Thursday 27th November

Thursday, 27 November 2025 at 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

Friday 30th October

Wells Cathedral says it's having to get creative to bring in more money as financial pressures continue to grow. A convenience store in Martock has been allowed to keep its alcohol licence despite an employee working there illegally. Police have seized an illegally ridden e-scooter in Yeovil in response to concerns from local residents... and more
Thursday 29th October

A Yeovil man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for attacking his mother with a knife. People in Chard are being reminded that it’s unlawful to attach flags to lamp posts and street furniture. Wincanton Racecourse has called off its 'Badger Chase Day' because the ground is too firm... and more
Wednesday 28th October

Leweston School near Sherborne has announced that it is closing with immediate effect. NHS Somerset could merge with neighbours in Bath and North-East Somerset and Dorset to cut costs. Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant has launched a campaign to get more people nominated for national honours... and more
Tuesday 27th October

Work has started building a new six-million-pound flood defence scheme in Taunton. Plans have been submitted to build a new church hall in Martock. People are being asked to donate gifts to this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal... and more
Monday 26th October

Eligible groups in Somerset are being encouraged to get their flu jabs. There’s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside Avon & Somerset Police’s control room. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, has visited Yeovil... and more.
Friday 23rd October

Somerset is the 11th most challenging place in England to be a child according to a report. Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire could have its own elected ‘Wessex Mayor’ by 2028. Cricketer, Ian Botham returns to the county this weekend... and more.
Thursday 22nd October

The NFU says that testing for the virus Bluetongue needs to be sped up. Construction of new flats on Yeovil’s Grimsby Corner site will officially begin next year. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind tomorrow... and more.
Wednesday 21st October

The owner of campsite in Somerset says a two-thousand-seven-hundred percent increase in business rates will be 'catastrophic' for his business. Plans to build nearly 300 new homes on the outskirts of Chard have been given the go ahead. Yeovil Town are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Leatherhead 5-2 at Huish Park last night... and more