Wednesday 11th June

Wednesday, 11 June 2025 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

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.

People in Somerset are being asked for their views on the state of the county’s roads and footpaths. Questionnaires will be sent to 3,000 residents to compile the National Highways and Transport Public Satisfaction survey. This year’s survey, involving 111 local councils, offers an opportunity to compare results and identify areas for local authorities to collaborate in the future.

A trial is being conducted at Yeovil Hospital to investigate whether administering shorter courses of antibiotics to patients can effectively treat sepsis in critical care patients. The trial is being carried out with local support by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

Somerset Council says it has no plans to re-open a block of public toilets in Chard. The Council shut the toilets near Sainsbury’s in April, saying they could no longer afford to keep them open. Somerset Council states that it is open to working with a third party to take over the lease and reopen the toilets at a later date.

Driving instructors in Somerset say the DVSA needs to improve its system for booking a driving test. Currently, it can take up to 24 weeks to schedule a test date. For some learners in Somerset, November is the earliest date being offered to take a driving test.

And at the age of 91, a Chard man has raised £4,000 abseiling 20 meters at a quarry in Winscombe. Dick Arnold, a member of the Chard Rotary Club, completed the challenge at Sandford Quarry, raising funds for Tearfund, a charity working to combat global poverty. Dick, who’d previously abseiled when he was 70 and then again aged 80 and now aged 91, says his ambition of completing three abseils has been achieved.

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Thursday 29th October

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Wednesday 28th October

Leweston School near Sherborne has announced that it is closing with immediate effect. NHS Somerset could merge with neighbours in Bath and North-East Somerset and Dorset to cut costs. Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant has launched a campaign to get more people nominated for national honours... and more
Tuesday 27th October

Work has started building a new six-million-pound flood defence scheme in Taunton. Plans have been submitted to build a new church hall in Martock. People are being asked to donate gifts to this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal... and more
Monday 26th October

Eligible groups in Somerset are being encouraged to get their flu jabs. There’s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside Avon & Somerset Police’s control room. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, has visited Yeovil... and more.
Friday 23rd October

Somerset is the 11th most challenging place in England to be a child according to a report. Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire could have its own elected ‘Wessex Mayor’ by 2028. Cricketer, Ian Botham returns to the county this weekend... and more.
Thursday 22nd October

The NFU says that testing for the virus Bluetongue needs to be sped up. Construction of new flats on Yeovil’s Grimsby Corner site will officially begin next year. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind tomorrow... and more.
Wednesday 21st October

The owner of campsite in Somerset says a two-thousand-seven-hundred percent increase in business rates will be 'catastrophic' for his business. Plans to build nearly 300 new homes on the outskirts of Chard have been given the go ahead. Yeovil Town are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Leatherhead 5-2 at Huish Park last night... and more