Dorset County Hospital is preparing to handle an increased number of births from now until the end of the year, following the closure of Yeovil Hospital's Maternity Unit. A number of former and current serving military personnel are pursuing the Ministry of Defence for compensation. Vandals have damaged a wooden shelter at the recreation ground in Ilminster...and more
Dorset County Hospital is preparing to handle an additional 300 births between now and the end of the year, following the sudden closure of the maternity unit at Yeovil Hospital. The Yeovil unit was shut on safety grounds in May, with expectant mothers given the choice of going to Taunton, Bath or Dorchester to give birth. Dorset County Hospital says it’s recruited midwives from Yeovil to help with the extra workload.
A number of former and current serving military personnel are pursuing the Ministry of Defence for compensation after developing cancer, which they claim was caused by exposure to fumes from helicopters. The aircraft involved are the Sea King, the Westland Wessex built in Yeovil, the Puma, and the CH-47 Chinook. Six claimants have settled their claims with the Ministry of Defence, who deny liability.
Work’s underway to repair damage to a wooden shelter at the recreation ground in Ilminster. The incident occurred on Tuesday night when vandals damaged the building's woodwork. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to please call Ilminster Town Council on 01460 52149.
Part of County Hall in Taunton is set to be converted into flats for NHS staff. The building known as C-Block was sold by Somerset Council in April for £1.7m to developers, Prime PLC, who’ve submitted plans to convert the building to 71 flats to accommodate staff at nearby Musgrove Park Hospital.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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,
A 33-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a serious assault in Wincanton. Fire crews have dealt with a house fire in the village of Pitney. Plans have been submitted to redevelop Bridgwater Docks into a cultural and tourist destination. Ilminster's annual Christmas tree festival has opened in the town...and more
New figures show that crime in the Avon and Somerset police area rose by 8% in the year to June. South Western Railway has restarted running hourly services through Sherborne, Yeovil and Crewkerne following months of disruption. Persimmon Homes South West has donated £1500 towards the running costs of Castle Cary Rugby Club...and more
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