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 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
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,
Tuesday 2nd December

A 33-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a serious assault in Wincanton. Fire crews have dealt with a house fire in the village of Pitney. Plans have been submitted to redevelop Bridgwater Docks into a cultural and tourist destination. Ilminster's annual Christmas tree festival has opened in the town...and more
Monday 1st December

New figures show that crime in the Avon and Somerset police area rose by 8% in the year to June. South Western Railway has restarted running hourly services through Sherborne, Yeovil and Crewkerne following months of disruption. Persimmon Homes South West has donated £1500 towards the running costs of Castle Cary Rugby Club...and more