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.

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Tuesday 14th December

New data shows that crime in the Avon and Somerset police area is at an all-time high. Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard has issued a warning to prospective pet owners ahead of Christmas. The owner of four pubs in Somerset has warned that many could be forced to shut unless the government reconsiders business rates...and more.
Monday 15th December

Toolstream in Yeovil has been put into administration, threatening the jobs of dozens of employees. NHS Somerset has issued a last chance call for people to get a flu jab after hospital admissions increased by 76% in a week. Police are investigating the theft of a bike valued at £7,000 in Sherborne... and more
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.