Wednesday 16th July

Wednesday, 16 July 2025 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

A children’s play area in Ilminster has been closed on safety grounds after badger setts were found on the land. Somerset Council sold off £90m of property assets last year to help fight off bankruptcy. Crewkerne Community Hospital could be turned into a neighbourhood health centre...and more.

A children’s play area in Ilminster has been closed on safety grounds after badger setts were found on the land. Checks at the Blackdown View play park revealed that badger activity in the area was rife. Somerset Council says that, due to badgers being protected, they’re unable to take any action to prevent them from digging further holes or to fill in the ones already dug.

Somerset Council sold off £90m of property assets last year to help fight off bankruptcy. The properties, bought to provide rental incomes by Somerset’s former district councils, include an office block in Taunton, a commercial unit in Gloucester, and a factory site in West Yorkshire. Somerset Council plan to raise a further £35m from property sales by March next year.

A school in Chard has been named best in Somerset for careers education. Manor Court Community Primary School was recognised for its outstanding approach to careers learning at the Somerset 2025 Careers Awards. Manor Court Primary School is part of the Preston Primary Academy Trust.

New gypsy and traveller sites could be allocated within the new Somerset Local Plan. Somerset Council says targets to address the permanent and transit site accommodation needs of the gypsy, traveller and travelling show-people communities of Somerset will be included in the new plan.. The Council is currently securing permanent transit sites for gypsies and travellers to incorporate within the new land-use policy.

Avon and Somerset Police has renewed its appeal for the return of stolen tools seized earlier in the year to their owners. Police say they still have a large number of unclaimed tools that they want to return to their rightful owners. Anyone making an application will need to provide the crime number given when reporting the theft, as proof of ownership.

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust says it’s looking at turning Crewkerne Community Hospital into a neighbourhood health centre. If implemented, it would likely mean the hospital losing all 20 of its inpatient beds. Chief operating officer for Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, Andy Heron, says they’ll be talking to local people about the best mix of services for Crewkerne Community Hospital, which they think is ideally placed to become one of the new neighbourhood health centres envisaged in the NHS 10-Year Plan.

A musical event held in Chard has raised £500 for a cancer charity. The sell-out concert by Blackdown Acapella at The Guildhall was held in aid of Target Ovarian Cancer.

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Friday 30th October

Wells Cathedral says it's having to get creative to bring in more money as financial pressures continue to grow. A convenience store in Martock has been allowed to keep its alcohol licence despite an employee working there illegally. Police have seized an illegally ridden e-scooter in Yeovil in response to concerns from local residents... and more
Thursday 29th October

A Yeovil man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for attacking his mother with a knife. People in Chard are being reminded that it’s unlawful to attach flags to lamp posts and street furniture. Wincanton Racecourse has called off its 'Badger Chase Day' because the ground is too firm... and more
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