Thursday 8th May

Thursday, 8 May 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Council says it's dealing with up to 800 reports of potholes on the County's roads every week. Events are taking place across our area today to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. Sixteen doctors’ surgeries in Somerset, including four in South Somerset, are set to expand. A Martock man hopes to set a world record by jumping off the world's fourth-tallest mountain in a wingsuit...and more.

The Lib Dem Leader of Somerset Council, Bill Revans, says the county's roads have been a victim of "perfect pothole weather." Councillor Revans says recent weather was partly to blame for the state of Somerset's road surfaces, which he admitted was "far from ideal." He says Somerset Council gets up to 800 reports of potholes every week.

Events are taking place across our area today to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. On this day, May 8th 1945, fighting in World War Two in Europe finally ended. In Yeovil, an event is being held at St John’s Church starting at 4:30 this afternoon, and everyone is welcome to attend.

Sixteen doctors’ surgeries in Somerset, including four in our area, are set to expand, providing more appointments to local patients. It follows confirmation of government funding to upgrade more than 1,000 GP practices across England. The surgeries in our area to benefit are:

Church Street Surgery, in Church Street, Martock
Church View Medical Centre, on Broadway Road, Broadway
Langport Surgery, on North Street, Langport
Wincanton Health Centre, on Dyke’s Way, Wincanton

The A30 between Crewkerne and Haselfbury Plucknett will be closed from 7 p.m. tonight to 6 a.m. tomorrow. This closure will allow patching works to take place before surface dressing later this summer. A diversion will be in place while the road is closed.

A Somerset man hopes to achieve a world record by jumping off the world's fourth-tallest mountain in a wingsuit. Tim Howell from Martock will attempt to break the record for the world's highest base jump, which involves jumping from a fixed object using a parachute or wingsuit, 8,300 meters from Mount Lhotse in the Himalayas. Tim last attempted to set a new world record jumping from the same mountain last year, but it was cut short by bad weather.

Entries are still open for this year’s Bristol, Bath, and Somerset Tourism Awards. The awards are a chance for tourism and hospitality businesses to show off their success and honour their teams. Entries close on Sunday, May 18th, and businesses are allowed to enter as many categories as they are eligible for.

More from News

Wednesday 7th May

The Interim Chairman of Yeovil Town, Stuart Robins, says the club is close to finding a new owner. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch is examining an incident in which a volunteer was struck by a wagon at the Gartell Light Railway centre near Templecombe. An Ilminster man has been charged with fox hunting. Councillor Tony Lock has been sworn in as the new Mayor of Yeovil...and more
Tuesday 6th May

A Somerset man is urging people with multiple sclerosis to be more open with friends and family about the disease. A week of events is underway in Somerset to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. Plans have been submitted to carry out major improvements to Dillington House near Ilminster...and more.
Friday 2nd May

Somerset Council has written to the government calling for urgent action to tackle the worsening situation of access to NHS dentistry in the county. The Mayor of Yeovil is urging people to join in with next week's celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. A Somerset father, whose daughter died suddenly aged 15 months, is starting a month of running 5k a day in her memory... and more.
Thursday 1st May

There’s been a call for the Somerset Levels to be designated a National Landscape. A Yeovil man has raised £2,000 for a new school minibus at Fairmead School in Yeovil by running the London Marathon. Exmoor Ales, which provides cask ales across the region and beyond, is closing its Somerset brewery and moving the business to Surrey...and more.
Wednesday 30th April

The long-awaited refurbishment of Yeovil police station is finally to get underway this summer. Plans have been approved to build 185 new homes off Bunford Lane in Yeovil. Police have arrested three men in Yeovil for being involved in the supply of Class A drugs. A Somerset jockey has been named Champion Conditional Jockey of 2025...and more.
Tuesday 29th April

New figures have shown that registering as a new patient with an NHS dentist in Somerset is still just as difficult as it was six months ago. The go-ahead has been given to build 160 new houses on Station Road in Castle Cary. A sailor from South Petherton has been chosen to lead a team in the round-the-world Clipper Race...and more.
Monday 28th April

Somerset Council is being criticised for taking too long to re-open Yeovil's Octagon Theatre. The Liberal Democrats have won a seat on Chard Town Council by one vote. Dates have been announced for this year’s illuminated carnival processions in South Somerset...and more.
Friday 25th April

Police are investigating the theft of a motorbike in Ilminster. Tributes have been paid to the former Yeovil Town player-manager, Cecil Irwin, who has died aged 83. Town criers from across the South West will be in Yeovil tomorrow competing for the loudest voice in the Yeovil Town Crier Competition 2025...and more