Thursday 9th January

Thursday, 9 January 2025 at 05:00

By Steve Haigh

Police say three children, missing from their home in Essex, have been found safe and well in Wincanton. Yeovil Hospital is asking visitors to A&E to wear facemasks to help avoid the spread of infection. Long traffic queues can be expected in Chard over the next nine months. A new arts and music performance space has opened in Crewkerne...and more.

Police say a boy and two girls, missing from their home in Essex, have been found safe and well in Wincanton. It follows a public appeal issued by the Police earlier in the week to help find the three children after reports that they could be in the Somerset area.

Somerset Council has extended its Severe Weather Emergency Provisions due to the icy temperatures the County is experiencing. The scheme aims to help rough sleepers, with welfare checks being made on people who haven't asked for help.

Yeovil Hospital is asking visitors to A&E to wear facemasks to help avoid the spread of infection. It follows a sharp rise in patients being admitted with flu and other respiratory illnesses.

Plans have been submitted to change a former residential care home in Yeovil into flats. Developers, Yeovil Promise Ltd, want to convert the Ferns Nursing Home on St Michaels Avenue into individual living spaces. The change of use will involve demolishing some walls and the roof, re-colouring the windows and doors and extending the vehicular access and parking areas. The trees on the site will not be disturbed. The application is still currently awaiting a decision from the Somerset Council.

Long traffic queues can be expected in Chard over the next nine months due to major roadworks taking place in the town. The first phase of roadworks lasting until September got underway this week with the junction of Furnham Road and Victoria Avenue closed to motorists. Traffic signals at the junction of Furnham Road and Coker Way were taken out of action, and replaced with temporary lights. The changes are to allow for Wales & West Utilities to upgrade a mains gas pipe along Furnham Road and for Wessex Water to carry out improvements to the sewage network near Furzehill and Glynswood.

Registration has opened for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Cycle Challenge, which starts at Watchet and ends 55 miles away in West Bay.

A new arts and music performance space has opened in Crewkerne. The South Somerset Music Centre in the Methodist School Room on South St plans to host concerts and run workshops with the aim of enriching the town’s cultural offerings.

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Thursday 29th October

A Yeovil man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for attacking his mother with a knife. People in Chard are being reminded that it’s unlawful to attach flags to lamp posts and street furniture. Wincanton Racecourse has called off its 'Badger Chase Day' because the ground is too firm... and more
Wednesday 28th October

Leweston School near Sherborne has announced that it is closing with immediate effect. NHS Somerset could merge with neighbours in Bath and North-East Somerset and Dorset to cut costs. Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant has launched a campaign to get more people nominated for national honours... and more
Tuesday 27th October

Work has started building a new six-million-pound flood defence scheme in Taunton. Plans have been submitted to build a new church hall in Martock. People are being asked to donate gifts to this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal... and more
Monday 26th October

Eligible groups in Somerset are being encouraged to get their flu jabs. There’s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside Avon & Somerset Police’s control room. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, has visited Yeovil... and more.
Friday 23rd October

Somerset is the 11th most challenging place in England to be a child according to a report. Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire could have its own elected ‘Wessex Mayor’ by 2028. Cricketer, Ian Botham returns to the county this weekend... and more.
Thursday 22nd October

The NFU says that testing for the virus Bluetongue needs to be sped up. Construction of new flats on Yeovil’s Grimsby Corner site will officially begin next year. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind tomorrow... and more.
Wednesday 21st October

The owner of campsite in Somerset says a two-thousand-seven-hundred percent increase in business rates will be 'catastrophic' for his business. Plans to build nearly 300 new homes on the outskirts of Chard have been given the go ahead. Yeovil Town are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Leatherhead 5-2 at Huish Park last night... and more