Thursday 27th November

Thursday, 27 November 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A new NHS dentist in Chard will start seeing its first patients next Tuesday. The go-ahead has been given to install five new lighting and CCTV columns on Milfield Road in Chard. Work is to start in January, replacing ageing traffic signals at the A39 junction with Clarks Village in Street...and more

Yeovil MP Adam Dance has welcomed news that a new NHS dentist will open in Chard next week. One Smile Dental will run the practice and plans to see its first patients on Tuesday. The registration process is due to restart before the end of the week, following higher-than-expected demand for appointments.

Symphony Healthcare Services is streamlining the way it runs its seven GP surgeries in our area. At the moment, Ilchester Surgery, Martock Surgery, and the Buttercross Health Centre in Somerton operate on separate contracts to Symphony’s four other GP practices in Crewkerne, South Petherton, and Stoke-sub-Hamdon. Symphony managing director Kerry White says from January, all seven practices will operate under one contract, enabling their medical teams to use a shared medical record system to provide more efficient patient care.

The go-ahead has been given to install five new lighting and CCTV columns on land in Milfield Road, in Chard. The site, owned by Numatic, is used for employee and visitor parking.

A date’s been announced for the start of work replacing ageing traffic signals on the A39 junction with Clarks Village in Street. Somerset Council says six sets of traffic lights spanning the intersection need to be renewed because they are more than 30 years old. The work will start on January 5th and last for up to 16 weeks. The road between Westway Roundabout and Street Roundabout will also be resurfaced, with a new path for cyclists and pedestrians added.

Yeovil Town’s new manager, Billy Rowley, has appointed Darren Simpson as his assistant. Simpson worked closely with Rowley during their time together at Walton and Hersham. Both will be in the dugout for the first time when Yeovil host Boston United at Huish Park on Saturday.

The finalists have been announced for this year’s Turnip Prize, held in Somerset every year, as a spoof of the Turner Prize, celebrating the silliest artwork made with the least amount of effort. Amongst this year’s finalists is a crushed beer can called ‘Bitter and Twisted’.

More from News

Wednesday 26th November

Workers at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil, belonging to the Unite union, have accepted a new pay offer of 8% over two years. Yeovil Town has appointed a new first-team Manager. A new NHS dental practice is due to open in Chard next month...and more
Tuesday 25th November

Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, is calling on the Chancellor to deliver ‘real economic growth’ for Yeovil in her budget tomorrow. The government has given Yeovil College £2 million to upgrade its engineering facilities. A Chard-based charity has sent 7,000 boxes filled with Christmas gifts to Ukraine...and more.
Monday 24th November

A church leader has warned that “irrevocable damage” will be caused to town centres if Somerset Council starts charging for Sunday parking. Fifty new homes are to be built in Castle Cary following a successful planning appeal. A call has been made for a memorial to the victims who died in a plane crash on the Blackdown Hills 80 years ago...and more.
Friday 21st November

A public inquiry is being held into plans to build a large solar farm in the village of Wayford. Fire crews have put out a small blaze at Tesco in Ilminster. Canadian firm KDC One is closing its Wellington factory, putting dozens of jobs at risk. It's Ilminster's turn to switch on the Christmas lights tonight... and more.
Thursday 20th November

Taunton Town Council has agreed to provide funding for five years to support the town's Brewhouse Theatre. The Environment Agency is warning that Somerset could experience a drought next spring if this winter is drier than usual. We’re being asked to look out for rough sleepers during the current cold snap...and more
Wednesday 19th November

Yeovil MP Adam Dance is calling for stronger preventative measures to stop sewage discharges into local waterways. Somerset Council is to provide three new children's homes across the County. Street Football Club has appointed a father-and-son team to manage the club... and more.
Tuesday 18th November

Somerset Council has set up a task force to help identify land for a permanent traveller’s site in the county. Police are appealing for information after a charity shop in Martock was targeted by burglars. A Somerset woman is seeking individuals with a connection to the armed forces to join a new amateur rowing club...and more.
Monday 17th November

Workers belonging to the Unite union at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil are threatening further strike action. Dunelm says its Yeovil store in the Quedam will reopen on Tuesday, December 16th. A nurse working at Yeovil Hospital has won a place in the final of Miss England...and more.