovil fitness instructor, named one of the strongest men in the world, is predicting a great future for the sport of bodybuilding. Gareth Penn, a personal trainer at GMP Fitness in Yeovil, won fifth place at the World Strongest Man Natural competition, held recently in Galway. He says bodybuilding is fast gaining in popularity.

A key flood defence in Somerset could be upgraded to cut the risk of flooding in communities further inland. The Somerset Rivers Authority wants to widen Highbridge Clyce as part of a series of wider measures, designed to reduce flood risk upstream from the River Brue.

People are being asked to help write a new Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Somerset. It’s aimed at protecting and restoring wildlife and habitats, targeting areas to achieve the most significant environmental benefits. The consultation can be viewed on Somerset Council’s website and closes on Friday, October 31st.

A road in Queen Camel will be shut for three days next week. Sutton Montis Road will be closed to traffic from Wednesday, October 1st, to Friday, October 3rd, to allow Openreach to carry out essential maintenance.

More from News

Friday 14th August

Police are investigating an incident in which obscene words were scratched onto the World War One memorial at Ham Hill. Yeovil MP Adam Dance has repeated his call for the upgrade of the town’s police station to include a custody suite. A Somerset carnival club is building a specially adapted float to allow a wheelchair user and her assistance dog to take part in this year’s carnival circuit...and more
Thursday 13th August

An Ilminster family is celebrating after winning one million pounds on the National Lottery. Police have released a picture of a man they want to speak to in connection with suspected frauds in Somerset. Somerset Council has opened a tendering process to find a main contractor for the £15 million upgrade of Yeovil’s Octagon theatre... and more
Wednesday 12th August

Experts say with good visibility forecast for this evening, people across Somerset should have some of the best views of the solar eclipse anywhere in the UK. A Somerset councillor is calling for the Stop Line cycle route between Chard and Ilminster to be better supported. It's 40-years ago this week since a Lynx helicopter built in Yeovil set a new World Helicopter Speed Record... and more
Tuesday 11th August

Wessex Water says a hosepipe ban is possible if customers fail to cut their water usage. A record number of illegal dog fights were reported in Somerset last year. Yeovil Town's Mason Obeng has won the traditional sack of potatoes, given to the player who scores Yeovil's first goal of the new season, as a lucky omen... and more
Monday 10th August

A local councillor claims anti-social behaviour is putting people off coming into Yeovil town centre. South-West Water has announced a hosepipe ban in the Chard area. Great Western Railway has apologised after a wheelchair user from Chard became stuck at one of its stations... and more
Friday 7th August

Chard's biggest employer, Numatic International, makers of the Henry vacuum cleaner, has announced job cuts. A new Neighbourhood Plan for Hatch Beauchamp has officially been adopted. Two historic artefacts taken from Glastonbury Abbey more than 70 years ago have been returned...and more
Thursday 6th August

A local man and convicted former neo-Nazi, selected by the Conservatives to stand in Crewkerne South in next year’s local elections for a seat on Somerset Council, has pulled out after a backlash against his candidacy. A charity that runs children's homes in Somerset is terminating its contract early following a critical report by Ofsted...and more
Wednesday 5th August

Avon and Somerset's Police and Crime Commissioner is backing the wider use of police drones in towns like Yeovil to help tackle crime. Visitor numbers at Somerset's tourist attractions are down by around sixty per cent so far this year. A gardening expert says it'll take much more than the occasional shower to revive Somerset's parched lawns, parks and open spaces...and more