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

Monday 15th June

People in Somerset are being asked to take part in a new survey about alcohol use. Yeovil's MP Adam Dance will lead a debate in Parliament today on NHS dentistry. A Yeovil runner has been selected to represent England at a national endurance championship... and more
Friday 12th June

It's claimed the increasing availability of drugs such as ketamine and cocaine has normalised drug use among young people in Somerset. The trial of a man accused of killing his one-month-old son in Chard begins today at Bristol Crown Court. A stone pillar outside the Langport Arms Hotel in Langport has been replaced after it was destroyed in a car crash... and more
Thursday 11th June

Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to the three aircrew from RNAS Yeovilton who died in last week's helicopter crash in Devon. Two men have been arrested and stolen vehicles seized following a major multi-agency operation in South Somerset. An event highlighting opportunities for women in the aerospace industry has been held in Yeovil... and more
Wednesday 10th June

The public will be consulted on how best to spend fifty million pounds of government funding to tackle flooding in Somerset. Avon and Somerset Police are backing a new road safety campaign aimed at reducing motorcycle fatalities. New welcome signs have been installed at entrances to the Mendip Hills National Landscape... and more
Tuesday 9th June

The government has announced a £50 million investment to strengthen Somerset’s flood defences. A woman from Stoke-sub-Hamdon has been banned from driving for 14 months after admitting drink-driving. Somerset Council has been told it must improve its adult social care services... and more
Monday 8th June

Plans for a new railway station in Langport remain stalled in Whitehall, according to Somerset Council. Plans to build 50 new homes in Broadway, near Ilminster, have been refused. The new water fountains in Yeovil’s Triangle, in Lower Middle Street, are being switched off during very hot weather because of safety concerns... and more.
Friday 5th June

A new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne says it won’t start operating at full capacity until July due to staff shortages. Somerset Council says it has no plans to show England matches in the World Cup on the Big Screen in Yeovil town centre due to safety concerns. A Somerset family has been thanked after completing a 73-mile walk raising money for a third world charity... and more
Thursday 4th June

An investigation continues today into the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter, based at RNAS Yeovilton, in which all three aircrew were killed. Somerset Council has confirmed that a new operator will take over several leisure centres across the county. The new live-action Masters of the Universe movie, filmed in Somerset, is released this week...and more