Wednesday 17th September

Wednesday, 17 September 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The Environment Agency is being urged to rethink its decision to stop maintaining smaller rivers and streams in Somerset. South Western Railway, which runs trains through Sherborne, Yeovil and Crewkerne, has issued body cameras to more of its staff. Twelve new neighbourhood officers have joined Avon and Somerset Police...and more

The Environment Agency is being urged to rethink its decision to stop maintaining smaller rivers and streams in Somerset. The EA says it has to prioritise what it can deliver with the funding it has. Farmers and politicians have criticised the move, and now the Somerset Rivers Authority has called on the Environment Agency to carry out a formal impact assessment.

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust says it's vital they get the input of families to an investigation into maternity services at Yeovil Hospital. Yeovil is one of fourteen hospitals across England to be examined as part of a government review of NHS maternity services.

South Western Railway, which runs trains through Sherborne, Yeovil and Crewkerne, has issued body cameras to more of its staff. It follows an increase in assaults and abuse on SWR staff, with two incidents being reported every day. The cameras are aimed at deterring assaults and other anti-social behaviour, and will collect video evidence for use in legal proceedings.

Twelve new neighbourhood officers have joined Avon and Somerset Police. The recruits, 50% of whom are female and 17% from an ethnic minority background, have been recruited through the Police Now's Graduate Programme. As neighbourhood officers, they will specialise in local policing, directly working with communities to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, to build trust in the Avon and Somerset force.

A Chard accountancy firm is hosting a coffee morning to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. Lentells is inviting the public to its office in Chard Business Park, on Leach Road, on Thursday, September 25th, for the charity event.

More from News

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.
Thursday 4th December

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Wednesday 3rd December

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,