Tuesday 25th February

Tuesday, 25 February 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A new report says Avon and Somerset Police is struggling to cope with a big increase in cases involving the abuse of sexual images of children. Three primary schools in our area have been chosen to take part in a pilot of the Government’s free breakfast clubs for pupils scheme. A new TV documentary has captured footage of 50,000 starlings in a group gathering over the Somerset Levels...and more

A new report says Avon and Somerset Police is struggling to cope with a big increase in cases involving the abuse of sexual images of children. It blames a staff shortage, and calls for more investment in resources to tackle what it calls ‘this growing area of crime’. Avon and Somerset Police says it’s dealing with 70 cases a month involving the abuse of sexual images of children and expects the number to double in the next twelve months.

Three primary schools in our area have been chosen to take part in a pilot of the government’s free breakfast clubs for pupils scheme. They are St Mary’s and St Peter’s Church School in Ilton near Ilminster, Shepton Beauchamp Church School in Shepton Beauchamp, and Castle Cary Community Primary School in Castle Cary. The pilot, which is due to start in April, will see each school offering a free breakfast to all pupils, together with 30 minutes of childcare before the start of the school day.

Patients in Somerset with a condition that causes blurred vision can now access a new procedure in the county. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is the only one in the South West to offer the treatment for Keratoconus which causes the cornea to thin. The condition usually develops during teenage years and gets worse over time.

A new TV documentary has captured footage of one of the biggest group gatherings of starlings over the Somerset Levels. Presenter Mike Dilger says up to 50,000 birds were involved in the murmuration as they snacked on worms and beetles.

Women in the South West are being urged to book breast screening appointments. NHS Somerset says 27% of eligible women in Somerset are not up-to-date with being examined. Women aged between 50 and 71 are eligible for a free breast screening, every three years.

An Ilminster man has been recognised for his voluntary efforts at Ilminster Bowling Club Matthew Hamilton, whose role is to grow membership numbers at the club, has been presented with a Bowls England Unsung Hero Award. Matt also volunteers as Development Manager for the Somerset Bowling Association, helping other bowls clubs to grow their membership.

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The new owner of Yeovil Town says he’s in talks with Somerset Council about buying back Huish Park. Water levels at some of Somerset’s reservoirs are below what they should be for this time of year. A Chard woman has been recognised in the King's Birthday Honours... and more.
Friday 13th June

Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Chard, which left one person with life-threatening injuries. Texas Rocks in Middle Street, Yeovil, has closed temporarily following a significant fire. A Yeovil dental hygienist has been named as a finalist in the Ms Great Britain competition...and more.
Thursday 12th June

Yeovil MP Adam Dance has criticised the Chancellor’s Spending Review for not delivering real change for Yeovil and South Somerset. The CEO of Leonardo UK states that they’re working towards closing the gender pay gap within the company. Yeovil Town is relocating its first-team training camp to Bristol... and more.
Wednesday 11th June

People in Somerset are being asked for their views on the state of the county’s roads and footpaths. A trial is being conducted at Yeovil Hospital to investigate whether administering shorter courses of antibiotics to patients can effectively treat sepsis. Somerset Council says it has no plans to reopen a block of public toilets in Chard...and more.
Tuesday 10th June

A mother from Chard says schools need to do more to identify students with dyslexia. A fire in a van that caught alight at Stoke-sub-Hamdon is being treated as accidental. A former Yeovil-based police officer, who made it appear he was working when he wasn’t, has been barred from policing...and more
Monday 9th June

Somerset Council is giving £1.5m to Hill View Special School at Ash near Martock to prevent it from closing. Two men have been convicted of killing a Yeovil man they mistakenly believed to be a convicted paedophile. People across Somerset are being asked to make a note of any wildlife they see...and more
Friday 6th June

Community Speedwatch volunteers in Keinton Mandeville have stopped monitoring the local traffic because of online and verbal abuse. Redstart Primary School in Chard has been rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted. A care home resident in Glastonbury has raised more than one thousand pounds for Children's Hospice Southwest by knitting soft toys...and more.
Thursday 5th June

Yeovil MP Adam Dance says he’s been told the temporary closure of the maternity unit at Yeovil Hospital will not be made permanent. Firefighters have dealt with a fire on a coach carrying passengers at Vagg Hill in Yeovil. The authorities in Chile are holding a man who lives in Milborne Port after being found with class-A drugs in a suitcase...and more.