Wednesday 19th June

Wednesday, 19 June 2024 06:00

By Steve Haigh

New figures have shown that Somerset has the lowest rate of delivered NHS dental care in the South West. A boxing glove made in Somerset and claimed to have been worn by Cassius Clay in his 1963 fight against Henry Cooper has been sold at auction in Chard. A helicopter built in Yeovil will be one of the newest attractions at this year's Glastonbury Festival...and more.

New figures have shown that Somerset now has the lowest rate of delivered NHS dental care in the South West. Somerset’s Integrated Care Board says that due to a shortage of dentists, around half the money allocated for NHS dental work in Somerset is not being spent, with the number of children seen by NHS dentists halving over the past six years. The Integrated Care Board says in 2017/18 more than 60% of children in Somerset were seen by an NHS dentist; now the figure is 32%.

Somerset Rivers Authority says an agreement has been reached between the Environment Agency and local landowners to progress improvement works to the King’s Sedgemoor Drain on the Somerset Levels. The works, aimed at strengthening local flood defences, have involved removing silt and clearing river banks, but due to a fall-out between the EA and local landowners, the final stages of the work have been delayed. Somerset Rivers Authority now says the two sides have patched up their differences and that work on completing the improvements will begin shortly. This includes improvements to the Chedzoy tilting weir and the Back Ditch outfall, which lie between Bridgwater and the Polden Hills.

A boxing glove made in Somerset and claimed to have been worn by Cassius Clay in his 1963 fight against Henry Cooper has been sold at auction in Chard.

A helicopter made in Yeovil will be one of the newest attractions at this year's Glastonbury Festival. The Sea King, built by Leonardo and now retired out of service, has been turned into a mechanical Dragonfly by Bristol-based artists Pip Rush and Bert Cole. Its final look is being kept under wraps until the festival opens in nine days.

A group of young footballers from Somerset are in Germany taking part in a mini Euro football tournament. The visit by members of Frome Town United's Youth Squad to Frome’s twin town of Murrhardt was timed to coincide with the Euros 2024.

Chard is gearing up for an invasion of Town Criers. Around twenty criers, representing towns and cities across the South West, will be in the town for the annual Chard Town Criers competition on Saturday, June 29th. The event begins with a procession of Town Criers in the High Street followed by the competition outside the Guildhall starting at 10.15 am. Amongst the six members on the judging panel at this year’s contest will be the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, Alexander Priest.

More from News

Thursday 1st May

There’s been a call for the Somerset Levels to be designated a National Landscape. A Yeovil man has raised £2,000 for a new school minibus at Fairmead School in Yeovil by running the London Marathon. Exmoor Ales, which provides cask ales across the region and beyond, is closing its Somerset brewery and moving the business to Surrey...and more.
Wednesday 30th April

The long-awaited refurbishment of Yeovil police station is finally to get underway this summer. Plans have been approved to build 185 new homes off Bunford Lane in Yeovil. Police have arrested three men in Yeovil for being involved in the supply of Class A drugs. A Somerset jockey has been named Champion Conditional Jockey of 2025...and more.
Tuesday 29th April

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.
Monday 28th April

Somerset Council is being criticised for taking too long to re-open Yeovil's Octagon Theatre. The Liberal Democrats have won a seat on Chard Town Council by one vote. Dates have been announced for this year’s illuminated carnival processions in South Somerset...and more.
Friday 25th April

Police are investigating the theft of a motorbike in Ilminster. Tributes have been paid to the former Yeovil Town player-manager, Cecil Irwin, who has died aged 83. Town criers from across the South West will be in Yeovil tomorrow competing for the loudest voice in the Yeovil Town Crier Competition 2025...and more
Thursday 24th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident in which a child was struck by a car in Yeovil. This week, a planning inquiry is being held into plans to turn a Somerset shopping centre into a retirement complex. A Somerset woman is planning to walk the 70-miles of Hadrian's Wall to mark her 90th birthday...and more.
Wednesday 23rd April

Tourism bosses in Somerset say they feel confident the County will have a good summer for visitors this year. A group representing care providers in Somerset is warning that some residential homes are at risk of going out of business due to rising costs. A Somerset animal charity has taken into care, three orphaned badger cubs...and more.
Tuesday 22nd April

The Care Quality Commission has given two GP practices in Yeovil a 'good' overall rating. According to insurers, AXA, thefts at commercial premises in Somerset are on the rise. Bus users in Somerset could see changes to the frequency of services when the new West of England mayor takes office. Martock is to host its first Pride event in June...and more.