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.

More from News

Friday 13th March

The first of the new medium lift helicopters being built by Leonardo in Yeovil for the RAF will be delivered in 2031. Somerset Council has launched a public consultation on planned new charges at its two hundred public car parks. More women in Somerset are said to be taking up walking football... and more
Thursday 12th March

A Yeovil headteacher says he’s concerned about plans to stop giving school holiday food vouchers to families on low incomes. The owner of Yeovil Town is calling on fans to be patient as he continues his overhaul of the National League side. A high voltage fault is being blamed for plunging 1700 homes into darkness in the Ilminster area... and more
Wednesday 11th March

Plans have been submitted to convert two properties in Yeovil into houses of multiple occupation. A new court date has been announced for a Yeovil man charged with attempted murder. An engineer who has worked at the Leonardo factory in Yeovil for 40-years has won a top industry award... and more
Tuesday 10th March

Police say a fire at the former Oscar Mayer food factory in Chard was started deliberately. Yeovil College says it would have been adversely affected had Leonardo not won the contract to build new medium-lift helicopters. A seven-foot dragon will be visiting towns and villages in our area during the next few weeks to promote Somerset Day... and more
Monday 9th March

Two Wildcat helicopters from 815 Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton have arrived in Cyprus to help protect RAF Akrotiri from further Iranian drone strikes. New figures show that 40 people were killed on Avon and Somerset’s roads in the last 12-months. A Somerset man has been recalling the day 60-years ago when he was a passenger on the last train on the Somerset and Dorset Railway... and more
Friday 6th March

Defence Minister Luke Pollard has been explaining why it took the government so long to confirm a contract for the Leonardo in Yeovil to build new medium lift helicopters for the RAF. Police are investigating a break in at a pet shop in Ilminster. Somerset Council is to stop using red ink on council tax reminder letters... and more
Thursday 5th March

Two military helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton are being sent to Cyprus to help bolster UK’s defences amid the US-Israel war with Iran. Yeovil Town Council is seeking legal advice over the closure of the hyper acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. Flood warnings have been lifted on the Somerset Levels... and more
Wednesday 4th March

A man has died in a fire in Wincanton. Somerset Council is planning further cuts of twenty-one million pounds to help balance its books. A campaign to raise £30,000 for a minibus has been launched in Chard... and more