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.

More from News

Thursday 30th April

More than 4,500 people have expressed interest in joining a new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne. Somerset Council says a long-term solution is needed to make Hendford Hill in Yeovil fully safe for motorists. A Somerset man has won first prize at the World Marmalade Awards... and more
Wednesday 29th April

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