Tuesday 1st July

Tuesday, 1 July 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A murder trial starts today of the parents of a baby boy who died in Yeovil Hospital. Somerset residents are being asked to keep an eye on elderly neighbours, with temperatures expected to reach the high 20s again today. A tiny black kitten has been found inside a crate of laundry delivered to a cleaning business in Yeovil...and more

A murder trial starts today at Bristol Crown Court of the parents of a baby boy who died in Yeovil Hospital. Daniel Gunter and Sophie Stadden, both of no fixed address, are accused of killing, or allowing the death of two-week-old Brendon Staddon. At an earlier hearing, Daniel Gunter and Sophie Staddon both entered not guilty pleas to the charges.

The first steel frames have been installed at the Agratas gigafactory site near Bridgwater, marking a milestone in the construction of the UK’s leading battery manufacturing facility. It coincides with the publication of the government’s new industrial strategy, which aims to boost the advanced manufacturing sector and accelerate the development of vehicle battery technology.

People in Somerset are being asked to keep a check on elderly neighbours as temperatures could reach the high 20s again today. An amber heat-health alert for Somerset remains in place until 6 pm today.

The Secret World Wildlife Rescue Centre in Somerset says it’s been dealing with an ‘unprecedented influx’ of young falcons. The charity says the birds have been brought in for rehabilitation after being rescued from places that include construction sites, quarries, and town centre rooftops.

Mark Wylie from Calne near Bristol won this year’s Chard Town Criers competition held at the weekend. Adrian Holmes from Litchfield came second, and John Pitt from Plymouth was third. Judy and Peter Campbell, who were visiting from Australia, came top in the best-dressed couple section.

A tiny black kitten has been found inside a laundry crate at a cleaning business in Yeovil. Industrial cleaners, CLEAN, on Copse Road at Lufton, says the kitten, who’s four months old, was found curled up, cold and hungry, inside the crate. She’s now being cared for at a local vet's practice and is recovering well. If you believe the kitten belongs to you, please call Clean on 0330 818 7001.

More from News

Monday 8th July

Avon & Somerset Police are appealing for witnesses after a collision between a car and a house in Stapleton. A Yeovil man has run 31 miles from Ham Hill to Lyme Regis for Yeovil's 'The Hub'. A family feast is coming Chard as part of the Somerset Food Trail Festival and more....
Friday 4th July

Charity shops in Somerset report that they have received donations of dirty clothing and even soiled nappies. Plans have been submitted to build a further fifty new homes in Crewkerne. The National Audit Office says extra government funding to improve bus services, including in Somerset, has failed to deliver an increase in passenger numbers...and more
Thursday 3rd July

Dorset County Hospital is preparing to handle an increased number of births from now until the end of the year, following the closure of Yeovil Hospital's Maternity Unit. A number of former and current serving military personnel are pursuing the Ministry of Defence for compensation. Vandals have damaged a wooden shelter at the recreation ground in Ilminster...and more
Wednesday 2nd July

Business owners in Chard say ongoing roadworks in Fore Street are hurting their trade. A vehicle has been destroyed in a fire at a farm at Charlton Mackrell. A new recycling scheme has been launched to support Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. Castle Carey has created a Scarecrow Festival...and more
Monday 30th June

The Care Quality Commission has published its report into the running of the maternity unit at Yeovil Hospital. A public consultation has been launched into plans to build 150 new homes at Horton near Ilminster. A Chard man has embarked on walking 75 miles across Somerset, raising money for the Devon Air Ambulance...and more
Friday 27th June

Yeovil MP Adam Dance is calling for Yeovil Hospital to be included in the government's national review of NHS maternity services. A Yeovil man has appeared in court charged with four counts of fraud. Yeovil Town players will be modelling the club’s new home and away strip at Huish Park this evening...and more.
Thursday 26th June

Thousands more music fans will arrive at Worthy Farm for the start of Glastonbury Festival. The government has granted Somerset Council a stay of execution, allowing it to defer a spending deficit on special needs education. A party has been held to mark the 100th birthday of a Somerset woman who has lived in the same house for 100 years...and more.
Wednesday 25th June

Businesses at the Cartgate services off the A303 near Yeovil say they feel threatened by Welcome Break Ltd's plans to build a new, bigger services area right next door. A man who lives in Tintinhull, found nearly double the drink drive limit, has been given a 20-month driving ban. Police are warning of fake tickets being on sale for Glastonbury Festival...and more