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

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      Somerset Council says Hendford Hill in Yeovil should be fully reopened to traffic by the end of May. Plans have been approved to build 40 new homes in Crewkerne. A huge pile of illegally dumped rubbish in Glastonbury has been cleared... and more

    • Tuesday 28th April

      Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision at Rimpton. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in South Petherton. Former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson has been retained as first-team manager of Taunton Town for next season... and more

    • Monday 27th April

      A former school in Sherborne has been badly damaged by fire. A care home in Yeovil has been rated outstanding. ublic spaces in West Coker owned by Somerset Council are being handed over to the parish council. Mendip Golf Club has presented a cheque for £12,000 to Mind in Somerset... and more

    • Friday 24th April

      Plans have been submitted to turn a property on Preston Road in Yeovil into a House in Multiple Occupation. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has been recalled to the England Red Roses starting line-up for tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations game against Wales. Three sisters from Yeovil will be running the London Marathon this weekend in support of Guide Dogs UK... and more

    • Thursday 23rd April

      Helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton have completed six weeks of sorties, protecting Cyprus from attacks by Iran. People in Somerset who use domestic heating oil are calling on the government to regulate the oil supply industry. Patients are being invited to register at a new NHS dentist in Crewkerne... and more

    • Wednesday 22nd April

      Expectant mothers are using Yeovil Hospital once again to give birth following the reopening of the maternity unit. A Yeovil man has been jailed for four years for committing sexual offences against two young girls. Plans have been approved to convert a pub in Milborne Port into housing... and more

    • Tuesday 21st April

      NHS Somerset has delayed closing the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. A former Avon and Somerset Police officer has been jailed for making indecent images of children. A Somerset man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild animal with dogs... and more

    • Monday 20th April

      Nearly one hundred roads in Somerset will be surface dressed this summer to prevent further damage. Almost all children starting primary school in Somerset in September have been offered a place at one of their top three school choices. People in Somerset are being asked to record wild mammals in gardens and other green spaces over the summer... and more

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Sunny intervals

      High: 21°C | Low: 10°C

    • Chard

      Sunny intervals

      High: 20°C | Low: 9°C

    • Crewkerne

      Sunny intervals

      High: 20°C | Low: 9°C

    • Somerton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 22°C | Low: 10°C

    • Wincanton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 21°C | Low: 10°C

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