Tuesday 29th April

Tuesday, 29 April 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

New figures have shown that registering as a new patient with an NHS dentist in Somerset is still just as difficult as it was six months ago. The go-ahead has been given to build 160 new houses on Station Road in Castle Cary. A sailor from South Petherton has been chosen to lead a team in the round-the-world Clipper Race...and more.

New figures have shown that it's still just as difficult to register as a new patient with an NHS dentist in Somerset as it was six months ago. Despite the government promising to rebuild NHS dentistry, analysis of the NHS Find a Dentist website shows that of 116 practices in Somerset surveyed, 105 are still not accepting new adult patients or patients under 17 years of age. In Yeovil, no NHS dentist is accepting new patients, and the situation across Somerset is exactly as it was in November when the last survey took place.

The go-ahead has been given to build 160 new houses in Castle Cary. Somerset Council has approved the development on Station Road, which includes 57 affordable homes. As part of the permission, developers Persimmon Homes will build a new primary school in the area.

A man who attacked another man in Yeovil, punching him to the ground until he was unconscious, has been ordered to complete 100 hours unpaid work. Arkadiusz Adamiec, aged 44, of West Hendford in Yeovil, pleaded guilty to assault when he appeared before local magistrates. Adamiec was also made the subject of a two-year restraining order and told to pay his victim £100 in compensation.

Police are investigating damage to the town's perimeter fences at Britten’s Field. In one incident, a bolt cutter was used to force open a gate. Anyone with information is asked to call the non-emergency number 101.

Junction 26 off the M5 in Somerset is to close for three weeks in June for resurfacing work. Traders around Junction 26 are worried about a loss of trade and have criticised Somerset Council for scheduling the upgrade over the busy summer period.

A sailor from Somerset has been chosen to lead a team in the world’s toughest endurance challenge. Amy Smith from South Petherton has been selected as one of ten first mates for the Clipper 2025-26 Race. The round-the-world race, held over 40,000 nautical miles, gets underway from Portsmouth at the end of August.

A new woodland classroom is to be introduced at Chard Reservoir. Tesco has given the Chard Reservoir Volunteer Group £ 1500 to create a portable classroom for children. The structure, built of rope and fencing and with a parachute tarpaulin roof, will be set up at various places for children to explore different areas of the reservoir.

More from News

Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more
Thursday 3rd September

Fifteen thousand people have signed a petition calling on Somerset Council to cancel plans for a huge data centre in Bridgwater. A nest of Asian hornets has been found in Somerset. More patients in Somerset are set to benefit from a hospital project aimed at restoring independence... and more
Wednesday 2nd September

Yeovil-based charity, School in a Bag, has started sending supplies to Nepal to help in the aftermath of the devastating floods. 6,000 people have signed a petition opposing plans for a new relief road in Chard. The Royal British Legion in Somerset is appealing for more volunteers to help run this year’s Poppy Appeal... and more