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

    • Friday 12th December

      The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.

    • Thursday 11th December

      A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more

    • 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,

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Sunny intervals

      High: 13°C | Low: 11°C

    • Chard

      Sunny intervals

      High: 11°C | Low: 9°C

    • Crewkerne

      Sunny intervals

      High: 11°C | Low: 9°C

    • Somerton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 12°C | Low: 10°C

    • Wincanton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 12°C | Low: 11°C

    Recently Played