Thursday 7th August

Thursday, 7 August 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The owners of Yeovil Town Football Club say that they are hopeful of concluding a deal with Somerset Council to buy back Huish Park very soon. Hestercombe House and Gardens near Taunton has gone into administration. The Government is eyeing up the possibility of using brownfield land near railway lines in Somerset for house building...and more

The owners of Yeovil Town Football Club say they’re hopeful of concluding a deal with Somerset Council to buy back Huish Park very soon. Executive Chairman of Yeovil Town, Stuart Robins, says they’re in detailed negotiations about taking back ownership of the stadium and surrounding land from Somerset Council, who bought Huish Park in 2022 during a period of financial uncertainty at Yeovil Town.

Trains will start calling at Crewkerne station again from next Monday, but with a much-reduced service. Network Rail says the hot weather has impacted clay embankments on the Exeter to Waterloo line, making it unsafe for trains to travel at normal speeds. As a consequence, trains were stopped from calling at Crewkerne station on July 22nd.

Hestercombe House and Gardens near Taunton has gone into administration. The trustees of the 16th-century property blame a drop in visitor numbers and increased running costs, including the increases in employer NI contributions, for their financial problems. For the time being, Hestercombe House and gardens will remain open as usual.

The government is eyeing up the possibility of using brownfield land near railway lines in Somerset for house building. It believes up to 40,000 new homes could be developed on surplus brownfield sites near railway stations, depots and other infrastructure across the UK over the next 10 years. The Department of Transport says it can’t confirm at this stage whether brownfield sites close to railway stations in Somerset will be allocated for new house building.

A Somerset farmer says dog owners should practice training their dogs without livestock present. James Small, a member of Somerset NFU, was commenting on proposed new legislation to strengthen protections for farmers against livestock worrying and dog attacks.

The most popular baby names in Somerset in 2024 were Charlie, William, Harry and Oliver for boys, and Isla, Emily, Olivia and Amelia for girls, according to the Office for National Statistics. Muhammad was the most popular boy's name in England and Wales last year Olivia was the most popular girl’s name.

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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,