Thursday 31st October

    Yeovil MP Adam Dance is raising new questions about closing the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. Somerset Council Leader Bill Revans says yesterday's Budget failed to address local government's financial challenges. Chard High Street will be closed to traffic this evening for a trick-and-treat event to be held...and more

    Yeovil MP Adam Dance is raising new questions about the decision to close the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. It’s due to shut in two years with services transferred to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton and the County Hospital in Dorchester. But Mr Dance, who’s fighting to save Yeovil’s hyper-acute stroke unit, says it has a stable workforce that is doing a good job, so why spend £4 million to close? Meanwhile, Mr Dance says he’ll continue to pressure the Health Secretary, Wess Streeting, to review the closure decision.

    Somerset Council Leader, Bill Revans says yesterday's Budget did not go far enough to address the local government's fundamental financial challenges. He says he was pleased the Chancellor referenced some areas of concern, but on the bigger issue of funding adult social care, no proper help was given. Councillor Revans says a major disappointment was confirmation that dualling the A358 between Ilminster and Taunton has been dropped.

    Ilminster-based systems manufacturer, Gooch and Housego, has acquired the component manufacturer, Phoenix Optical for £6.8 million. Gooch and Housego, who employ around 250 people say the acquisition will accelerate its reach in the UK and European aerospace and defence markets.

    Chard Community Hub is appealing for donations of food and toiletries to its Community Fridge project. It says with rising living costs and changes to Winter Fuel Payments, the appeal is more crucial than ever. Items they’d like donated include tinned vegetables, meat, such as ham and tinned tuna, tea, coffee and sugar, and toiletries. All items must be unopened and in-date.

    Chard High Street will be closed to traffic this evening for a trick-and-treat event. The night kicks off with a dance performance by the Kelly Leigh School of Dance, followed by a pumpkin carving competition and a spooky disco at the Guildhall. 

    A new boarding facility for dogs and cats has opened at Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard. To make it comfortable, the dog kennels are fitted with under-floor heating, while gentle music plays in the cattery to calm the cats.

    More from News

    • Thursday 30th October

      Bird flu has been found at a nature reserve in Somerset, closing part of it down. St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset is calling for the hospice sector to be given more central funding. The Barrington Boar in Barrington has been placed 12th in The Good Food Guide’s list of 100 best pubs in Britain... and more

    • Wednesday 29th October

      Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.

    • Tuesday 28th October

      Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more

    • Monday 27th October

      The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more

    • Friday 24th October

      New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more

    • Thursday 23rd October

      Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more

    • Wednesday 22nd October

      A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more .

    • Tuesday 21st October

      Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid out compensation of £23 million for claims related to birth injuries. A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre...and more

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Low-level cloud

      High: 13°C | Low: 12°C

    • Chard

      Heavy Rain

      High: 14°C | Low: 12°C

    • Crewkerne

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      High: 14°C | Low: 12°C

    • Somerton

      Medium-level cloud

      High: 14°C | Low: 12°C

    • Wincanton

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      High: 13°C | Low: 12°C

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