Tuesday 21st October

Tuesday, 21 October 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid out compensation of £23 million for claims related to birth injuries. A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre...and more

Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. The eastbound carriageway, between Goldcroft and Sherborne Road, will close from Saturday, October 25th, until Saturday, November 8th. An alternative route will be available to motorists.

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Yeovil Hospital and Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, has paid out £23 million in compensation for claims related to birth injuries in the past 5 years. According to figures provided by Medical Negligence Assist, 56 claims were lodged, with 29 being settled. The data follows the announcement that an investigation is to be held into maternity services at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust.

A man from Chard has appeared in court charged with intentional strangulation. Appearing at Taunton Crown Court, Darren Wilkinson, aged 24, of Holyrood Street, pleaded guilty to committing intentional strangulation in February this year. Wilkinson was also charged with failing to comply with the notification requirements of the sex offenders register.

There was a sharp rise in reports of sexual offences in Avon and Somerset last year, with Yeovil experiencing its highest number of reports since 2022. The figures, collected by Sexual Abuse Compensation Advice, show that 7,652 rape and sexual offences were reported to Avon and Somerset Police in 2024. Yeovil received the highest number of reports, with 559 offences recorded in 2024.

A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre. St Dunstan's House will provide a venue for community activities, access to health and wellbeing advice and support for local groups.

Major roadworks on the M5 at Junction 26 for Wellington start this week to tackle flooding. National Highways is investing £5.9 million in improving drainage to avoid flooding on the verges and the carriageway. A 50mph speed limit is in place until February, with some overnight closures planned over the next four months.

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Friday 12th December

The Chief Executive of Somerset Council, Duncan Sharkey, has admitted to making mistakes in cutting jobs. Yeovil MP Adam Dance is supporting a Lib Dem initiative to introduce a new ‘Farm First’ training scheme. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has launched an appeal to help buy a second helicopter... and more.
Thursday 11th December

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Wednesday 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 9th December

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Monday 8th December

Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Friday 5th December

Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
Thursday 4th December

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Wednesday 3rd December

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,