Tuesday 19th May

Tuesday, 20 May 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A Yeovil man says his life has improved since having a new weight loss treatment. A pub near Chard is blaming increased running costs imposed by the government for the business closing. A Somerset woman has been left with facial injuries after coming off her horse when it was spooked by a driver overtaking at speed...and more

A Yeovil man says his life has improved since having a new weight loss treatment. Dave Pulford underwent a procedure in which he swallowed a balloon to help him lose weight ahead of gastric bypass surgery. He now wants to inspire others to get the life-changing treatment.

A pub near Chard is closing due to increased government-imposed running costs. The owners of the Candlelight Inn in Bishopswood say the cut in business rate relief from 75 to 40 %, the rise in the minimum wage, and the increases in employer NI contributions have all contributed to the decision to shut the pub permanently.

Police are appealing for the public’s help following an assault on the A303 between Sparkford and Wincanton. It happened at 10.50 am on Tuesday, April 1st, after two vehicles pulled into a layby following a road-related incident. Police say a man in a blue Volvo XC60 reportedly punched and threatened a man driving a white Range Rover. If you can help with dash cam footage or other information, you’re asked to please call the non-emergency number 101.

Rail passengers using Yeovil Junction, Sherborne and Crewkerne stations later this month have been told they won't notice any difference when the company that runs the trains changes hands. From May 25th, South Western Railway services will be operated by a new company, South Western Railway Ltd, as part of a planned transition into public ownership. South Western Railway says passengers will continue to see the same branding, same services, and have the same teams running their trains. All tickets will remain valid, including those booked for journeys after May 25th

A Somerset woman has been left with facial injuries after coming off her horse when it was spooked by a driver overtaking at speed. Becci’s horse, Barney, also fell and required surgery. Becci says she wants more done to educate motorists.

More from News

Friday 31st July

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service says July has been its busiest month ever for emergency calls. Police have recovered a 1970s Austin Mini pick-up stolen in Shepton Mallet. A specialist spinal injuries service at Yeovil Hospital has treated three hundred patients in its first year... and more
Thursday 30th July

The Environment Agency has declared a drought across Somerset as the hot weather takes its toll on the county's water supplies. Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic accident near Crewkerne. A bowls player from Yeovil has won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow...and more
Wednesday 29th July

Police have arrested two suspects in connection with a series of moped thefts in Chard. A combine harvester has been destroyed in a farm fire at Forton, near Chard. A bowls player from Yeovil has won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow... and more
Tuesday 28th July

The former Beales department store in Yeovil could be brought back into use as part of a wider masterplan for the future of the town. A yellow heat health alert is in place across Somerset from nine o’clock this morning until nine o’clock on Friday morning. A Somerset farmer says this year is the driest on his land since 1976... and more
Monday 27th July

Gooch and Housego, based in Ilminster and one of the town’s biggest employers, has been sold in a multi-million-pound deal to an American private equity firm. A father who shook his four-week-old baby to death at a house in Chard has been sentenced to life in prison. A doctor who works for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is one of five people to have jointly set a new world record for rowing around Great Britain... and more
Friday 24th July

Avon and Somerset Police are warning people to watch out for scammers posing as Amazon. The CEO of the company that provides Somerset's recycling is warning of a major incident if people continue to put used batteries in waste bins. A former Yeovil pub could be demolished to make way for a major hotel expansion.
Thursday 23rd July

The West Country is officially one step closer to being declared in drought. Somerset Council says it's remodelling its service after a children's home was closed following an inspection. A new McDonald's planned off the M5 at Bridgwater could create up to 120 local jobs... and more
Wednesday 22nd July

Two men have been jailed for stealing electrical items and cash from a property in Yeovil. Somerset Council has defended its use of Yeovil’s new performance area in The Triangle, in Lower Middle Street. Tintinhull Primary School, near Yeovil, has won a top national award for outdoor play... and more