Thursday 2nd May

Thursday, 2 May 2024 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Voting is taking place today to elect a new Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset. NHS Somerset says the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital will stay open until a new replacement unit is built in Dorchester. A supermarket worker has retired after spending 52 years working at the same store in Ilminster...and more.

Voting is taking place today to elect a new Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset. Polling stations opened at 7 am and will close at 10 pm.
The candidates standing are:

Benet Allen, Liberal Democrats
Katy Grant, Green Party
Clare Moody, Labour and Co-operative Party
Mark Shelford, Conservative Candidate – More Police, Safer Streets

The Police and Crime Commissioner is responsible for producing a police and crime plan, deciding how the police budget will be spent, and holding the Chief Constable and Avon and Somerset force to account on the public’s behalf.

NHS Somerset says the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital will stay open until a new replacement unit is built in Dorchester. It follows concerns raised by the West Dorset MP Chris Loder that the new Dorchester unit will not be ready before the planned closure of the Yeovil unit. NHS Somerset says none of Yeovil's existing stroke services will close until the new Dorchester unit is ready to take patients, adding that it will take around 18 months to implement the proposals. Meanwhile, Lib-Dem prospective parliamentary candidate for Yeovil, Adam Dance, has called on the Health Secretary, to intervene in the decision to close Yeovil’s hyper-acute stroke unit.

A playgroup in Yeovil has been declared 'good' by Ofsted. East Coker Playgroup was rated 'good' in all five aspects that Ofsted uses to measure a school's success. Currently, East Coker Playgroup cares for twenty-four children, aged between two and four.

A supermarket worker has retired after spending 52 years working at the same store in Ilminster. Julie Hutchings clocked up 52 years, nine months, and three days working at the Co-op in Ilminster after starting out there at the age of fifteen.

Somerset County Cricket Club have confirmed they've appointed the England Women's CaptainHeather Knight to join the club's board as an advisor

More than eighty thousand pounds has been granted to the Red Brick Building in Glastonbury. The community society which looks after the building say the money from the National Lottery Heritage Fund will go towards its Industry and community projects.

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