Tuesday 12th August

Tuesday, 12 August 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A new 'family style' children's home for vulnerable children has opened in Somerset. Railway services between Yeovil and Exeter will run less frequently and at a slower speed from this week. A Crewkerne man has been given a one-year driving ban for drug driving. Chard Town Council says the public toilets near Sainsbury’s have been deep cleaned in preparation for re-opening them...and more.

A new 'family style' children's home for vulnerable children has opened in Somerset; the eighth of its kind in the county. The ‘Family style’ homes provide wraparound care for up to three vulnerable children. It’s a concept, pioneered by Somerset Council, that’s now being rolled out in other local authority areas.

Railway services between Yeovil and Exeter will run less frequently and at a slower speed from this week. The track on the Waterloo to Exeter line has been impacted by the hot weather, meaning that trains have to travel more slowly. Trains will, however, now stop at Crewkerne station.

Chard Town Council says the public toilets near Sainsbury’s have been deep cleaned in preparation for reopening them. The Town Council has taken over running the toilets in the Bath Street car park and has appointed a contractor to clean them daily, but hasn’t given a date when they will re-open.

A Crewkerne man has been given a one-year driving ban for drug driving. Pleading guilty to the charge before a Judge in Yeovil, Christopher Baker, aged 30, of Ivel Way in Crewkerne, also admitted driving without insurance or a licence in Crewkerne in January, earlier this year. Apart from the driving ban, Baker was fined £120 along with a £120 surcharge and £40 costs.

Somerset Council is holding a series of information days to recruit more foster families for children in care. One of the events is being held in Somerton next month, offering local people the chance to learn what fostering really involves. Full details and booking information can be found at somerset.gov.uk/fostering.

Toy chain, The Entertainer, which has a store on Middle Street in Yeovil, is handing over control of the business to its employees. In future, the company will be run by an employee trust, with staff getting a share of the profits and a say in how the business operates.

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Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more