Thursday 31st July

Thursday, 31 July 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A bird flu surveillance zone has been imposed in Somerset. The go-ahead has been given to build sixteen new homes in Shepton Beauchamp. Year Four pupils at Herne View Primary School in Ilminster have been presented with dictionaries by the local Rotary Club...and more.

A bird flu surveillance zone has been imposed in Somerset. It follows the discovery of the most serious variant of bird flu – H5NI – on a poultry farm near Dulverton. A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been established around the farm. The Animal and Plant Health Agency is asking all bird keepers to remain vigilant and follow stringent biosecurity measures to prevent future outbreaks.

Yeovil MP Adam Dance is accusing the government of neglecting families in his constituency. New figures have shown that child poverty in Yeovil rose from 17.7% in 2019-20 to 20.4% in 2023-24. Mr Dance says too many children in his constituency are growing up in poverty, and the number is rising, not falling. Mr Dance has welcomed the government drawing up a new strategy to tackle child poverty but says children in Yeovil need help now and not a promise of action in the future.

The go-ahead has been given to build sixteen new homes in Shepton Beauchamp. Land off Piece Lane, on the northern edge of the village, between Ilminster and South Petherton, has been earmarked for the development. Six of the homes will be affordable and managed by the Abri Housing Association.

The catering team at Yeovil Hospital has won a top award for the food it serves. At the Public Sector Catering Awards 2025, they were presented with an Exemplar Status Award by NHS England.

One hundred and twenty meters of hedging in Ilminster will be removed if plans are approved to build houses off Canal Way. Developers Persimmon Homes South West want to take down the hedging, close to the Meadows Medical Centre, to make way for a new access road to the development. Somerset Council is expected to make a decision on the application by the autumn.

Year Four pupils at Herne View Primary School in Ilminster have been presented with dictionaries by the local Rotary Club. Staff at the school have thanked members of Ilminster Rotary Club for their support, helping to encourage learning both in and outside the classroom.

More from News

Tuesday 17th February

Avon and Somerset Police are asking the owners of replica guns to hand them in. It's claimed motorists in the Bruton and Wincanton area are paying out hundreds of pounds in repairs due to the poor state of local roads. And, Yeovil Town take on Aldershot at Huish Park tonight... and more
Monday 16th February

Yeovil MP Adam Dance has warned that the Westlands entertainment venue in Yeovil would be at risk should Leonardo not be awarded a government contract to build new medium life helicopters. A Chard woman has been given a suspended jail sentence for carrying a knife in a public place. A petition has been launched to slowdown motorists using Coker Way and Wyatt Way in Chard... and more
Friday 13th February

Somerset Council has dropped plans to close two town centre car parks in Yeovil. A Yeovil man has been charged with attempted murder after a woman was attacked in her home. The Environment Agency has committed to reviewing its water management of the Somerset Levels following the recent floods... and more
Thursday 12th February

The government says it's ‘working flat out’ to arrive at a decision on ordering a new medium lift helicopter with Leonardo in Yeovil. We’re being asked to suggest where new electric vehicle charge points should be installed in Somerset. A new project is inviting people to look up and help map Somerset’s night skies... and more
Wednesday 11th February

Somerset Council has been told it can’t raise council tax by more than 5 percent. Businesses in Somerset are being warned to watch out for fake £20 notes. A Martock man has successfully completed a parachute-ski jump off the top of Mount Snowdon.
Tuesday 10th February

Eye operations in Somerset have been cancelled, due to a private company running out of NHS funding to provide the surgery. A local MP is calling for the permanent installation of pumps on the Somerset Levels to reduce the flood risk. A £3 million pound project has begun to refurbish the grand organ at Wells Cathedral... and more
Monday 9th February

Multiple flood alerts and warnings remain in place across South Somerset following the weekend’s heavy rainfall. Work starts today repairing a sinkhole on Station Road in Castle Cary. A business in Crewkerne is closing after 50-years trading in the town... and more
Friday 6th September

Leonardo has announced a major deal to build helicopters in India. Campaigners trying to set up a new bus link to Castle Cary railway station from Glastonbury say they need 150 thousand pounds of council money. A community event is being held in Chard for charities and service providers to showcase their activities.... and more