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 7th November

A man from Yeovil has been jailed for eight years after being convicted of three counts of rape. Smoking rates in Somerset remain higher than in many other parts of the UK. Students at three schools in Yeovil have created a new shoe design for Clarks.
Thursday 6th November

The Supreme Court has ruled that building thousands of homes in Somerset has been "unlawfully held up". The Head of Holyrood Academy in Chard has described the building of a new primary school in the town as an ‘incredible opportunity’. A pub near Chard has been named one of the best in Britain by The Good Food Guide...and more
Wednesday 5th November

Members of the Unite union at Leonardo in Yeovil have called off a planned strike for today. South Western Railway says trains on the West of England Line will start running normally again at the end of the month. A memorial post box has been placed at the entrance to Crewkerne cemetery...and more.
Tuesday 4th November

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service says from today it will no longer respond to automatic fire alarms. School in a Bag, based in Chilthorne Domer, is sending 400 school bags to Jamaica, following Hurricane Melissa. Yeovil Town has paid tribute to former manager Colin Addison, who has passed away...and more.
Monday 3rd November

Plans have been approved to convert Old Viney Bridge Mill in Crewkerne to residential use. The go-ahead has been given to decommission Hinkley Point B nuclear power plant in Somerset. We’re being asked to provide food for hedgehogs that come into our gardens this winter...and more.
Friday 31st October

There's anger in Chard about a road diversion in place alongside two sets of roadworks through the town. A motorcyclist has been injured in an accident in Bruton. £100,000 has been donated towards re-opening Shepton Mallet’s Amulet theatre...and more
Thursday 30th October

Bird flu has been detected at a nature reserve in Somerset, resulting in the closure of part of it. St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset is calling for the hospice sector to be given more central funding. The Barrington Boar in Barrington has been placed 12th in The Good Food Guide’s list of 100 best pubs in Britain...and more
Wednesday 29th October

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.